Wenger wants Arsenal to seize golden opportunity

January 20, 2010


Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal have a golden opportunity to underline their title credentials as they bid to go top of the Premier League with a two-goal victory over Bolton on Wednesday.

Wenger’s side defeated Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday and a repeat of that result in north London would be enough to send the Gunners above Chelsea and Manchester United into first place.

After being widely written off as also-rans in November when Chelsea’s 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium left Arsenal 11 points behind the leaders, there has been a significant change in fortunes for Wenger’s men.

While Chelsea and United have squandered points in matches they were expected to win, Arsenal have been able to put together an impressive run and Wenger knows it is essential not to waste the chance to grab that coveted first place.

“It is important psychologically, not mathematically so much,” Wenger said. “We have a good opportunity to do it so we have to focus.

“When the season started, we were not all convinced in our squad maybe that we could be where we are now. Now that we are there, we want to have a go.”

Even if Arsenal do go top of the table, Chelsea will have a game in hand on their London rivals, so there is no chance of Wenger getting carried away.

But the French coach is convinced his young team are capable of lasting the distance in the title race as long as captain Cesc Fabregas remains fit and in form.

Fabregas has been arguably the Premier League’s best midfielder this season and produced a majestic display against Bolton capped by his 10th league goal of the season and a major role in Arsenal’s second goal.

Games against title rivals Chelsea and United are looming on the horizon for Arsenal, so Wenger is well aware of the importance of keeping Fabregas on his game.

“He looks like a real general in midfield now and, of course, that helps as we go into a period of important games,” Wenger said.

“It was a test of character (at the Reebok Stadium) and they have shown plenty, which is very good news for us.

“Over the years our strength has increased and we showed we have matured, we know when to go for the fights and we know when to put the ball down.

“Without a doubt there is still more to come because we are a young team. We have a very tough run of games coming up but let’s be focused on the next one and keep it simple.”

With French winger Samir Nasri and young midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Fran Merida – who scored Arsenal’s second against Bolton – ruled out through injury, Wenger is relieved to welcome back Theo Walcott and Denilson.

England forward Walcott has struggled to shake off a host of different injuries this season, but his return will add a much-needed injection of energy to an attack already missing Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

“They are available for Wednesday. It is a big boost to have them back of course because they were out for a while and it gives us some fresh players as well,” Wenger said.

Bolton’s new boss Owen Coyle would love to have players of Walcott’s calibre to bolster his squad as he tries to drag them away from the relegation zone.

Coyle has had just 10 days to work with his players since arriving from Burnley as the replacement for Gary Megson, but he has already impressed the likes of captain Kevin Davies.

“I have seen a big change in some of the players, from the lads who have been starting to those on the fringes and those training with the reserves,” Davies said.

“I have been really impressed with the way the players have responded to him and I think that is a credit to him.

“Speaking to players individually they have been impressed with his man-management skills.”

LONDON (AFP)

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Coyle’s Bolton move is another footballing mystery – or is it?

January 6, 2010


One day perhaps we’ll understand how Wes Brown has amassed 21 England caps and maybe someone will eventually explain how Robinho is worth 35 million pounds but I don’t think I’ll ever comprehend the reason for Owen Coyle planning to ditch Burnley and go to Bolton Wanderers.

Coyle turned down the Celtic job last year because he wanted to go with Burnley into the Premier League and said only last week that he was “privileged to be building something special” at the club.

Yet within a heartbeat of Bolton sacking Gary Megson, wheels began turning to get Coyle in as his replacement.

As a former striker with Bolton in the early 1990s he said the club has a “special place in my heart” but it seems a bizarre move.

Both clubs are likely to spend the rest of the season fighting against relegation and while Bolton have probably got the deeper resources on and off the pitch, they are hardly Manchester United.

Coyle has built a reputation as an intelligent manager who develops passing teams who play the game “in the right way” and it was always unlikely to be too long before one of the league’s “bigger clubs” came calling.

Whether Bolton fit that bill is another matter – Burnley fans certainly don’t think so.

However, having said all that, if Bolton are offering Coyle a monster pay rise that Burnley – and even Celtic – can’t match, then who is to tell him to turn it down.

I’d wager the vast majority of fans who happily condemn players and managers for their lack of loyalty would switch their own jobs in an instant if a rival firm offered to double or triple their salary.

