Stelios accuses Savage

Stelios Giannakopoulos has hit out at Robbie Savage's style of play and has urged the Blackburn Rovers man to concentrate on maximising his ability.

Savage has earned a reputation as one of the most combative players in The Premiership and his physical approach has not endeared him to his fellow professionals.

The Welsh firebrand was involved in an ugly confrontation with Manchester United duo Rooney_79586.shtml'>Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith in midweek in Rovers' Carling Cup semi-final.

There could be more fireworks on Saturday evening when Blackburn tackle local rivals Bolton Wanderers, live on PremPlus.

Trotters winger Stelios is expecting a rough ride at the feet of Savage, as he feels the Rovers midfielder concentrates on kicking opposition players.

But Stelios believes Savage should ditch his confrontational style and focus on playing football as he insists the former Leicester City ace has talent.

"Savage plays to stop players, but you can stop people by staying on your feet," Stelios told The Sun.

"You don't have to try to smash the other guy's legs.

"He is a professional and does the same job that we do, so why do that? Patrick Vieira stops players as well, just not in the same way as Savage.

"I don't like his type of play. Football is a game and you should just play it and enjoy it.

"I am just surprised Savage has never been sent off in his club career. If he played in Europe, he wouldn't even get past the first round!

"But he is a good player and he has talent, so I don't understand why he plays the way he does."