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Chairman primed for another exciting season
10:10am Thursday 9th August 2007
Comments (115) Have your say »
Phil Gartside admits he is apprehensive going into the new season, but is excited at the prospect of seeing Sammy Lee lead Wanderers into a new era.
The Whites kick off their seventh successive season in the Barclays Premier League against Sam Allardyce's Newcastle United at the Reebok on Saturday with a a new-look squad and a new backroom team.
And while the Bolton chairman concedes that there is no way of knowing what's in store, he is rubbing his hands in anticipation.
"There has been a lot of changes, but I think things had gone stale and needed a shake-up," he said reflecting on the wind of change that has swept through the Reebok since Lee was appointed manager in the wake of Allardyce's shock departure at the end of last season.
"And as a Bolton Wanderers fan I'm more excited about this season than I have for a long time.
"There have been massive changes, but that's inevitable when you get a change of management. But, with a bit of good planning and and good luck, we've now got a strong management team."
Phil Gartside's answers to a number of questions posed by fans via The Bolton News will be answered throughout the day HERE
Gartside had no hesitation in giving Lee his first management role and everything he has seen since the former Liverpool and England midfielder took charge, has convinced him that he was the right man for the job.
"You can't take anything away from Sammy - he has incredible experience at the highest level as a player and l From back page at the highest level as a coach," he said.
"And although, as a chairman, you're always apprehensive about the unknown, we've handed the reins to the right man.
"He wants to play in a different style so we've all go to be patient during what is bound to be a transitional period.
"There has been disruption and the changes on the staff front have produced some negatives as well as positives.
"But the signs are very good. We've retained some excellent qualities with the people who have stayed on board and complemented them by bringing in others."
Gartside observed Lee's management style closely when he travelled to South Korea to watch Wanderers compete in the Peace Cup and believes the new manager will run a tight ship.
"He's got a totally different man management style to Sam Allardyce," he said.
"Sam was successful with his style, but the changes Sammy is bringing in will make us a much more professional outfit.
"Sammy Lee might be known as one of the nicest men in football but the staff and players have already seen that he can be a disciplinarian when he needs to be."
The chairman refuses to put pressure on Lee to match the achievements of the previous regime, which established Wanderers as a top eight Premiership club over the last four seasons.
But he sees a top 10 finish as a realistic target.
"I've gone on record in the past, saying success for Bolton Wanderers is staying in the Premier League and anything above that is a bonus," he added.
"But expectation levels have risen to such an extent that we have got to be looking at the top 10 - and that's not unrealistic.
"What makes it difficult this time is that teams who finished below us last season have spent huge sums of money on the transfer market, largely due to foreign investment.
"That doesn't always work of course, but it has to come into the equation.
"As for long-term ambition, success for Bolton Wanderers and Phil Gartside is to be in the Premier League for the next 50 years - to be at the forefront of football and influencing the game in England and Europe."
Your Say Yourtheboltonnews
gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
10:30am Thu 9 Aug 07
Lets just get a new foothold in the prem then start thinking about moving up again.
MGPW, Bolton says...
10:37am Thu 9 Aug 07
gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
10:40am Thu 9 Aug 07
MGPW wrote:totally agree, we have some good quality bargain signings and we are definately not going anywhere this season, good entertaining football is on the menu, lets start to get a bit of respect brought back to Bolton.
I'm really impressed with the Wanderers management. Resisting the temptation to spend for the sake of it will save us from becoming another Leeds.
PJ, Bolton says...
10:41am Thu 9 Aug 07
SUPERWHITEINEXILE, Altea-Spain says...
10:43am Thu 9 Aug 07
tyldesley white, Tyldesley/Aberdeen says...
10:56am Thu 9 Aug 07
PJ, Bolton says...
11:02am Thu 9 Aug 07
SAMMY LEE HAS BROUGHT IN SOME FANTASTIC SIGNINGS AND IM SURE HE'S GOINA B A GR8 MANAGER FOR US.
