2005-06 record
League 8th
FA Cup 5th round
Carling Cup
Quarter-finals Uefa Cup 3rd round
RATHER THAN GET EASIER, SAM ALLARDYCE’S job at the Reebok Stadium seems to get harder with every season that passes and this summer has been a difficult one for him. Had he realised his dream of becoming the next England manager, Allardyce would have just picked his first squad for his first international friendly.
As it stands, he must instead preside over one of the worst injury crises of his six-year tenure as Bolton Wanderers manager while attempting to bolster a squad that is wafer thin only six days before the start of the new season. Allardyce is hopeful of signing another three players this week, with the defensive and forward departments in particular need of reinforcement.
Ironically, after years of bemoaning a shortage of resources, Allardyce has had more money to spend this summer, but with fees becoming increasingly inflated, the manager has either been outbid (as was the case with Andrew Johnson) or unwilling to match some of the asking prices. Nonetheless, he still has up to £10 million to spend on a new striker, with several names under consideration.
Bolton could find the first couple of months tough going as Allardyce wrestles with his injury problems and the problem of integrating any late new signings, but Bolton will still hope that they will be challenging for a European place come the end of the season.
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Look out for Idan Tal, the Israel playmaker and, Allardyce hopes, the next Yossi Benayoun.
Manager Big Sam is the most popular man in Bolton after Amir Khan. Harbours serious ambitions after missing out on England, and may leave if a big job offer comes up
Player to watch Ricardo Vaz Te. The young Portuguese striker has been prolific for Bolton’s reserves. This is his make-or-break season. His game awareness will have to improve. Also able to operate wide, he has the pace and versatility to bring a new dimension to Bolton’s attacking
In an ideal world One of the big four would somehow implode and brave Bolton would sneak into a Champions League place. The cup success that Allardyce has been threatening for several seasons would finally materialise. And Kevin Nolan would play for England.
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INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS Kevin Davies (ankle, one week), Ricardo Gardner (Achilles, three months), Amdy Faye (knee, three weeks), Quinton Fortune (groin, days), Joey O’Brien (knee, one week)
PRE-SEASON
Blighted by injuries and bad luck. Not one that Sam Allardyce will want to remember
TICKET SALES
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If they were a historical figure they would be ... George Formby
People from the lily-livered south don’t understand them or their cheeky appeal