Bolton Wanderers: 5 Things Owen Coyle Needs to Do for the Trotters This Year
Bolton Wanderers: 5 Things Owen Coyle Needs to Do for the Trotters This Year
Owen Coyle's Bolton Wanderers surprised many last season, including myself. I have followed the Trotters for the last several years and have developed a great level of respect for them in that time. I regretted to see Kevin Nolan leave the club as I felt he was a core component to their long term development, but I was proven wrong.
The skill with which Coyle masterminded the team last season was extraordinary, considering he had a mid level club at best as far as talent. It was their managers pride and heart that seemed to lift them throughout the season as they looked possible UEFA Europa League Candidates during the first half.
Their season looked great before their form dropped, and then the likes of Liverpool, Everton, and even Fulham went on runs to eclipse them from the spotlight altogether as they bottomed out at 14th in the league.
This season will present a new challenge as Coyle already has spaces to fill in his roster, but it looks like he may have some even bigger boots to fill in the next several weeks.
It will be critical that certain aspects be sorted sooner rather than later, and the Bleacher Report brings you the necessities of an upper mid-table finish for the Wanderers this season
5. Lock Up Deals for the Youngsters That Want to Be There
The Mirror reports that the Wanderers could be in for two youth signings in the next few weeks.
Australian Socceroo Rhys Williams, currently of Middlesbrough, is interested in a move to the Reebok Stadium under Coyle, and a low price tag of only £2.5 million could bring the bright prospect to Wanderers.
Another key youngster signing would be last season on-loan Benfica forward Rodrigo. Another price tag of around £3.5-5 millon would also be attainable for the club, and they need to secure youth that want to be there and help grow the team over the next years.
4. Get Stuart Holden Fit and Ready
American midfielder Stuart Holden was a sensation for Owen Coyle until his nasty knee injury ended his season against Manchester United.
ESPNsoccernet.com reports now that he could be out until October as he works through his recovery.
He will once again be important to the Trotters if they indeed hope to build on their 14th place finish last season, and getting him fit and ready as soon as possible is a must.
3. Bring in a Replacement for Johan Elmander Upfront
Swedish International Johan Elmander had his best season as a Trotter last year with 10 goals and six assists leading the team in both categories.
If it seemed like anything in baseball, I would refer to it as contract year, as he hoped to rise his stock to earn another job. Which, he did in Turkey with Galatasaray at the end of May.
Bolton defender Zat Knight believes that one such player could be his friend Shaun Wright-Phillips. The out of favor Manchester City Striker is 29 years old now and needs to get in some regular action before the prime time of his career has ended, and the Reebok could be one of his best options.
With Manchester City always on the lookout to buy another attacker, it would make sense to offload someone like SWP that has not been a mainstay in their squad.
2. Take the Best Deal You Can Get for Gary Cahill
Owen Coyle knows that he is going to have to sell Gary Cahill nearly no matter what he does.
Although he says he will fight to keep his star defender, it might not happen despite how much he, or the fans would love to see the big center back stay a Wanderer, it just does not look like that will be the case.
The key is going to be to take the best deal they can get. Arsenal are offering up £17 million for the services of the England national, which to the normal ear seems like quite a fine deal.
However, the real cake taker could be the potential four player swap deal that Tottenham Hotspur are offering up for their target. The Daily Mail and Goal.com both have posted reports that Harry Redknapp is willing to offer Robbie Keane, Jermaine Jenas, Alan Hutton, and Sebastian Bassong all for Cahill.
That deal might be more than what Coyle even imagined he could get, those players could all fill empty holes left by Cahill, if he leaves, and already departed players, Johan Elmander, Jlloyd Samuel, Joey O'Brien, Tamir Cohen, and Ricardo Gardner.
The right choice however, will be left up to Coyle and the higher powers of Wanderers to sort out.
1. Coyle to Find His Next Loan Star
Owen Coyle has a knack for finding a diamond of talent that he can use for half a season. Two years ago it was young Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshire whom showed the world what he could do given the chance to run riot in the middle.
Last year it was Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge whose loan from the Bridge profited eight goals in 12 appearances for the Wanderers.
This season Coyle has been keen to regain the services of Sturridge for another full season on-loan from Chelsea but, he also might have a second attacking option.
That second option could be Manchester United youngster Frederico Macheda. After a disappointing loan spell in Serie A with Sampdoria, whom succumbed to the drop in 18th place, the Italian U-21 national is keen to remain in the English Premier League.
This news could evolve into a potential backup plan for Coyle should he not be able to take advantage of another season with Sturridge.