PHOTO: Burnley coach Owen Coyle reacts after their English Premier League soccer match against Everton in Burnley August 23, 2009. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis

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Coyle ready to quit Burnley

January 5, 2010


Owen Coyle is set to be named the new manager at Bolton Wanderers. Burnley confirm on their official website that the coach has informed them he wishes to take up the vacant managerial post at the Reebok Stadium.

The two clubs are now reportedly in negotiations to determine the compensation package Bolton owe their Premier League counterparts, because Coyle is still under contract at Turf Moor.

Last week, Bolton axed Gary Megson, who had been under pressure for a while. They immediately targeted 43-year-old Coyle as Megson’s successor. Coyle was a popular player for The Trotters midway through the nineties.

The Scottish coach helped Burnley gain promotion to the Premier League last season. Coyle has been in charge of The Clarets since 2007.

A statement from Burnley read: “Owen Coyle has today reaffirmed his desire to leave Burnley Football Club and join Bolton Wanderers Football Club.” “Burnley Football Club will now enter discussions with Bolton Wanderers Football Club, due to the fact that compensation between the two parties has yet to be agreed.”

“There will be no further comment at this time.”

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Bolton must wait for Coyle

January 5, 2010


Owen Coyle’s future remains unclear for another 24 hours. The Burnley manager is the main candidate to succeed Gary Megson as a Bolton boss. On Monday night he held talks with the Wanderers about the managerial vacancy at the Reebok Stadium.

Burnley have revealed that a decision over Coyle’s future will not be made for another 24 hours.

“Senior Burnley Football Club officials have, on Monday evening, held detailed talks with first team manager Owen Coyle over his future at Turf Moor,” confirmed a club statement.

“As a result of these talks over Coyle’s future with his current employers, both parties have decided to take a further 24 hours to digest the information shared before making any further announcement.

“There will be no further comment during this time from Burnley Football Club or Owen Coyle.”

Coyle has been in charge at Turf Moor since 2007 and helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League last season. The Clarets currently lie fourteenth in the Premier League with twenty points, two points more then Bolton who are ranked eighteenth.. Manager Megson was sacked last week and Bolton have targeted Coyle as his successor. The 43-year-old Scot played for the club between 1993 and 1995.

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Allardyce says fans gave Megson no chance

December 31, 2009


Sam Allardyce has said fan power meant sacked Bolton Wanderers boss Gary Megson had little chance of holding onto his job.

Megson was dismissed after Bolton had squandered a 2-0 lead before drawing 2-2 with Premier League relegation rivals Hull City.

Unusually, Megson proved unpopular with Bolton fans almost from the moment he took over in October 2007.

Nevertheless, Megson did help keep Bolton in the Premier League following the ill-fated six month reign of Sammy Lee, although that wasn’t enough to win over supporters who regularly berated his “negative” tactics.

By contrast Allardyce, now in charge at Bolton’s north-west rivals Blackburn, was a hugely popular boss during his eight years in charge of Wanderers, with his side finishing in the Premier League’s top eight on four straight occasions.

“Unfortunately for Gary, the fans wouldn’t quite take to him – they didn’t quite endear themselves to him and they always felt there was something they disagreed with, no matter what he seemed to do,” Allardyce said.

“I always think that’s a very unfortunate situation because in the end, if your fans decide that they don’t like you then you’ve got very little chance of keeping your job, no matter how good you are.”

Megson, who left Bolton when the club had two games in hand on their drop rivals, spoke Thursday of his “sadness” and “disappointment” at getting the sack from the Lancashire club.

“Naturally I am saddened to receive the news from the club and disappointed not to have been given the opportunity to at least see out my contract with Bolton Wanderers,” Megson said in a statement issued by the League Managers’ Association (LMA).

“It is a great honour to manage at Premier League level and I am also proud to have managed a club with great history and tradition.

“I would to thank the players and all the staff for their efforts during my time in charge and I wish the club every success in the future”

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan added: “Gary is vastly experienced in the game with Bolton being his eighth club and he was becoming an established Premier League manager.

“After taking charge of a side that was at the foot of the Barclays Premier League he certainly achieved success by leading the club to a 13th place finish last season.

“With the club currently on a four game unbeaten run and only five points short of 10th placed Sunderland with two games in hand, there was every opportunity for Bolton to make a sudden surge up the table.”

Blackburn are only three points better off than Bolton and a concerned Allardyce added: “It’s no more worrying (there) than it is for ourselves or anybody else in that bottom 10,” Allardyce said.

