Gary Megson: Phil Gartside Told Me to Get Out of Europe
Thursday January 26th, 2012 | 2 Comments
We’ve heard some strange claims from Gary Megson in the past, but his most recent interview has the potential to be seriously explosive. Megson claims that, whilst manager of Bolton, the club’s chairman Phil Gartside “ordered” him to lose a UEFA Cup game and send Bolton crashing out of the competition.
Phil Gartside. Is that a smile or a maniacal laugh?
Many Bolton fans have issues with Gartside, but actively telling a manager to throw a game is something that even critics of the chairman will find hard to believe. Gartside has spoken on ‘Twitter’, rubbishing Megson’s story. In response to my ‘tweet’ reading “Megson claims “ordered” to lose in UEFA. You couldn’t make it up”, Gartside said “your (sic) right you couldn’t make it up but somebody has.” In response to another message, a clearly angered Gartside said “can’t believe he’s said that”.
The Bolton News has reported on the comments from the ex Bolton boss, and says that the club will not be commenting officially. Whilst you can understand the club’s position, this could well be a mistake; with many fans already demanding the chairman respond.
Gartside was accused of a “lack of ambition” by Sam Allardyce, in an interview given to the Telegraph’s Jeremy Wilson in August 2011, in which ‘Big Sam’ claimed the Bolton hierarchy “didn’t want” Champions League football. Megson is sowing seeds of discord in fertile ground and the club really needs to formally respond.
- Azreal88
Welcome Back Bolton Wanderers. We’ve Missed You
Wednesday January 25th, 2012 | 3 Comments
Once upon a long time ago, Bolton Wanderers were a team that no one liked to play. Sam Allardyce set his side up in such a way that it stifled opposition, that on paper should have been superior.
Members of the media, most of whom can’t think for themselves, may have dubbed it ‘not for the purist’, but Whites fans took pleasure in the reputation – and the results.
There might be a few more of these sold now.
All that ended with the arrival of Gary Megson. The Ginger One won one, drew one and lost all the rest, against the then big four. In the 2008-9 season, he managed one point from 42 against teams that finished in the top seven.
Some will argue that points have the same value, whether they’re achieved at the expense of title contenders, or relegation fodder. That may be mathematically correct, but it overlooks the morale boost that lesser teams get from turning over the big boys, for sport is about nothing, if not glory.
One of the criticisms levelled at Owen Coyle was that he had failed to arrest that losing trend, bar one late season win against an already demoralised Arsenal. After the way Liverpool were swept aside at the Reebok on Saturday, there is one charge less facing the man from Paisley.
A sober analysis might include the arguments that Liverpool, without Uruguay’s favourite racist are an ordinary side and that Kenny Dalglish inherited a squad some way short of Champions League potential that a summer spending spree has failed to improve. Then there’s Steven Gerrard, who has yet to regain much of his usual game, apart from whining and bitching to the match officials.
But sod that. The men in white were fully deserving of their victory and it should be celebrated. Underpinning a collective effort stuffed with commitment and fighting spirit were several worthy performances.
Adam Bogdan put his Chelsea nightmare behind with a solid display of maturity. The Hungarian international wasn’t called upon to perform heroics, but he handled his routine tasks well, some of which could have gone horribly wrong.
It has been suggested that he might have come off his line more quickly in order to prevent Craig Bellamy scoring, but such a view assumes that Bogdan can move at roughly twice the speed of Usain Bolt.
At the other end of the pitch, David N’Gog continued to progress in his role of lone front man, holding up the ball well and showing some clever touches. The Frenchman isn’t a natural goal scorer, but that will matter less if he can play in advancing midfielders as he did for Bolton’s opener.
Nigel Reo Coker has been criticised this season, not least on these pages. He still lacks an astuteness in reading the game, but starting with the away victory at Blackburn the former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder has played a leader’s role and exhibited the combative qualities that made Coyle give him a contract in the first place.
Game sorted. Now to do something about that hair cut.
However the stand out performer, not for the first time of late, was Mark Davies, who is at last realising his potential. Gone, is the tendency to drift in and out of games and his tackling and tracking back have improved beyond measure.
Mini Davo’s attacking abilities have never been in doubt, but he seems lighter, fitter and faster and is starting to enjoy his first injury free season in years. We’ll pause for a bit there, while readers find a piece of wood to touch.
Can Bolton maintain the improvement, that started at Ewood Park and has continued since? (although not without a hiccups or two) If so, then relegation which seemed a certainty a few weeks ago, may yet be avoided.
