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The Season Ahead Part Five : Bolton Wanderers

Published by Ian John on August 31, 2009

Prospects for 2009 :
Gary Megson’s men have not made the best of starts with three defeats in their opening three games before the international break. In a season that always looked likely to be a test for the Reebok stadium based side, Megson will know that their dismal points tally and 19th place position has put his side under pressure immediately to begin winning games. Otherwise this looks like being a season long battle against relegation.

2009 is a big season for :
Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Finnish international shot stopper is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and judging by the start to the season Bolton have had, he is going to have to be that good to keep his team in with a chance of avoiding the drop. He’s not getting any younger but goalkeepers are a breed apart and Jaaskelainen looks well capable of staying at the top of his game for many years to come. Bolton may well need his composure, shot stopping skills and organisational ability if they are to have any chance of improving on their poor start to the campaign.

Guaranteed to irritate in 2009 :
Kevin Davies. The big striker is, statistically, one of the most effective players in the Premier league and it is not difficult to see why. In a league dominated by subtle skills and clever passing, Davies all action, flailing limb style of football would perhaps have graced a less refined era. He isn’t afraid to bully, shove, push and battle his way for his team, often to the chagrin of opposing managers who seem to enjoy moaning about how physical he is far more so than coming up with an effective plan to deal with the striker. He probably wouldn’t be first choice for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and he may look untidy and ungainly at times, but he is invaluable to Bolton.

Things they’ll moan about in 2009 :
Well manager Gary Megson has already started his tirade after Sean Davis was sent off in the game with Liverpool at the weekend. “It’s clever when you’re running with the ball to slow down and for someone to clip your heels — it isn’t difficult to do that. It is clever to have that knowledge. Lucas did it in front of me in the first half, over he goes, did it in the second half, over he goes again — Sean you’re sent off. It’s frustrating because if the referee is going to fall for it, we’ve either got to accept it is going to happen to us or we’ve got to get better at making him fall for it for us. Or the referees have got to realise they are being had.” So “clipping his heels” wasn’t a foul in the land of Megson? That is laughable frankly, almost as laughable as the notion of Lucas Leiva slowing down still further. I have seen ice ages move more quickly than the Liverpool midfielder. If he was moving even slower and Davis still “clipped his heels” I would seriously recommend Davis getting his boots checked for lead weights, or playing without his shoelaces tied together.

Song that sums up their chances in 2009 : “I will survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Despite the fact that they are often dismissed as relegation fodder each season, I think Bolton have enough knowhow how to avoid the drop. Despite the poor start, Megson will pick up just enough points against the lesser sides in the division to keep his charges in the Premier league for another season, but it will be a close run thing.

Image Courtesy of ***Eamon Curry*** at Flickr.com

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