Megson Needs Support
Love him or loathe him, Gary Megson is the manager of our beloved Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Unfortunately he has not made himself popular with fans and there may to be a rebellion forming. The worst thing to happen to the club right now would be for Megson to be ousted.
The way I see it is that Bolton is only just getting over the loss of Sam Allardyce, the much loved manager who managed to get Bolton into a Cup Final and Europe. Sam struggled with Bolton when it came to signing new players, until more money was made available. Big Sam was always criticised for the style of play he advocates — he still is. Megson has the same problems, lack of funds and a squad that was used to a certain way of playing which I think was once described as, “hoofing the ball up the field in hope.”
I realise Megson did not replace Allardyce immediately, Sammy Lee and Archie Knox both held the helm before Megson’s unpopular arrival. It was an uncertain time for The Trotters when Big Sam left — the club was in disarray, desperate for a saviour. None came so Gary Megson was employed and handed the unenviable task of getting BWFC back on its feet.
The first major task was to save Wanderers from relegation, which he managed. The next task was to build a squad that could take The Wanderers further in cup competitions, higher in the league and into Europe once more. This takes time and money and perhaps the signings he has made this summer are a step towards the success that Bolton supporters crave.
Shortly after Megson joined Bolton I wrote ‘Megson, As Good As Allardyce‘ which showed that statistically Megson could be proved to be on par with Big Sam before they each joined The Wanderers. With this in mind, perhaps we are yet to see the best from Megson in terms of what he can achieve with the club.
Bolton needs the support of its fans more than ever and maybe that means that you have to give Megson a chance — at least until the end of this coming season.
The transition from Allardyce to the unlucky bastard who had to take over is finally over and Bolton can begin to recoup some of the success they had under Big Sam and build on that.
Remember, we are the one and only Wanderers. Okay that’s not true, there’s Wolves and Wycombe, but if you’re passionate about Bolton Wanderers then keep that passion alive and keep it positive.
Take Inspiration from the Squad
Perhaps these quotations from members of the Bolton Wanderers squad will help fire some optimistic passion.
Matt Taylor
“I believe we are one of those teams who should be looking to finish in the top 10. The players we have got here are capable of that, and we are confident that it is achievable.”
On a separate occasion Matt Taylor expressed his happiness.
“There’s no need for me to think about playing my football anywhere else but Bolton. They’re a great bunch of lads and a great club with good plans.
“It’s probably the happiest I have ever been in my career, if I’m honest.”
Ricardo Gardner
“I’m hoping to do even better than last season. The team can do better too, so long as we go into each game with the right frame of mind.”
Gardner acknowledging that the ‘right frame of mind’ is crucial — the fans need to be too.
Kevin Davies on the summer signings…
“From day one they have settled down and it feels like they have been here for a long time now. On the pitch and off it, they are good additions to the squad.”
Today, Kevin is quoted on the official BWFC website;
“During the pre-season we have managed to remain unbeaten, we haven’t picked up many injuries and it has been a very positive build-up.
“We want to improve on last season, aim to break into the top-half of the table, and a good start will help us to achieve that. There are about a dozen teams that will believe that is a realistic possibility and the amount of money spent this summer suggests just that.
“It is difficult to keep up with the top-six and there are lots of clubs with a similar stature who will be fighting to get in there, with Bolton Wanderers being one of those.
That’s fairly positive and mildly optimistic!
Mustapha Riga
“I know what the Manager expects from me and I am determined to take that opportunity when it is offered. I want to succeed here and I believe that is possible. We have some new players and the spirit in the squad is good.
“They are strong players and I think the fans will like them too.”
Zat Knight
“The style of football that they play suits me – they are a hard team to play against and the Premier League is getting harder. I really believe that the club can achieve something and I know that the manager wants to do that.
“It would be nice to try and get back into Europe because we haven’t been there for the last few seasons and to have a good cup run and win some silverware.”
Notice how newcomer Zat Knight uses ‘we’ when referring to the club — surely a sign of great team spirit.
As always, discussion in the comments is welcome.
Related reading
Vital Football It’s Open Season on Bolton Fans
Voice of Bolton —Lies, Lies And More Lies – Was It Worth It Gary?
I agree Megson needs support, but I'm struggling to get excited about this season or the players Megson has signed over the past month. Ricketts, Knight, Davis, and Robinson – all solid, hard-working, no-nonsense players to add to a squad with a majority of solid, hard-working, no-nonsense players. The most exciting player by far is Gardner, and credit to Megson, his best decision since he came to the Reebok has been to move him forward. Without him we look so slow and lethargic, we need much more pace not (in my opinion) more solid, no-nonsense players.
The signing of Chong-Yong seems fine on YouTube, but call me a cynic, it's so left field and different to Megson's other signings I think it could just be a marketing ploy a la Li Tie for Everton.
I know it's a small, petty thing, but I think even our pre-season has been dull. I remember a few seasons ago when we played in the Peace Cup in Thailand (?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMbYGF9R7tw. I remember a few years before that, we had Inter come to the Reebok with Davids and Adriano, and Olympiakos before that. I'm sure the lads' trip to Germany and Holland was great for their fitness, but draws with FC Eindhoven don't really get me too excited or show the same ambition that we once had, or what the current players/manager are talking about. Sorry about the length of this btw… what does everyone else think?
I am beginning to wonder about Chong-Yong too — a flash in the pan perhaps?
Is Megson is too scared to make dramatic changes to the style of play? Perhaps we'll see a difference this season.
We all know that Big Sam was always criticised for his long ball tactics but ask why and he'd reply that it gets the job done and, to him, that's all that mattered.
All the players seem to be hailing the pre-season a success but I do empathise with you.
I am not convinced that Megson knows what he is doing, he tend to talk the talk and not implement the tactics. He knows alot about the politics of the game but I am not sure about the tactics required. All the loaness last season were waste of time and not the way forward, I was surprised that he watched the reserves as he never does.
Vas te has not been supported by Megson at all except from the other trainers etc, If you are to sell players for soo cheap and they can still contribute at the top level, so why are you selling him (McCann). Even the position he is playing the players are not helpful as we all know
He has signed hard woking men (not sure about their skills or creativity) and left out the most important aspects (midfield and attack). I also assume that he cannot get over the fact that he paid too much for Elmander to allow others time to blend with the team. Obadeyi has been an inspiration with the reserves but 7-10 minutes before final whistle will not help him with the first team (I'm sure he would have scored more goals that our big money striker).
We played the whole pre-season with just limited players that Megson wants and he did not give time to other player (how can he get to have a back up plan or style).
Alot of the players are not happy (very good source) except 4-5 players, we cannot have a team like this and it is ovious with Gretar over the weekend. I can name up to 7 players that are not happy but I am concerned about how to make them happy and not adding more to their problems (as megson would bounce on them)
Megson, pls listen to others and support your players (not all those comments you are making about some players) those comments dont bind teams, they divide teams.