Sam Allardyce made 11 changes to his side for Blackburn's FA Cup replay at Coventry with the Coca-Cola Championship side eventually booking a quarter-final date with Chelsea with Premier League survival the priority for Rovers.

Martin O'Neill and Harry Redknapp then fielded much-changed sides as Aston Villa and Tottenham both tumbled out of the UEFA Cup.

Robson, though, does not advocate such an approach, writing in his column in the Mail on Sunday: "I'm a big admirer of Sam Allardyce. I felt he should have been given more time at Newcastle.

"But sorry, Sam, I cannot agree with your decision to put out a reserve team at Coventry City when a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals was at stake.

"Blackburn have a crucial game at Hull City today.

"But I think the cup result has put extra pressure on them.

"Now they absolutely have to win the match for Sam's line-up to be justified."

The former England boss also questioned O'Neill's selection for the match against CSKA Moscow although he praised Mark Hughes after Manchester City advanced in the same competition.

"Aston Villa have not won a European trophy since 1982, so why did manger Martin O'Neill not give it his very best shot.

"I think Mark Hughes at Manchester City deserves praise for taking the UEFA Cup seriously.

"And if City get to the final while other clubs have a barren season, justice will be done."

The former Newcastle and Ipswich manager also warned such selections can be counter-productive, adding: "It will be fascinating to see the line-ups in today's (Carling Cup) final.

"Two years ago, I said Arsene Wenger should name his strongest side for the final against Chelsea, even though he had used his kids to get there.

"The reason was Arsenal needed a trophy.

"Wenger ignored my 'advice' and Arsenal lost.

"Now he is coming under pressure because the club have not won anything for three seasons."