“Bolton have two games in hand, so win the two games in hand and they are above us and we are in that predicament.”

Meanwhile Owen Coyle, manager of Premier League Burnley and a former Bolton player, tried to play down speculation suggesting he could replace Megson at the Reebok Stadium.

“It is a fantastic job for someone out there but my focus is on doing the best against MK Dons (in the FA Cup) this weekend,” said Coyle.

“I have had speculation time and time again but, as always, I am concentrating on the job in hand.”

LONDON (AFP)

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Bolton sack boss Megson

December 30, 2009


Bolton manager Gary Megson has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect, the struggling Premier League club confirmed on Wednesday.

Megson, 50, was axed after his side squandered a two-goal lead in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Hull at the Reebok Stadium.

That result left Bolton languishing in the relegation zone, although the third bottom team do have two games in hand on the sides directly above them.

The final straw for Bolton chairman Phil Gartside came during the Hull match when the club’s fans turned on Megson after he substituted striker Ivan Klasnic with Wanderers leading 2-1.

Hull went on to equalise and Bolton fans unveiled banners proclaiming “Megson out” at full-time.

A club statement read: “The decision has been taken in the light of the position the club finds itself in the Premier League at the halfway point of the season.

“Assistant manager Chris Evans and first-team coach Steve Wigley will take charge of first-team matters for the interim period.”

Although Megson saved Bolton from relegation when he took over from Sammy Lee in October 2007, the club’s supporters have never warmed to him because of his negative tactics.

Megson even admitted after the Hull match that he knew he would never be loved by Bolton fans.

“There are probably 10 other clubs around the relegation zone this year and I’ll bet there’s no other team who have to play in similar circumstances,” he said.

“Do I think I’ll ever be given a fair crack of the whip here? No.”

Megson leaves the Reebok after losing 45 of his 99 games in charge of Wanderers and becomes the third Premier League boss to be dismissed this season following Mark Hughes’ exit from Manchester City and Paul Hart’s departure from Portsmouth.

Hughes has been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Megson, but Gartside will also look at the likes of former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley, ex-Wigan chief Paul Jewell and Darren Ferguson, who recently left Peterborough, as he seeks to ensure Bolton avoid relegation.

But with an FA Cup third round tie against League Two Lincoln on Saturday, followed by a Premier League trip to Arsenal next Wednesday, Wigley and Evans have to steady the ship quickly.

BOLTON, England (AFP)

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Wolves earn crucial win in relegation battle

December 5, 2009


Wolverhampton climbed off the bottom of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Bolton at Molineux on Saturday.

Mick McCarthy’s side had slipped into 20th place after Portsmouth’s victory against Burnley in Saturday’s early game, but goals from Jody Craddock and Nenad Milijas ensured they didn’t stay there for long.

Craddock opened the scoring early in the first half and Milijas put Wolves in complete control soon after the hour mark.

Johan Elmander got one back for Bolton but the hosts held on for their first win in 10 matches in all competitions, while the visitors suffered their fifth defeat in six games.

McCarthy had made two changes to his side, recalling Milijas and Stephen Ward as he tried to end a winless run that threatened to send Wolves back to the Championship.

South Korea midfielder Chung-Yong Lee was back in the Bolton line-up in place of the suspended Kevin Davies.

McCarthy’s men made the perfect start in the third minute. Milijas curled over a free-kick, Christophe Berra flicked on and Craddock, who looked to be in an offside position, drove home from close range for his fourth goal of the season.

Wolves almost added a second in the 18th minute when Richard Stearman headed goalwards following a corner from Matt Jarvis, but Ricardo Gardner cleared off the line.

After struggling to find any momentum in the early stages, Bolton began to threaten. Ivan Klasnic tested Marcus Hahnemann from distance and Gretar Steinsson headed wide from Lee’s corner.

Klasnic had Bolton’s best chance of the first half but shot wastefully over after Lee’s pass split the Wolves defence.

Wolves were back on top in the second half and increased their lead in the 63rd minute through Serbian midfielder Milijas. He latched on to a loose ball and smashed his shot beyond goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Hahnemann reacted superbly to parry Matt Taylor’s close-range effort moments later before Elmander gave Gary Megson’s strugglers a glimmer of hope in the 79th minute.

