After bowing out of the Premiership last season, the Whites have now got to quickly adapt to playing in a much more fairly rounded league where games come thick and fast – 2 games a week for the most part is a grueling fixture list, more so with the inevitable injuries & fatigue that is almost a guarantee to hit every club in the division.
Fortunately the Wanderers have managed to keep hold of most of their prized assets, pleasing to see the likes Martin Petrov - who would have probably been the first player on most people minds to leave should the Whites drop – step up to the mark and give a little bit back to the fans that backed the players through a largely disappointing season last time out.
Losing Jussi was probably the biggest player to move on, but the emergence of Adam Bogdan in the past 12 months have eased fears of a solid number 1 – something Bolton have been very fortunate with for some time now. Nigel Reo-Coker’s decision to trigger a release clause in his contract was a bit disappointing, he obviously didn’t want to roll his sleeves up for the club and fancied a move elsewhere which kinda leaves a bit of a sour taste, but no player is bigger than than the club and if their heart isn’t there to play, then it’s best they move on.
With Chungy back to full fitness, and Stuart Holden making strides to be pushing for contention in September/October those alone are similar to 2 top quality signings, players that could have potentially kept the Wanderers afloat last season – but will certainly play a major role in pushing Wanderers towards the summit of the Championship.
Although the division drop isn’t the best move both financially & for the fans, given the transitional state that Bolton keep flirting with at the start of the previous seasons, they now have the ideal opportunity to bring the younger players who’ve already shown what great prospects they are, the chance to step up to the first team. We’re sadly never going to be in the position of being able to buy our way to success, so need to rely on our own youth team to provide a platform for the team in future years, and thankfully we’ve a good crop of youngsters all now coming to the surface.
Adopting this next-generation step up in the Premiership would have almost certainly been a bumpy road, and could have been seriously damaging to the confidence of the younger players – whereas now they have the ideal opportunity to make the step up to regular first team football, whilst playing in a competitive but more winnable division – so although the heartbreak of relegation is a difficult one to swallow, for the progression of the club it could prove to be a necessary setback.
Owen Coyle & his players now have the chance to cement themselves in Wanderers folklore – if they hit the heights they’re expected with a couple of additions in key areas, then there’s every chance they’ll be knocking on the Premier door again at the end of the season. But as you’re can always be sure, they certainly wont make it relaxed viewing for us poor old fans.
Keep the faith & best of luck Whites.