There are difficult games still to come, but the end of season run in, seems kind compared to the other drop zone contenders. If it’s really the hope that kills you, then Wanderers fans are once more in grave danger. No, that wasn’t a pun. Honest.
- Richard McCormick
Champions League Liverpool? You’re Having a Laugh!
Sunday January 22nd, 2012 | 9 Comments
Saturday saw a blustery evening at the Reebok, but it wasn’t the wind that blew Liverpool away. A new year has, it seems, brought a new Bolton Wanderers with it. A battling, energetic and imaginative display saw The Whites put three past the visitors and take three points off the Merseysiders for the first time since 2006 – when goals from Ivan Campo and Gary Speed put The Reds to the sword. It had been a long time coming, but this game was worth the wait.
Kenny Dalglish waves goodbye to the chance of a top four finish.
At first, it looked as though Bolton were going to make a slow start. Liverpool seemed relaxed and confident, whilst the men in white seemed nervous and gave the ball away far too easily. Liverpool’s dominance lasted all of 3 minutes, and then Wanderers took control of the game. Fabrice Muamba, whose new-found on-the-ball composure has been welcomed by all Bolton fans, fed a short ball to the feet of David N’Gog. N’Gog’s ability with his back to goal is starting to become telling, and his deft flick, whilst holding off the challenge of Martin Skrtle, gave Mark Davies licence to run. As Davies carried the ball forward N’Gog was off and running, forcing Agger to go with him with him and opening-up space in the heart of the Liverpool defence. With Skirtle lumbering in his wake and Agger on the back foot, Davies took full advantage with a trademark ‘jinky’ run giving him a sight of goal. Owen Coyle made comments in the press recently, in which he called on Davies to add goals to his game; Mark was clearly listening. A beautifully placed finish from the midfielder gave Wanderers the lead and sent the Reebok faithful into raptures.
Liverpool were visibly shocked, as were most Bolton fans to be honest, but Wanderers immediately set out to show the early goal was no fluke. Chris Eagles, who had a dreadful time against Utd at Old Trafford, looked like a man with a point to prove, and it was he who would worry Liverpool next. Eagles won the ball from Jose Enrique and set-off in determined fashion. Eagles would trouble Enrique all game with his energy and willingness to run with the ball, and he skipped away from the former Spain U21 international before drilling a shot across the face of goal. If Liverpool fans had seen the first goal as a freak, Eagles’ effort may have knocked them down a peg or two – if nothing else, it shut the usually boisterous Liverpudlian away fans up for some time. Maxi Rodriguez almost gave Liverpool something to sing about, as he got in behind from a long punt by Pepe Reina. It really should have been 1-1, but Maxi somehow contrived to ‘miscontrol’ the ball and then handle, earning Wanderers a freekick. It was a let-off for Wanderers and should have been a wake-up call for a defence playing a high line. › Continue reading
Maybe it’s Time for Tuncay Now
Wednesday January 18th, 2012 | 3 Comments
The Whites go into round four of the FA Cup on cruise control. Azreal is there to see the action and to make a suggestion to St Owen.
Bolton will play Swansea in round 4 of the FA Cup after enjoying a largely comfortable 2-0 win over Macclesfield Town at the Reebok Stadium. Macclesfield did well to force a replay with the Premier League side, but quality told on Tuesday night as the Wanderers eased to victory. It was a night of contrasts, as the old cliché “a game of two halves” was played out on the pitch. Bolton started well and dominated the first half, only to switch off after the break. Macclesfield, without home advantage, failed to really get going; but managed to put in a better display in the latter stages to give their fans something to sing about.
Lofty Junior demonstrates the fine art of levitation.
The League Two side were a goal down inside the first minute, after a poor pass by Jon Bateson rebounded off Ivan Klasnic. Bateson rushed back to clear, only to completely miss the ball and slip to the ground. Klasnic seized the opportunity and centred the ball to Kevin Davies, who slid in and managed to make a scruffy connection. The shot was close to Macclesfield ‘keeper Jose Veiga, but he contrived to fumble the ball and it squirmed into the net. It wasn’t classic football from the Whites, but Bolton will take whatever luck comes their way during a difficult season.
Wanderers’ second goal showed far more of their Premier League quality than had their first, and would have graced any game. Tuncay was fed the ball by Klasnic and set off at a canter, skipping through the challenge of Macclesfield’s Arnaud Mendy and sliding the ball to Petrov who was advancing down the left. The Bulgarian winger, who put in a real shift in the first half, still had plenty to do, but his first touch was good and his second teed the ball up nicely; allowing him to blast a shot goalward. The pace and swerve on the shot clearly surprised Veiga, who was beaten at his near post.