Elmander was set up by Klasnic following a corner from Taylor and the Swedish striker beat the goalkeeper from close range.

Klasnic should have earned Bolton a point in a frantic finish but he shot straight at Hahnemann.

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP)

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Table-topping Blues excite Ancelotti

November 1, 2009


Carlo Ancelotti said he was thrilled by Chelsea’s response to their early-season setbacks after a 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers left them two points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Blues lost back to back away league games against Wigan and Aston Villa to raise doubts about whether they were genuine challengers for the title.

But they have responded to the 2-1 loss at Villa with four straight wins, including 17 goals and four clean sheets.

Ancelotti’s team now have a trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League ahead of a crucial game against Premier League champions Manchester United.

And although Ancelotti insisted he was not looking beyond the game in Spain, he was pleased with the way the Londoners have bounced back in the league.

“It was our aim to stay top and we maintained the two points lead before this game and now we have to think about Atletico Madrid and prepare for a fantastic match against Manchester United,” said Ancelotti after Chelsea made it eight goals in a matter of days against Bolton after a 4-0 midweek League Cup win.

“Usually people think about the game against Manchester United but we have another important game during the week and we want to prepare well,” the Italian manager explained.

“We have time to prepare for Manchester United but it’s very easy to prepare for this game.

“It’s a very important match but we have to maintain our concentration on the Champions League group at this moment.”

Ancelotti added: “I think that we accepted the criticism before because we had self criticism and that’s normal when you don’t do well.”

Frank Lampard’s penalty, after Jlloyd Samuel was sent-off for tripping Didier Drogba, sent Chelsea on their way here at the Reebok Stadium.

Second-half goals from Deco, Zat Knight’s own goal and Drogba gave Saturday’s scoreline a comfortable feel.

Joe Cole, much praised since returning from a knee injury, was left on the bench with Deco given the chance to impress against Bolton.

And Ancelotti said the veteran Portuguese was a vital player for the west London club.

“He is doing what he knows,” Ancelotti explained. “It is nothing special, he can do this and is doing it for the team and this is important.

“He’s an unselfish player. Usually offensive players with quality are a little bit selfish but I’ve found an unselfish offensive midfielder.

“We did a good performance and it was a difficult first-half because Bolton played a very strong match in the first-half, with lots of pressure on our midfielders.

“We maintained good concentration, good intensity and we won a very important match.”

Despite being beaten by the same margin in midweek, Bolton manager Gary Megson was far happier with his team after this match.

His formation mirrored Chelsea’s ‘diamond’ set-up and he was pleased with the way his side competed.

“I know we’ve been beaten 4-0 but I thought we were terrific. The diamond, we struggled with on Wednesday we didn’t struggle with today (Saturday),” Megson said.

“Whereas they had Lampard in it, we had Chris Basham. Whereas they had Michael Ballack, we had Tamir Cohen.

“They’ve spent all that money and quality on that diamond. We tried to rev our lads up to compete man for man with all of those.”

Megson, however, may find himself in trouble with the Football Association after criticising referee Peter Walton for awarding the penalty that led to the opening goal.

He added: “It is a soft penalty. I thought it was engineered well. If Drogba keeps it on his right hand side Jlloyd would not get sent-off trying to get to it. He brings it to his left hand side and with Peter Walton and penalties and Bolton there is only one thing that can happen.”

BOLTON, England (AFP)

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Rampant Chelsea thrash Bolton to reach quarter-finals

October 29, 2009


Carlo Ancelotti remains on course for his first Wembley appearance after Chelsea reached the League Cup quarter-finals with a 4-0 demolition of Bolton on Wednesday.

Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda scored to give Chelsea a comfortable half-time lead before Deco’s strike and a last minute header from Didier Drogba took Ancelotti’s side’s tally to 13 goals from their last three games.

And the comprehensive nature of this win will undoubtedly give Chelsea a decisive edge when the two teams meet again at the Reebok Stadium this weekend.

That will provide a more testing challenge for the Blues, who have lost twice away from home this season. But at Stamford Bridge their record is almost flawless and they have recorded nine victories in nine games, conceding just one goal.

Ancelotti made seven changes from the side that beat Blackburn last weekend, preserving the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and for bigger tests ahead while Bolton’s Gary Megson adopted a similar approach, resting keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and striker Kevin Davies.