THE PROBLEM IS WE ARE NOT MOVING UPWARDS. WE NEED TO BE COMPETING WITH THE BIG FISH INSTEAD OF BEING LITTLE FISH IN A BIG POND. I HAVE WATCHED BOLTON SINCE I WAS A LAD AND SEEN THEM RISE FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE OLD 4TH DIVISION. I EXPECT MY CLUB TO SPEND MY SEASON TICKET MONEY ON PLAYERS RATHER THAN PAYING OFF THE REEBOK STADUIM DEBTS!!!!
BOLTON TIL I DIE!!!!
PEACE TO U ALL
PJ X
Gonk, Horwich says...
11:03am Thu 9 Aug 07
Unplug your computer, put it in the box and take it back to where you bought it. Ask for a refund as you are evidently too stupid to own one
gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
11:06am Thu 9 Aug 07
PJ wrote:Wasn't meaning to have a pop mate, but Sammy Lee is an unknown in management, I have full faith in this man however, ask any regular poster on this site about my thoughts, but Phil Gartside is 1st and foremost a businessman and is not going to invest millions in an unkown entity. Last season was our best ever chance to push into the top 4, but this season with have a new formation and everything else to get used to first of all before we start pushing, plus we have UEFA this season, which we didn't last, lets see how our squad deal with that and all the other domestic cups.
WELL THAT WAS ME TOLD!!! iTS NOT A SILLY COMMENT GAZ. WE WOULD HAVE HAD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE(IN MY OPINION) THIS SEASON IF WE HAD SPENT MONEY ON BIG NAME PLAYERS. I THINK PEOPLE FORGET HOW MUCH MONEY SKY GAVE US!!! ARE YOU A SHAREHOLDER BY THE WAY LOL. IM SURE THEY ARE ALL HAPPY(INC WARBURTONS) THAT WE PAY OFF OUR DEBTS INSTEAD OF GETTING IN PLAYERS THAT MAN U OR THE OTHER BIG CLUBS WOULD GO AFTER. PLAYERS WOULD RATHER GO TO EVERTON FOR SOME STRANGE REASON....
We all want champs league but lets just concentrate on making these doubters that have us down for relegation eat their words.
PJ, Bolton says...
11:13am Thu 9 Aug 07
Gonk wrote:NO WORRIES GAZZ.WE ARE ON THE SAME SIDE AFTER ALL!!! JUST WANNA MOVE ON UP!!!
PJ: Unplug your computer, put it in the box and take it back to where you bought it. Ask for a refund as you are evidently too stupid to own one
OH YEAH LUV U TOO GONK. LETS HEAR YOUR INTELLIGENT COMMENTS NEXT PLEASE XXX
gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
11:18am Thu 9 Aug 07
Jonny Boy, Little Lever says...
11:21am Thu 9 Aug 07
PJ, Bolton says...
11:21am Thu 9 Aug 07
I PAY FOR A SEASON TICKET AND EXPECT A SAY!!
gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
11:27am Thu 9 Aug 07
gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
11:30am Thu 9 Aug 07
PJ wrote:who's offended, now if you said Magnusson for prime minister, then barred you would be, haha
CHEERS GAZZ. IM NOT HERE TO OFFEND ANYONE AND DONT EXPECT EVERYONE TO AGREE WITH MY OPINIONS.THEY ARE JUST MY OPINIONS!!! I PAY FOR A SEASON TICKET AND EXPECT A SAY!!
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
11:30am Thu 9 Aug 07
Jon, Bolton says...
11:32am Thu 9 Aug 07
Jonny Boy wrote:Jonny Boy did you leave your braincell in mummy's pocket today?
I would also like to add that PJ is talking a whole lot of sense. You people having a go sound pretty deluded. ANOTHER LEEDS!! We haven't even been on the same level i.e no champions league and no premiership contendership! Were you some of the stupid fans shouting for Kevin Nolan's call up by any chance?
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
11:36am Thu 9 Aug 07
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
11:39am Thu 9 Aug 07
andy1979, Bolton says...
11:41am Thu 9 Aug 07
glenn, chorley says...
11:42am Thu 9 Aug 07
Phil Neal, southport says...
11:49am Thu 9 Aug 07
I for one don't want a repeat of 1997 when we was informed in the B.E.N we were £30 million in debt and had to sell players to balance the books. Some fans have short memories.
Good management i say !!!
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
11:54am Thu 9 Aug 07
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
11:55am Thu 9 Aug 07
rob, horwich says...