Wanderers didn’t look satisfied with 2-0, and sought to kill the game off in the first half, creating several more chances. Tuncay’s forays into the centre often lead to neat interchanges, and one such could easily have lead to Wanderers going three up. Ricketts fed the ball to Petrov, who was afforded time and space to pick his pass. The ball was played to the feet of Tuncay, whose deft heel-flick found Klasnic on the edge of the box. Had the ball fallen to Klasnic’s left, it would almost certainly have been buried past the visiting ‘keeper, but Klasnic is less adept with his right and his first time shot went wide of the post. Other opportunities presented themselves, but a lack of quality in the final third meant Wanderers were unable to breach Macclesfield for a third time. › Continue reading
What Future for the Bolton Wanderers Academy?
Monday January 16th, 2012 | 1 Comment
As Manny Road launches its new academy section, Azreal88 asks if Bolton’s youth system can come up with the goods.
The youth system at Bolton has long been a bone of contention amongst fans. Debates go back and forth about whether the academy is worth having, or even whether it’s possible for a club in our position to operate a decent development program. The North West offers budding footballers a dizzying array of potential clubs, and with some of the world’s biggest club sides having their pick of the talent Wanderers must sometimes feel like the proverbial small fish.
Two academy products and some little Greek chap.
The club’s failings at the academy level are clear when you look back at the number of home-grown players who have turned out for The Whites in recent years. The list is far too short, and lacking in real quality. Only one player of (almost) undisputed Premier League quality has come through in the last decade, that man being Kevin Nolan. Others have shown promise, but have ultimately failed to make the grade; with the likes of Nicky Hunt, Ricardo Vaz Te and Joey O’Brien making up that list. It’s perhaps unfair to include Hunt there, as he does boast over 100 games for the Wanderers; but a quick look at where he is now, probably speaks to a player who was being asked to perform above his level.
It is, therefore, unsurprising that Bolton fans no longer consider the youth system when they look at problems with, and potential in, the squad. With nearly a dozen senior players out of contract in the summer, many supporters already have one eye on the work ahead of us in the summer transfer market. The common worry is that the club won’t be able to bring in enough players to maintain “squad depth”, which these days usually means 2 players for each position; but does maintaining the depth of the squad put short-term needs ahead of long-term goals? How does a young player get a chance, when there are two (or more) experienced players ahead of him?
There’s great pressure on the club to bring in players during all transfer windows, but especially so in the summer. Fans grumble about how many ‘holes’ there are in the squad, and how ‘weak’ this or that position is, but it might well be no bad thing to be short of one or two squad players next season. It took injuries on a grand scale to get Joe Riley his bite of the cherry, and it seems we may have a decent prospect on our hands. Do we really want other youngsters to have to wait for the next injury crisis for that chance to shine?
When Coyle arrived at the club, he made a point of calling-out the academy for its lack of success and claimed that it could be scrapped if it didn’t “pay its way”. Owen also went to great lengths to put his record of developing young players into the public consciousness, and has continued to do so ever since. Well, the academy looks to be producing a better standard of player over the last couple of seasons, so it’s perhaps time for the manager to live up to his side of that particular bargain. There comes a time when a player has to be tested in the crucible of the Premier League. Some will melt away, but some will pass through that test and show their quality. Riley has taken his first steps down the path of success, and his reception by the Wanderers faithful should tell Owen and the club just how much this could mean to the fans.
Joe Riley. The first of many?
Joe is not the only player who has reached the point where he has to be given a chance. Adam Blakeman, Tom Eaves and Michael O’Halloran are all now of an age where reserve football is no longer enough for them. Loans would be an option, so their development could be monitored, but if suitable clubs don’t become available then the management will have to look seriously at incorporating them into the first team squad for next season. No academy will succeed unless the club to which it belongs is prepared to take a chance and ‘blood’ their young prospects.
Bolton’s debt has spiralled out of control in recent years. It now stands in excess of £100 million and is increasing annually at an alarming rate. Transfers for senior players are becoming more and more expensive, with agents now routinely expecting large wage increases every time a player moves clubs, along with a hefty fee for their services. There is seemingly no future in the transfer and development model the club has been operating. Costs must be cut, and money raised through player sales, if the club is to achieve long-term financial solvency; free from the drip-feeding of owner Eddie Davies. The simple fact seems to be that youth must play a bigger role in the club’s future than it has in the recent past, and the right time to start is now.
