Fighting spirit shines through (From The Bolton News)

Fighting spirit shines through

Wanderers are to have a harder edge in the future if the signs are to be believed. As Sam Allardyce gradually stamps his mark on the side fans can expect a team which works hard consistently and is more alert to - and capable of fulfilling its defensive duties.

Vilified after the Wembley play-off final and the more recent Worthington Cup semi-final second leg against Tranmere Rovers for the apparent level of commitment, there now seems to be a wind of change blowing through the Reebok Stadium.

Despite the criticism in the immediate aftermath of the poor Tranmere performance which has had a lingering adverse effect on Wanderers' reputation as a battling force, it was ironic that the major quality which shone through in last week's defeat at Birmingham City was the team's commitment. Gudni Bergsson typified the spirit, even at one stage getting physical with keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen when he felt the No 1 should have come off his line quicker.

Alongside him Paul Ritchie repeatedly showed he was up for any physical challenge that came his way and Gareth Farrelly made one hugely impressive forceful last ditch tackle which, although his victim was later shown to be offside, offered further evidence that this was a side that was willing to fight tooth and nail to get a result.

Allardyce gave an inkling into what future Wanderers teams will be expected to produce when he reflected later: "My players gave everything they have got and you can't ask for more than that."

It was a mentality he injected into his successful Notts County players who rolled over for nobody and when the physical and defensive sides of the game were in full operation the attacking side followed. Another sign of the commitment expected was in Allardyce's analysis of the Birmingham game that certain members of his midfield failed to track back often enough to prevent their markers from exerting pressure on his defence, while he has openly praised Manchester City's impressive defensive record and solidity in the past, using it as a standard to be followed.

The Tranmere debacle was a humiliation that Allardyce, like all Wanderers fans, will not forget in a hurry. And if the signs are to be believed it is a capitulation that will not be repeated once the manager has put his stamp on the team.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.