But even without their two most experienced players, the visitors began convincingly with Gretar Steinsson unsettling Branislav Ivanovic after just three minutes, forcing a free-kick that was squandered when Matthew Taylor tried unsuccessfully to catch Chelsea keeper Hilario off guard.

The early chance offered Bolton only false hope and Chelsea quickly took control of the game, picking up where they had left off in Saturday?s 5-0 humbling of Blackburn.

Ancelotti had opted for a three-man forward-line made up of Joe Cole, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Strurridge – the youngster making his first start following a move from Manchester City.

Deco fired in Chelsea’s first meaningful shot, forcing a save out of Al Al Habsi with a dipping ninth minute drive.

And the opening goal came just six minutes later when the visitors were carved open far too easily on the left where Paulo Ferreira found space to cross and Kalou rose between two defenders to head home at the far post.

To their credit Wanderers responded immediately and Taylor was denied by Hilario’s speed in advancing off his line and closing down the midfielder?s close range shot.

Unfortunately the Portugese banged his head in the incident and after struggling on for six more minutes, eventually left the field apparently suffering from concussion.

That paved the way for former Middlesbrough keeper Ross Turnbull to make his debut for the Blues, but the upheaval had no effect on Ancelotti’s side who where quickly two up, this time from Malouda.

The Frenchman linked well with Kalou in the 26th minute, finding space to meet the Ivorian’s cross before receiving a large slice of luck when the ball bounced back to him off Zat Knight and the midfielder finished from close range.

Kalou was replaced by Michael Essien to protect a back problem and while Chelsea continued to create chances, Sturridge was unable to match the finishing of his team-mate and the youngster missed successive openings after being played through by Joe Cole.

The introduction of Johan Elmander at half-time gave Bolton more presence up front but they were unable to apply meaningful pressure on Turnbull’s goal and Mark Davies shot straight at the keeper when they eventually found a way through.

But Chelsea were always looked comfortable and confirmed their superiority with a 67th minute third goal when Deco met Cole’s left wing cross and drilled the ball past Al Habsi from the edge of the box.

And Drogba completed the win when he met Cole’s deep cross with a far post header.

LONDON (AFP)

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Ancelotti won´t overlook League Cup

October 28, 2009


The English League Cup may rank a distant fourth on the list of Carlo Ancelotti’s priorities this season but the Chelsea manager knows even this most derided of competitions has its value.

Anyone doubting that thesis should just cast their minds back to February 2005 when Chelsea defeated Liverpool 4-2 in the final.

That victory gave Jose Mourinho his first trophy at Stamford Bridge and provided the first concrete evidence that the club had appointed a born winner.

Ancelotti will hope that some of Mourinho’s League Cup stardust rubs off on him this season as he seeks to put his stamp on Chelsea in the form of cold, hard silverware.

He should be confident enough: his team face Bolton Wanderers at home in the fourth round on Wednesday and, while Gary Megson’s team can be irksome opponents, Chelsea will still be overwhelming favourites.

The Blues boss’s determined approach to the competition was underlined in the previous round, when he surprised everyone – not least members of his own squad and backroom staff – by selecting a virtually full-strength side for the visit of Championship side Queens’ Park Rangers.

While Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka were given the night off, there were starting places for John Terry and Frank Lampard and a good job, too. Rangers proved doughty opponents and were only seen off by a single goal.

Ancelotti is expected to stick with his safety-first policy again this week, with Joe Cole set for a second outing in five days.

There will be no complaints from the England midfielder, who needs time on the pitch to regain match sharpness after eight months out with a knee injury.

“There is so much to look forward to and I am so excited about just playing football for Chelsea and England,” Cole said.

“There are a lot of ups and downs in football and I’ve had eight months of sitting on my backside watching so I’m just happy to be playing for Chelsea. My job is to help the club win something this year.”

Bolton will not travel south in great expectation, although Megson’s side are in form of their own.

They shrugged off a spirited Everton fightback at the Reebok Stadium last weekend to ensure they have now only suffered one defeat in seven matches, playing the kind of slick football not often associated with their manager.

Not that Megson is about to put style before substance as he seeks one of the most notable wins of his tenure in Lancashire.

“Quite a few people have been talking about the way we are playing, which is nice, but we want to be winning games,” he said.

“They are not particularly interested in Bolton’s results but they have seen us on the television when we have played against Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton.

“We are playing some decent stuff but we have to play decent stuff and win the games.”

LONDON (AFP)

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