BWFC 24

Megson’s Summer Signings for BWFC

There is still time for Bolton Wanderers manager, Gary Megson, to make more signings before the start of the new footy season. He has said that he is keen to sign a striker before it is too late to do so. As the start of the season looms here’s an overview of who Megson has signed so far.

“This is going to be a vitally important transfer window for us if we intend to move forward, and ideally I’d like to be a bit further down the road than we are right now.”

Ongoing Rumours

There are rumours about midfielder Ferrie Bodde joining The Wanderers from Swansea, but that looks unlikely as The Swans have already turned down a bid of £2.5m — apparently they want double that amount.

Then there’s Sporting Lisbon’s Miguel Veloso who, according to the his agent, is being sort after by Bolton Man City and Arsenal. However, Megson has already stated that Sporting Lisbon were asking too much for the midfielder.

Sam Ricketts

It’s a wonder that Sam Ricketts became a footballer, his father, Derek Ricketts, was the World Show Jumping Champion in 1978 and his uncle a National Hunt Champion.

Let’s hope he remains focused on his game and isn’t found horsing around. (Deleted in the interest of good humour.)

Hull City had hoped to keep Welsh international Sam Ricketts after he made 35 appearances for The Tigers last season. After Hull survived their first season in The Premier League City’s manager and ex-Wanderer Phil Brown told BBC Sport:

“He has got another year left on his contract so I fully expect him to be in for pre-season training. There is nothing with regards to any of the players making any kind of move with regards to getting away.”

Unfortunately for Hull, Bolton snapped up the young defender and he signed a 3 year deal for an undisclosed fee but doubtless more than the £300,000 he was valued at when Hull signed him from Swansea in 2006. Ricketts is a versatile defender, equally happy playing on the left or the right.

Paul Robinson

On signing with The Wanderers, defender Paul Robinson was compelled to defend his status as a fully signed Wanderer as the club stated that he was merely on loan for a year. Robinson told The Bolton News that he had signed a three–year contract.

“I have signed a three-year contract, simple as that. The 12-month loan deal was simply helping West Brom out for tax reasons.

“It was a bit difficult for my family to read that I was only on loan, so I wanted to clear up any doubt — I consider myself a Bolton Wanderers player on a three–year deal.”

As the Bolton News went on to explain Bolton won’t be paying the £1,000,000 fee WBA for Robinson until next year and the reason is indeed to save West Brom a few quid in tax. Is this legal? Presumably it is — maybe — but why confuse the truth. The official BWFC website still states that he is ‘on loan’, as does the official WBA website.

It’s the second time that Gary Megson has signed Paul Robinson, the first was when Megson was at The Hawthorns. Robinson expressed his delight in having Megson as his boss once again.

“Obviously working with Gary before was a big plus and it wasn’t a difficult decision to make. I know what he is like and how he can get the best out of me again as a player so I had no hesitations in joining Bolton.

“It is always nice when other football clubs show an interest in you and knowing the demands that Gary wants from his players, I believe he will be able to drive me on.”

Robinson will be up against fellow left-back Jlloyd Samuel when Megson makes his team selection. As Samuel started in every match last season Robinson will have to prove himself during training.

Incidentally Paul and I share the same birthday (December 14th) although I have to admit he is a few years younger.

Sean Davis

Sean Davis (29) is certainly Bolton’s best deal of the summer signing. After Portsmouth Football Club rejected The Trotters’ bid of £3.5m at the beginning of the year, out–of–contract Davis signed a 3 year contract as a free transfer. Bolton boss Megson was obviously pleased with the signing, saying;

“We are delighted to have signed such an experienced Premier League footballer. Sean made 40 appearances last season for Portsmouth and he will strengthen our midfield.”

Midfielder Davis won 12 caps playing for England’s under 21 team between 2000 and 2002 and has so far made over 250 appearances in The Premier League with Fulham, Spurs and Pompey.

Zat Knight

An estimated £4m has be handed over to secure a 3 year deal with Zatyiah Knight. The 6′ 6″ central defender only played 40 times in the 2 years he was at Aston Villa so you may be left wondering why Megson signed him.

According to the aforementioned Sean Davis, who played along side Knight at Fulham, Knight is a great signing.

“As a defender, he has to be concentrating 100 per cent and I think he’s getting to that stage in his career where he is focusing really well. He’s at his peak and did well for Villa when he played last season.

“He’s a quiet lad, very honest, and goes about his work in the right way. He’s going to be a great addition to the squad.”

Let’s hope Sean’s insight proves to be true.

Lee Chung–Yong

South Korean Lee’s signature on a 3 year contract cost The Trotters an estimated £2.1m. On returning to FC Seoul after a week–long trial with Bolton the 21 year old said;

“I met manager Gary Megson a few times. He spoke to me but as I can’t speak English, I couldn’t understand him.”

Lee is a very fast winger and an impressive dribbler and passer of the ball. Megson may have just signed a future legend for the club.

Graeme McGregor

At only 16 Graeme is Bolton’s youngest signing. He has been signed from Falkirk’s academy and is said to be a very talent youngster who has played for Scotland’s U16 and U17 team.

The academy’s Head of Education and Welfare, Ross Wilson, told The Falkirk Herald;

“Bolton have been tracking him for some time. We were contacted by them around six months ago and they made an offer for him then. We allowed Graeme to go down there with his family and have a look about and see what he thought.

“Now he has decided to make the move at this stage in his career and we really hope it works out for him.”

Good luck Graeme.

Room for improvement?

Do these signings inspire you? Or are they just too depressing to consider?

It looks like Megson is trying to build a squad that will give him more options, especially in defence. Perhaps last season proved to be too strenuous for some of the Bolton squad. With these signings and speculation that there will be a least one more, it looks like Megson has finally been able to put together a squad of his own creation and has a long–term plan to ‘move forward’. Let’s stay optimistic.

The most promising of these signings must be Lee Chung–Yong. He might bring back memories of David Lee zipping up and down the wing! Zat Knight could be starting the best years of his footballing career thus proving to be an inspirational signing.

Share your thoughts via the comments below. Who are your most and least favoured signings?