Johan Elmander came to Bolton at a cost somewhere in the region of £10m. He is Bolton’s most expensive ever signing. We all had high hopes that we had purchased a player who could score 15 – 20 goals a season.
Well things didn’t work out for Elmander and he struggled to score goals. He looked unhappy, he had no confidence and seemed to be a complete waste if money. Suddenly this season he has regained his confidence, he is playing with a smile on his face and he is scoring some wonderful goals. At the time of writing he is the joint top scorer in the Premier league.
When Owen Coyle took over as Bolton manager he inherited a record signing who was a flop but he has used his man management skills to turn Elmander from Zero to Hero. The difference to the dark days of the Megson era is palpable. Elmander himself has criticised Megson’s style of management. He said, “It doesn’t help to stare and scream at me. I got tired the more of it I heard. Owen Coyle is a great coach, who I really enjoy working with. As soon as he came to the club I started to play well, even though the goals didn’t come right away.” Well the goals are coming now and I for one owe Elmander an apology. After witnessing his performances under Megson I just presumed he was a bad signing who would never make it in the Premier League. Happily, I have been proved wrong.
Owen Coyle has completely changed the way Bolton play. He has turned a team of long ball strugglers into one which plays exciting attacking football. The atmosphere at the Reebok has improved 100% and the feel good factor has returned.
Thank God for Owen Coyle!
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