11:58am Thu 9 Aug 07
andy1979 wrote:bob on there pal, just look back to a few week ago when we played lyon, yeah it was only a freindly but they were the better team and there are more fearsum teams in the champs league that would just tear us apart in defence.....
Fans on hear are saying if we had signed more class players and spent more money last season we would have been in chalpions league. Im BWFC through and through and want so much success for us but... we arent ready for the champions league yet lets keep building the squad as LSL is doing and continue progressing with this youthful side before we let our dreams run away with us.
Gazz i've only been posting my veiws on this chatroom since tuesday this week, but i've been enjoying reading them for the past month or so and the comments you've put on have hit the nail right on the head everytime, up up the whites to a top 10 finish AGAIN !!
PJ, Bolton says...
11:59am Thu 9 Aug 07
I'm always right lol
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
12:00pm Thu 9 Aug 07
gazz_ball - Supera Moras! wrote:I never criticised the signing of Wilhelmsson once. I also believe Samuell was a good buy. So please read what i say before replying.
Look at Fulham's squad compared to our's, how can you possibly use them as an example. Have you seen the skills Gavin McCann has? Helgusson i think has been bought for cover, we have got the fastest player in the swedish squad, by no means mediocre. What did BSA achieve in his 1st 2 seasons, we are not a relegation side. We will push for honours as soon as we have set our foundations
PJ, Bolton says...
12:01pm Thu 9 Aug 07
glenn wrote:cAPs LoCk???????////
It just goes to prove that people who cannot operate the caps lock are thick.
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
12:03pm Thu 9 Aug 07
PJ wrote:No worries fella! Am die hard with a season ticket too mate. We're feeling the wrath of the family stand here. ha!
Cheers Jonny!!!!!!! I'm always right lol
run rabbit run, Fantasy island says...
12:10pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Remember, its a forum for discussion, not a happy clappy place to nod in agreement at everything Bolton are doing.
Tell me, aren't you slightly concerned at the lack of top bracket signings? Don't you wonder why LSL has been unable to bring in any names? Doesn't it worry you that 3 of our best players are constantly being touted for moves???
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
12:12pm Thu 9 Aug 07
run rabbit run wrote:Amen Brother! Thought I was fighting a losing battle there!
Jesus, finally in PJ and Jonny boy we have some balance. So what do the Gartside clones do?, they go to their default setting and start making personal attacks about being unable to use computers and only having one brain cell. The deluded bunch meanwhile think LSL is the next Alex Ferguson and that we're Liverpool in the 80's hey day. Remember, its a forum for discussion, not a happy clappy place to nod in agreement at everything Bolton are doing. Tell me, aren't you slightly concerned at the lack of top bracket signings? Don't you wonder why LSL has been unable to bring in any names? Doesn't it worry you that 3 of our best players are constantly being touted for moves???
Jon, Bolton says...
12:12pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Jonny Boy wrote:If you are such a die hard, perhaps you could tell us when in the last 30 years we have had things so good? When have we ever been a top 10 premiership side year after year?
PJ wrote: Cheers Jonny!!!!!!! I'm always right lolNo worries fella! Am die hard with a season ticket too mate. We're feeling the wrath of the family stand here. ha!
This is the best period in the clubs recent history by a country mile and people should appreciate how since Gartside took over we have gone from bottom 6 championship side to top 10 premiership side and stayed there.
That is some track record!
Paul1970, Fleetwood says...
12:14pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Is Sam Praising Bolton A Little Too Much?
By Nu Mad Thursday 9th August 2007
Sam Allardyce has expressed his delight at how quickly David Rozehnal has settled into English football, but is the Toon boss building up his debut at Bolton just a little too high?
Article continues below
Yes we understand the Reebok has happy memories for the Toon boss, and we know how much a win there would mean to him.
But that little 27,000 capacity MFI stadium is hardly Old Trafford or Anfield ... is it?
I find it incredible the ex-Bolton manager believes the Czech international will be "stunned by what he finds at Bolton Wanderers at the weekend".
Allardyce: "I've been really pleased with how David has settled so far. He is a terrific human being, let alone a very good player.
