BWFC 24

Home To Aston Villa

Bolton Wanderers 1 – 1 Aston Villa

Ground: Reebok Stadium | Attendance: 18,413 | Referee: Martin Atkinson

• [22] Anelka – Bolton
• [57] Moore – Villa

New Bolton boss, Gary Megson, admitted to leaving the dressing room as late as possible to avoid the jeers, chants and boos of the home support.

Although there was some anger being expressed about Bolton’s current predicament the atmosphere inside The Reebok was certainly friendlier than that of the UEFA Cup match against Braga.

Anelka’s superb free-kick took The Wanderers ahead in the 22nd minute despite Stuart Taylor’s effort to keep a clean sheet. Much like the attendance figures, team spirit has been falling steadily this season but Anelka’s great goal certainly boosted the spirit of his team-mates and fans alike.

Bolton began to play with greater confidence and could have extended their lead but Anelka chose to control and curl Diouf’s direct pass rather than shoot first time, alas his tactic sent the ball just the wrong side of the upright.

Bolton were in control for much of the first half, the only threat of an equaliser came just a minute before half-time when panic reigned in Bolton’s box momentarily while defenders scurried to clear a parried shot by Villa’s Shaun Maloney.

Martin O’Neil made a double substitution after the break, obviously not impressed with his team’s efforts in the first 45 minutes.

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UEFA Cup : Home To Braga

Bolton Wanderers 1 – 1 Braga

Ground: Reebok Stadium | Attendance: 10,848 | Referee: Darko Ceferin (Slovenia)

• [67] Diouf – Bolton
• [87] Jailson – Braga

Bolton’s newly appointed manager joined caretaker boss Archie Knox in the dugout for tonight’s UEFA Cup clash between The Wanderers and Portuguese club SC Braga.

A disappointing turn out for the match left The Reebok looking sparse which probably pleased new boss Gary Megson whose lack of popularity prompted fear of intense booing and even the threat of a demonstration.

Knox was still in charge but before the game passed comment that did not resonate with the optimism of a confident manager:

“I will pick a side that I firmly believe can go and win the game. We need a little bit of luck and determination to get a win.”

Indeed the booing could be heard which is a little disconcerting for the new manager, as were the chants directed at Chairman Phil Gartside and the rest of the board:

“You don’t know what you’re doing!”

Both goals came in the second half and were both scored by substitutes’ headers. The equaliser ruined the night for Bolton as home wins may prove to be vital if the club are to make progress past the group stages of The UEFA Cup.

Al-Hadji Diouf had only been on the pitch for 5 minutes before taking The Wanderers into the lead when Kevin Davies floating pass from the right was headed in by the Senegalese striker.

Once Bolton were one up Braga pushed for an equaliser which did eventually come as injury time began to tick by. The ball was crossed in from the right by Pereira and nodded in by an unmarked Jailson leaving Jaaskelainen with little chance of making the save.

With Anelka and Davies going close during the game perhaps Megson’s first job ought to be to make sure that these forwards sharpen up their shooting skills.

Overall an worryingly average performance by The Trotters who could have beaten Braga convincingly if it wasn’t for an apparent lack of determination. Though a tad unlucky to concede a goal late on Wanderer’s defence pick up on Jailson loitering in the penalty area.

Next in the UEFA Cup Bolton travel to Germany to loose against Bayern Munich in the impressive Allianz Arena on November 8th.

Gary Megson Is BWFC New Manager

Bolton Wanderers Football Club have announced that Gary Megson has been appointed as the new manager after leaving Leicester City after just six weeks.

Club Chairman Phil Garside said:

“We have been able to interview a number of quality candidates and have taken into consideration all the factors which we consider applicable for the post and, after due consideration, decided to offer the post to Gary Megson.

“We feel Gary is the right man to take Bolton Wanderers forward. I have paid particular attention to his career and he has demonstrated to me that he is prepared to roll his sleeves up and has the right temperament for a battle, which this season is undoubtedly going to be.

“We have made decisive decisions over the past few weeks and this is one of them. It is not about me, Gary Megson or any other individual, it is all about Bolton Wanderers surviving in the Premier League. “We have to be fully-focussed on the task ahead to make sure we achieve immediate success. I have spoken to the staff and the players and we are all committed to get behind Gary and turn our fortunes around.”

Search For A Manager

Phil Gartside released an official statement yesterday to explain the current situation with the club’s search for a new manager while the speculation continues to put Gary Megson as the main contender for Bolton’s new boss. Despite being refused talks with Megson by City’s Chairman, Milan Mandaric, negotiations between the two clubs are thought to be ongoing and Megson might be released for a fee thought to be in the region of £300,000.

Gartside’s statement began:

“The process to find the next manager is on-going. We have identified our key targets and we have had interest from other people in the game. We hope to be in a position to conclude the process as soon as possible, but we will take our time to make sure we make the right appointment to take us forward.

“The right candidate for the job is someone who has strong management skills as well as football experience.

“It is a complex job to find the ideal candidate to take the Club forward in the long-term. It is a process we are working tirelessly to resolve. The range of skills required for the right successor to take us forward makes the appointment a difficult task.”

The statement continued with a brief acknowledgement of Bolton’s predicament followed by two comments about the club’s ‘belief’ in the squad’s ability to be successful and save The Wanderers from relegation.

Phil’s statement also confirmed reports that Graeme Souness was approached by the club and had been interviewed but has turned down the offer of becoming Bolton’s next manager. PHEW!

Read the full statement.