Will Bolton Go Down?
Currently second last in the table with a single point more than Derby County and just one win in their twelve games, things are not looking good at all for Bolton Wanderers. With the ever loyal Nicolas Anelka (extreme sarcasm may be present) stressing every other day that he will probably be leaving Bolton in January, relegation is by no means a distant nightmare for a team who finished in the European qualifying places last season.
After the sacking of Sammy Lee due to Bolton’s shambolic start to the Premiership season, Gary Megson has improved results- but not by much. Bolton have picked up two draws in their past two games; while the latest one, a match against West Ham at Upton Park was tricky, the club really should have disposed of Aston Villa at the Reebok. Coming back to draw in the 90th minute against West Ham United would have been a great boost for the club, and fans will hope that this will be the jumpstart that their season needed; sadly, with the squad they have it does not look like anything other than the bottom half of the table for them.
When Anelka leaves in January (and I say when, because he certainly will), Bolton are screwed. Screwed really, really badly in fact, as Anelka is the one player they have that can create a goal out of nothing; their other players don’t even come close. With Anelka in the side, Bolton look potent up front (at times), and if they do not replace him with a similarly talented striker, which they do not have the funds to do, they will go down. A good bet for Megson if he’s still around would be to try and bring in Alfonso Alves from the Eredivise on a loan deal; how willing he would be to come is another matter altogether.
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Jason, are you for real?
The squad is the same one that finished 7th last seaaon minus Ben Haim and Faye.
Are you seriously suggesting that we’ll go down? If you are let’s have a little wager and see how much of an expert you are at the end of the season.
JASON IS FOR REAL!!! BOLTON GO DOWN!!!
Jason,
As a Man City supporter, I have often looked to Bolton in recent seasons as a model of consistency. It doesn’t appear the appointment of Megson stirred the enthsiasm of the supporters and probably not the players either in truth. That said, they did respond well at West Ham and it is too early to write them off. Anelka was loyal to City for 2 and a half years, but the model outlined to him by Keegan didn’t materialise, namely; The ambition of the board, promise of a new stadium and top 6 finishes. Well the first two did, but not the latter for one reason or another.
Anelka, while class and he did grab us 24 goals in 2003-4 to avoid relegation, can be lazy at times. I think he was misguided to go to Fenerbahce and then to return after 2 years, he is a class act but it doesn’t seem like the European giants will touch him because of the early problems in his career.
As for Alves, he scored 31 in 34 for Heerenveen last season, would you let someone like that out on loan? It was reported City have already tied up a £13m deal for him, but we’ll have to see what comes in January with regards to that.
Anyhow, I digress. It’s easy to be critical of Bolton but they have still picked up 2 points from 2 games, and while they are picking up points they will always be in with a shout. I can’t see Gartside having the cash to invest significantly in the squad come January, but with Giannakopolous, Diouf, Nolan, there is still the nucleus of a team that can cause problems.
Bolton could go down if no other reason than three teams will, and if not them who? It won’t be any of the teams currently in the top half, and spurs presumably will get to at least mid-table, which leaves 3 from 9, and Bolton are currently right down in it. A couple of wins and any team can climb out, even Derby, and if Anelka does leave arguably they’ve then not the scoring threat Derby clearly don’t have. I’d guess probably not but don’t see them beyond mid-table nor in the future. With no Allardyce the odds are they’ll go down eventually, like Wigan, and Blackburn without Hughes, when he hops off to OT?
Hey jason - I just happened to notice this article again.
I love this line especially:
“Bolton are screwed. Screwed really, really badly in fact, as Anelka is the one player they have that can create a goal out of nothing; their other players don’t even come close.”
Oops