Season Preview - Bolton Wanderers

Manager – Owen Coyle

Stadium – Reebok Stadium 28,723

2010/2011 – 14th

It would be fair to say that Bolton Wanderers are still in the hangover phase of the post Sam Allardyce era. Since their return to the top flight in 2001 Wanderers have been relatively inconsistent with most of their highs coming under the guidance of ‘Big Sam’; leading the team to a League Cup Final in 2004 and a sixth place finish the following season. Since then the club has been fighting relegation and settling with mid table mediocrity. Former player Owen Coyle was the fans choice and eventual successor to the unpopular Gary Megson, who was relieved of his duties, in January 2010. Moving on to last season’s review and you can feel a sense of disappointment from a fans perspective, particularly with the first half of the season going so well. Having initially flirted with the possibility of a place in Europe, Wanderers slumped towards the end of the season, losing seven of their remaining ten games and a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Stoke City in the FA Cup semi-final standing out amongst these poor results. However, enough had already been done to secure a tenth straight season in the top flight for The Trotters.

Highlights of 2010/2011 – Coyle injecting some much needed confidence into the squad. Eye-catching FA Cup run reaching Wembley. Yet another solid season for Gary Cahill and emergence of Stuart Holden.

Lowlights of 2010/2011 – Disappointing end to the season after such high expectations during the first half. Humiliating FA Cup exit at Wembley after a good run.

What to expect in 2011/2012.

With Stuart Holden not expected to return to action from a fractured leg until October Owen Coyle will need to find a replacement for his star midfielder for at least the first few months of the new season. This appears to be in the shape of free transfer Nigel Reo-Coker who is set to hold talks with Owen Coyle after Bolton return from their U.S tour. Two other players that look to be heading to the Reebok are winger Chris Eagles, who looks to be replacing the likely departure of Matthew Taylor to West Ham United, and right back Tyrone Mears who both played under Coyle during his time as manager of Burnley. The manager has the tough task of keeping hold of defender Gary Cahill. With David Wheater and Zat Knight at Centre Back he already has a solid pairing but if one of the big clubs come calling then Coyle should be able to use the funds to find a suitable replacement. Coyle has been backed by the board who have faith in their man to make the signings the club needs. If he can build on the great first half of last season, cancelling out the inconsistency which plagued his sides’ form and run of results, with the right signings, they can expect a top half finish with ease.

Signings –

Darren Pratley, Swansea City – Free
Nigel Reo-Coker, Aston Villa - Free
Chris Eagles & Tyrone Mears, Burnley - £3million

Other potential signings –

Craig Bellamy, Manchester City - £4million

Robbie Keane, Tottenham Hotspur - £5million

Jeffren, Barcelona - £5million

Shaun Wright-Phillips, Manchester City - 5 million

Cameron Cerome, Birmingham City - 6 million

Scott Dann, Birmingham City - 8 million

Departures –

Johan Elmander, Galatasaray – Free

Matthew Taylor, West Ham United - £2.2million

Ali Al Habsi, Wigan - £4million

Daniel Sturridge, Chelsea – Loan Return

Rodrigo, Benfica – Loan Return

Jlloyd Samuel – Released

Joey O’ Brian – Released

Tamir Cohen - Released

Other potential departures –

Gary Cahill, Arsenal/Liverpool - £15million

Possible starting XI

4-2-3-1

Jaaskelainen

Steinsson, Knight, Wheater, Robinson

Reo-Coker, Muamba

Chung-Yong Lee, Holden, Petrov

Davies

New Signings

4-2-3-1

Jaaskelainen

Mears, Knight, Wheater, Robinson

Reo-Coker, Muamba

Chung-Yong Lee, Holden, Eagles

Davies

Without Holden/Alternative

4-3-2-1

Jaaskelainen

Mears, Knight, Wheater, Robinson

Reo-Coker, Pratley, Muamba

Chung-Yong Lee/Petrov, Eagles

Davies

Prediction

11th

With Johan Elmander’s contract expiring and Daniel Sturridge returning to Chelsea after his successful loan spell for the second half of the season, Owen Coyle will need to find a new striker that can support and fill in for his preferred lone man Kevin Davies. This can be done by the possible sale of Gary Cahill to one of the ‘big clubs’ as well as purchasing a defender to fill in the void left by the former Aston Villa man. I feel Bolton will be challenging for a mid-table place but with a number of sides with similar qualities spending big money it will be a tough task to achieve. Despite the double injury blow to Chung Yong Lee and Tyrone Mears, who have both suffered broken legs I feel Bolton's squad will be able to cope. The players have faith in their manager and if Coyle’s passion can wear off with the players on the pitch then I am optimistic for the forthcoming season for Bolton Wanderers.