Shock at the Reebok
Today we report on the amazing scenes inside the Reebok this week, it started with the mutual termination of big Sam Allardyce contact due to the BBC Panorama programme about bung payments. The film showed two agents claiming they paid bungs - illegal payments - to Allardyce, who has asked his lawyers to take "appropriate" steps,
The Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside said:
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We can no longer ignore these claims, so we have taken swift action to limit the danger to Bolton Wanders football club. Of course Sam Allardyce is disappointed about the action but he fully understands the decision we had to take due to the unrest of the players and fans alike. This will also give Sam the time he needs to build a case with his legal team to clear his good name against the BBC. We the board wish Sam all the best.
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Sam Allardyce released this statement:
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Obviously I'm denying all allegations that have been alleged against me. The matter's in the lawyers' hands and will be resolved by due process, I am very angry at the lies told about me. The individuals who appeared in the programme making accusations against me have already confirmed in writing to my lawyers they lied to the BBC.
I also understand Phil and the board’s decision and I would like to thank them for standing by me for so long but in the end the pressure got too much. Most of the fans have been really good to me but there are always a small percentage of fans that spoil it for the rest, so for the good club, players and true fans of this club I would like to thank them.
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New man in charge:
Bolton Wanders have wasted no time in appointing a new manager in the form of virtually unknown manager, Danny “Dunga” King has been appointed to the hot seat at the Reebok this afternoon after days of speculation. Alan Curbishley missed out on the job along with former Newcastle manager, Graeme Souness.
A London lad born and bred, life long Tottenham fan Danny King today was announced the new manager of English team Bolton. Having only experienced life as a professional full time manager at non league D&R and Barnet, King has a lot on his plate in his biggest managerial challenge yet. King, who has all the UEFA coaching badges, was announced the new boss this morning, in somewhat of a shock move. The Bolton board indicated while King has only ever managed two lower league English sides, but was also a coach at Tottenham, that his knowledgeable background and desire for the game was the reason he was given the post.
Many Bolton fans are rumored to be very unhappy with the decision to bring in such an inexperienced manager to a club like Bolton, already betting on how long it will be till King will crack under the pressure of managing a premiership club with the spot light already on it.
King was however looking forward to the challenge and had this to say:
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I know the expectations that are here and we all look forward to that challenge. Not only of getting Bolton back to Europe but also trying to keep them their season after season. Of course I would have liked to have got the job another way and I hope the fans don’t blame me in anyway for Big Sam stepping down and jumping into his grave (so to speak) so soon. I am very proud and elated. I'm happy with a one-year deal because it keeps us all on our toes. I have big, big plans for this football club. While I understand I may not be the biggest name in football at this moment in time, I would like to stress that I have been studying football and taking UEFA badges for years, whilst having a natural born hunger for the game. As I say, I have big plans and cannot rule out anything at the moment. I will hopefully be able to prove to the fans that I am the right man for the job; because no-one will be trying harder in the world of football to bring success to their respective clubs than me.
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Bolton Team
Goalkeepers
Jussi Jaaskelainen
One of the best goalkeepers in the premiership in the last couple of season and always the first name down on my team sheet
Ali Al Habsi
To be honest I don’t know to much about him other than he was awful on my single player game when Jussi got injured.
Ian Walker
Ex England and Tottenham keeper who will be my number two until a better option becomes available.
Defenders
Tal Ben Haim
A good solid defender who should form a good partnership with Abdoulaye Meite. He can also operate as a sweeper if needed.
Abdoulaye Meite
The other part of the centre half partnership that was one off Big Sam’s last signing at the club.
Quinton Fortune
The ex Manchester united player will start the season of at left back due to Gardner’s injury. In the demo Fortune showed he could attack a ball as well as he could defend it.
Nicky Hunt
Since Nicky first started for Bolton he’s gone on to become a regular performer in the first team. The no-nonsense full-back, a graduate of the Bolton Academy, is the model of consistency for club.
Ricardo Gardner
The no-nonsense full-back, a graduate of the Bolton Academy, just a shame that he will miss the first 3 months of the season.
Midfield
Kevin Nolan
The brilliant free scoring midfield player who I will build my team around. Kevin has a good work rate and will be able to chip in with some vital goals along the way.
Stelios Giannakopoulos
A good all round player, but Stelios could be one of the players sold to bring some much needed funds into the club.
Gary Speed
Since he was signed by Sam, Gary has been a great performer of the club but afraid his legs may just be too old for the pace of the Premiership now.
Joey O'Brien
Looks like one of Bolton best young players, he can play either in defence or midfield and he is one of the future.
Ivan Campo
Another one of Sam golden oldie signings who has serviced Bolton well, but again I feel if the right offer came along I would let Campo leave.
Henrik Pedersen
Another player who can play a couple of positions, he could prove the answer to Bolton’s left side but I will be looking for a better option.
El-Hadji Diouf
The double African Footballer of the Year joined Bolton on a four-year deal from Liverpool in June 2005 after impressing on a season-long loan. Diouf was instrumental in Senegal's World Cup success, firing nine goals in qualifying before starring in the finals. I see him more as a midfield player in football manager 07 but with the amount of injuries my team gets I’m sure he gets his chance up front
Forwards
Ricardo Vaz Te
Maybe Bolton’s best young prospect who was awesome in the demo, he should be EL Sulk partner up front right from the very off.
Nicolas Anelka
He could be 20 plus goal scorer a season as long as he is kept happy. I just hope he doesn’t upset the rest of the first team when things aren’t going our way.
Kevin Davies
He could be the prefect target man if I need to play the more direct football if my game plan doesn’t go to plan.
I will need to target the midfield and forward area for more replacements but this depends on the amount of backup players I’m able to sell due to the lousy 250k transfer budget
Bolton’s starting line up (when fit
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GK. Jussi Jaaskelainen
DR. Nicky Hunt
DL. Ricardo Gardner
DC. Tal Ben Haim
DC. Abdoulaye Meite
DMC. Mystery man
ML. Henrik Pedersen
MR. El-Hadji Diouf
AMC. Kevin Nolan
FC. Nicolas Anelka
FC. Ricardo Vaz Te
Key man: Kevin Nolan. An England cap is in the all-action midfielder's sights.
Up the Wanderers :thup:
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