To attract the best young players, Bolton need to be able to show potential signings the success stories that have come out of the academy already; thus showing those players a realistic route for themselves in to first team football. The club has the facilities and the status to become a successful production-line for talented young players. All we need now is the vision.
-Azreal88
Bolton’s Cup Hopes Take a Beating
Thursday January 12th, 2012 | 1 Comment
Bolton went out of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night, despite putting in a solid performance at the Reebok. Saints were favourites to advance to the next round, but were made to work for it by a spirited Wanderers side, having to fight back from a goal down to secure victory.
Southampton's defenders had a distinct size advantage.
The Whites started slowly, with Southampton passing the ball well and leaving their opposite numbers chasing shadows. Bolton looked incapable of dealing with their opponents’ pace and movement, but Saints failed to find the final ball needed to really open-up the home defence. The young Trotters didn’t help their own cause, as Lewis Fielding sent every goal kick sailing towards the heads of the Wanderers’ strikers, who were dwarfed by the away side’s defence; resulting in little possession for Lee and Kelly’s boys.
However, Saints’ dominance was not to last. Bolton slowly came to grips with the pace of the game, and pulled themselves back into the match through sheer determination. As Bolton began closing-down swiftly in all areas, Saints’ neat passing game started to unravel. When Saints gave the ball away cheaply in midfield, it fell to the extremely impressive James Caton. Caton skilfully moved the ball forward and fed striker Zach Clough, who showed quick thinking and equally quick feet to return the ball to Caton, who had continued his run. It was bad luck that the pass sped just beyond him on the slick pitch, when he would have been through on goal. It was a sign of things to come from Caton, who had the beating of his fullback all night.
Southampton remained dangerous, thanks mostly to basic errors from the home side. A routine ball into the box was spilt by Fielding and fell to Jordan Turnbull. Turnbull’s snap-shot looked goal-bound, but Andy Kellett was on hand to clear off the line and save his goalkeeper’s blushes. It was Kellett’s first real involvement, but it was certainly not his last. › Continue reading
Bolton’s Young Guns Outshine the Old Hands
Tuesday January 10th, 2012 | 1 Comment
Bolton Reserves 1 Liverpool Reserves 1. Azreal88 reports from Leyland.
Monday night saw Bolton reserves host Liverpool at the Leyland ground, in a game with Jekyll and Hyde performances from both teams. Wanderers put out a side containing some experienced players who, you’d presume, were looking to impress Wanderers staff enough to warrant first team selection; it didn’t work out that way. In good playing conditions, it was two of Bolton’s ‘bright young things’ who impressed, with largely disappointing displays from their senior teammates.
Andy Kellett Goes one on one with Nathan Eccleston
Wanderers lined-up in a nominal 4-4-2 formation, with Tuncay and Blake apparently given a degree of freedom to roam. It was refreshing to watch two sides who clearly wanted to play football, both passing forward from the back and showing decent movement in midfield. Liverpool’s 4-5-1, switching to 4-3-3 at times, allowed for some lovely interchange in possession and forced Wanderers to stay compact for periods of the game.
A worrying early error from Dedryck Boyata, turning out at centre half for this one, was a sign of things to come. Boyata looked to put pressure on the ball near the halfway line, but instead saw the ball simply knocked past him and his man skip away from him and set off down field. It was the first of several embarrassing moments for Boyata, who seemed intent upon underestimating the pace and skill of Liverpool’s youngsters; it was largely a night to forget for the big defender, who is on loan from Man City. › Continue reading
The Year of the Un-Coyled: Part Two
Tuesday January 3rd, 2012 | 2 Comments
The new season beckons. Excitement mounts. Yeah right…
Comings and Goings
The summer transfer market was slow, with attempts to offload Gary Cahill for a handsome fee meeting with failure. The desire to get rid couldn’t have been more obvious if a small ad had been placed in the classifieds.
‘For Sale : Top class international defender. Two careful owners. All offers considered.’
For sale to a good home. Or any home, in exchange of a big sack of cash.
The bid from Arsenal was derisory and caused tension between the two clubs, while ‘Arry Redknapp, true to character, made enquiries a few minutes before the end of the window. The behaviour of the interested clubs was disrespectful to Bolton and to Cahill, who it should be noted, has behaved impeccably. He will move to Chelsea later this month with the best wishes of Whites fans.
Ali Al-Habsi was sold to Wigan, Matt Taylor to West Ham and Danny Ward to Huddersfield to give Coyle some working capital. Eight new players were brought in, some on loan. None of them can be considered an unqualified success. Note the polite phrasing of that last sentence.
