Owen Coyle
A Visit From the Ugliest Team in Football
Sunday, September 26th, 2010 | BWFC Goals, BWFC People, Owen Coyle, Premier League | 2 Comments
Manchester United are today’s visitors to the Reebok with the home support not exactly in a confident frame of mind. The days when Bolton could put it up the big boys seem a long time ago.
Owen Coyle’s men have had a mixed few days. A creditable performance at Aston Villa, followed by a lethargic showing at Burnley. The latter demonstrated that the Wanderers boss hasn’t got much depth in his squad.
Meanwhile, up the road in Stretford, Alex Ferguson has spent the week playing hide and seek with Patrice Evra. United’s left-back hasn’t been the same since being terrorised by Kevin Davies in 2007 and is always a reluctant participant in this fixture. Last season, Evra’s fingers had to be prised off the door frame as he was dragged out of Old Trafford and onto the team coach. A similar scuffle is anticipated this time round with the Frenchman’s passport having been confiscated as a precautionary measure. › Continue reading
Should Bolton Cash in on Ali Al Habsi?
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 | BWFC News, BWFC People | 7 Comments
Ali-Al Habsi is a gifted player, but there’s logic in letting him leave…
It’s hard not to be amused by the situation at Wigan Athletic. Getting pasted by Chelsea is a fate that’s befallen quite a few teams recently, but being on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing at home to Blackpool can only be classed as utter humiliation. The Latics aren’t particularly significant, but the thought of their relegation has appeal. It’ll be like getting rid of a tramp who’s been sleeping on the doorstep.
Now there’s another reason for Whites fans to look at the Premier League’s least fashionable club. Bolton reserve goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi is currently on loan at the Dave Whelan stadium, and rumour has it that Roberto Martinez wants to make the arrangement a permanent one.
'Why are sending me to Wigan? Why?..........
Al-Habsi has had the misfortune of being around at the same time as Jussi Jaaskelainen, one of the top flight’s most consistent performers. The big Omani hasn’t let anyone down when called upon. He gave a fine display at Bayern Munich in the UEFA cup and performed heroically at the end of the 2007-8 season, when Jaaskelainen was injured.
So getting rid would be folly, right? Well, not necessarily. Bolton have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to goal keepers and Adam Bogdan, who made his debut in the League Cup tie at Southampton may prove to be the best of them.
‘I have belief in the lad, that is why we were able to let Ali Al-Habsi out on loan because I knew Adam was competent and ready to go in goal and he showed his qualities in this match.’, said Owen Coyle in an interview after the game.
Regular reserve team watchers already know how good Bogdan is. The Hungary under-21 international arrived in 2007 and it was clear even then that he was a cut above. He’s big, a great all rounder and commands his area well. Since then he’s had the benefit of Fred Barber’s coaching, and is now ready to make the step up.
It will be sad to see Al-Habsi go, but he deserves his chance at the top level, and he’s certainly an improvement on Kamikaze Kirkland, Wigan’s current incumbent. The current bid, thought to be £1.5 million must be rejected, but if the pie-eaters get realistic with their valuation then Owen Coyle should do the deal.
David Lee, The mighty Atom Speaks to Manny Road
Friday, April 16th, 2010 | Andy Walker, BWFC Goals, BWFC News, Bruce Rioch, Tony Kelly | 1 Comment
David Lee speaks to bwfcforum & Manny Road
Those of us of a certain age will have been fortune enough to have witnessed the rise following the fall of BWFC; from the dark depths of the Football league into the bright lights of the Premier League. Along that journey we saw some 
great players, great teams and great games and David Lee was at the forefront of that resurgence. After much nervous discussion we managed to secure his signature (albeit initially on loan) and his impact was instantaneous. He had pace, desire and a knack of making full backs wish they hadn’t bothered to come into work that day. He is now Bolton’s Assistant Academy Director.
He spoke to bwfcforum’s James Derbyshire:
You joined Bolton in 1992 from Southampton, did coming back to the North West play a big factor in wanting to move to Bolton?
It did yes, I had an indifferent time down at Southampton, I never really settled. When you’re a footballer you want to be playing regularly in the first team and I’d gone down with all expectations of being a regular, unfortunately things didn’t really work out for me. While I was down there, Bruce Rioch came to watch me play in a reserve game and gave me the invitation to come back and play in the north-west. To come and play back in the north-west was great, and obviously to come and play for Bolton Wanderers was just an added bonus.
You mentioned Bruce Rioch, what was he like to work with?
He was excellent. He is a disciplinarian, you knew what he wanted from you, he got every ounce of effort from you, and as long as you gave 100% regardless of whether you played good, bad or indifferent, he would stick by you. You’re not always able to play well every week but if you give 100% commitment that was what Bruce was looking for and he certainly got the best out of me. › Continue reading
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