I think a bad end to the 2005/06 campaign really left a bitter taste in Wanderers fans mouths after losing out on that Intertoto place to Newcastle. 8th in the Premiership is still a great achievement though and us fans must remember that.
We said goodbye to two Wanderers legends after Sam Allardyce decided to release Bruno N'Gotty and Jay Jay Okocha after their contracts expired in the summer and both have found new clubs. So far, It looks like replacing them might be difficult. Kevin Nolan, Stelios, Kevin Davies, Ricardo Gardner and Abdoulaye Faye were probably the best players last season, but I think every squad member managed to contribute something to the season.
Even with a massive kitty Sam Allardyce has had a hard time over the summer in the transfer market. He bid £8.5million for Andy Johnson only to lose out to Everton at the last minute. And Johnson was only one of many deals to fall through in the crucial stages. Then a freak transfer deal saw Didi Hamann sign for us only to move on a day later to Manchester City after the German had a change of heart over a move to the Reebok. This though a good deal for Allardyce who gained £400,000 for his troubles. Mexican Jared Borgetti looks set to follow Radhi Jaidi out of the exit doors this week and with only 3 new signings Big Sam may need to work some of his deadline day magic if we are to have a squad capable of finishing in the European places.
Idan Tal, Abdoulaye Meite and Quinton Fortune are all good acquisitions for the club but we are low on numbers and with the growing amount of players on the treatment table, the fixtures at the start of the season seem to look tougher and tougher. Theres plenty to improve on from last season, I just hope we get off to a good start against Tottenham at the weekend as a bad result could hit us hard.
So to this season, a UEFA Cup spot? I'm not sure, I think realistically another place in the top ten would do just fine for most Bolton supporters.