Pre-season was overshadowed by the broken leg sustained by Lee Chung-Yong in a friendly at Newport County. When top flight sides play such fixtures against non league opposition there’s a tacit agreement that it won’t be an eyeballs out affair. A shame that no one told Tom Miller. Or maybe they did and he’s a psychopath.
The First False Dawn
Whatever confidence there was evaporated when the fixture list for 2011-12 was published. Five of the leading clubs were to be faced early on. QPR imploded in the first game of the season giving the Wanderers an easy 4-0 triumph and a creditable loss against Manchester City took place a week after.
Then it was downhill accelerating, with feeble performances against Liverpool, Manchester United, Norwich, Arsenal and Chelsea. The worst fears had been realised. › Continue reading
Bolton Wanderers 2011 – The Year of the Un-Coyled
Sunday January 1st, 2012 | 3 Comments
And so 2011 ends. A year in which Bolton started in sixth position in the Premier League, and finished in bottom place, needing close to a miracle to avoid relegation.
Mark Davies gets to grips with his defensive duties.
The last game, a home draw against fellow strugglers Wolves has aroused much anger, but there were signs of things on which to build. Owen Coyle’s side moved the ball around well at times and in recent outings Mark Davies has at last started to fulfil his potential as a creative midfielder, as well as improving his tracking back and tackling.
But the same defensive frailties remain and there is a lack of fire power up front, to which David N’Gog isn’t the answer, despite his other qualities. Even if the Wanderers put a consistent run of results together, there may simply be too much to do.
Off the field, things have been at least as bad. Burnden Leisure PLC, the parent company of Bolton Wanderers announced losses of £26 million bringing the total debt to £110 million. Some parties did well out of it. Moonshift Investments, a company controlled by club owner Eddie Davies which provides loan facilities, took £5 million in interest payments and is owed a £2.8 million ‘player success fee’. › Continue reading
Bolton, Aston Villa and a bit of Naughtiness
Friday December 9th, 2011 | 8 Comments
This week’s visitors to the Reebok Stadium are Aston Villa, a club that has contributed significantly to the downfall of Bolton Wanderers. Not necessarily through results, but by off loading their less gifted players in a north westerly direction.
The words ‘Zat Knight’ and ‘four and a half million’ should never appear in the same sentence (apart from this one) unless you’re counting reasons to dislike the lumbering oaf. But that’s how much Gary Megson paid for him. Those still wondering about the real reason Martin O’Neill left Villa now have their answer. He couldn’t stop laughing and had to take time off to recuperate.
This season’s abject West Midlands reject is Nigel Reo-Coker, who generally arrives at the scene a second after the ball has departed and kicks whoever remains there instead. His was a free transfer. It wasn’t value for money.
A ginger worshipper of Phil Gartside leads the Megson Out campaign
Going back a little there was Gavin McCann. To be fair to the badger, he had some good days, but as regular readers to this site know, his move had the stench of corruption about it. One court case resolved, another pending. Read Phil Gartside: “A Cheat, a Liar and a Fraudster” for more details.
Jlloyd Samuel arrived at the same time. Another disappointing acquisition. Another court case. This time involving the larger than life (and larger than everyone else) figure of Mark Curtis. Read The Ginger Harry Secombe Who Runs Bolton Wanderers for the facts.
Villa fans have a problem familiar to their counterparts at the ‘Bok. Their team is managed by an uninspiring ginger wazzock, who wasn’t wanted and still isn’t. A definition on the Urban Dictionary had the term ‘Ginger People’ nailed.
‘The hair colour that all thieves have in common. If you see a ginger, the chances are he already has many of your possessions.’
It’s been removed now. Shame that. Of course there may be ginger people who are honourable, talented, intelligent or just nice. It’s just that nobody has met one.
At least Saturday’s visitors have a striker in Darren Bent, who knows where the goal is. Bolton’s front men don’t appear to know where the stadium is of late, although according to the Daily Mail, Ivan Klasnic has been scoring in a different fashion. Now his wife is filing for divorce.
Add in a non functioning midfield and Keystone Cops defending and it’s easy to see why Bolton are joint bottom of the table. Of course Owen Coyle has had injuries to contend with and some astoundingly bad luck. But even with those mitigations he is doing less well than he should be.
A draw may be likely in this game. If only because it’s 24 league games since the Whites had one. Villa on the other hand have shared the points in five of their seven fixtures away from home.
However that result wouldn’t be much use to the Whites. A win is essential. Sadly, with the club is such disarray, it is difficult to see that happening.
- Richard McCormick
Useful links
Tags
Search Manny Road