"However, it has only been pre-season and I don't want to heap too much praise on him at the moment because of that. There is still a lot for him to get used to. What he will experience at Bolton at the weekend will shock him to say the very, very least.
"Everything he has experienced now in training and in pre-season friendlies, if he thinks that's hard, wait until he goes to the Reebok Stadium.
"If he can cope with that, the way Bolton play and the questions they will ask of him, he will be able to cope with anything. I hope he does because he's a good player and he has had a good pre-season. He hasn't missed any training and he has been a major bonus during our pre-season programme."
Lets hope Davies welcomes Rozehnal in good old Dirty Dozen Fashion.
S--t Jame's Park explains the Sunday League Pub team playing in the Park, FSA hav-it technique.
Paul1970, Fleetwood says...
12:16pm Thu 9 Aug 07
BWFC-TIL-I-DIE, BOLTON says...
12:17pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Trotter, Bolton says...
12:19pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Good riddance I say. It took a while for me to find this reliable information out, so WELL DONE Phil.
Keep the Faith
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
12:20pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Jon wrote:Yeah exactly! Do u actally know what you're saying. We have established Bolton r the best they have ever been but there is a new season starting and we don't seemed to have added any real quality in abundance to build on the past season's successes. Instead I am being told from u insightful ot that we should get a foot hold this season. Well what the hell have we been doing in the past!!!!!!
Jonny Boy wrote:If you are such a die hard, perhaps you could tell us when in the last 30 years we have had things so good? When have we ever been a top 10 premiership side year after year? This is the best period in the clubs recent history by a country mile and people should appreciate how since Gartside took over we have gone from bottom 6 championship side to top 10 premiership side and stayed there. That is some track record!PJ wrote: Cheers Jonny!!!!!!! I'm always right lolNo worries fella! Am die hard with a season ticket too mate. We're feeling the wrath of the family stand here. ha!
rob, horwich says...
12:23pm Thu 9 Aug 07
BWFC-TIL-I-DIE wrote:I'm going to put a tenner on westham, fulham and sunderland going down at seasons end just for a laugh!
jonny boy.... i personally think that you talk utter sh*t*!! spending 20 - 30 mil doesnt always get you success.... westham, fulham, sunderland...spent millions...take note of how many of those are expensive mistakes by the end of the season... so what if we've spent so little money...do you think we'd have got braaten for 500k if he had 3 years left on his contract?? look at chelsea....4 free transfers during close season...does that mean they wont be up there... we have only taken advantage of a situation to bring in players below their true market value... give the team a chance, stop winjin and stick your head back up your 4ss!!!
MY MY MY BWFC you've had your wheatabix today havn't you ?
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
12:23pm Thu 9 Aug 07
BWFC-TIL-I-DIE wrote:Ur an idiot. When once have I said spend all that?! Read the messages before u make urself look like an even bigger fool!
jonny boy.... i personally think that you talk utter sh*t*!! spending 20 - 30 mil doesnt always get you success.... westham, fulham, sunderland...spent millions...take note of how many of those are expensive mistakes by the end of the season... so what if we've spent so little money...do you think we'd have got braaten for 500k if he had 3 years left on his contract?? look at chelsea....4 free transfers during close season...does that mean they wont be up there... we have only taken advantage of a situation to bring in players below their true market value... give the team a chance, stop winjin and stick your head back up your 4ss!!!
whatsgoingon, Bolton says...
12:30pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Mike, Chew Moor says...
12:33pm Thu 9 Aug 07
PJ wrote:A lot of valid points but until we've seen the "new" team play a few competitive matches it's difficult to judge - I for one haven't a clue what the starting 11 will be.
WELL THAT WAS ME TOLD!!! iTS NOT A SILLY COMMENT GAZ. WE WOULD HAVE HAD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE(IN MY OPINION) THIS SEASON IF WE HAD SPENT MONEY ON BIG NAME PLAYERS. I THINK PEOPLE FORGET HOW MUCH MONEY SKY GAVE US!!! ARE YOU A SHAREHOLDER BY THE WAY LOL. IM SURE THEY ARE ALL HAPPY(INC WARBURTONS) THAT WE PAY OFF OUR DEBTS INSTEAD OF GETTING IN PLAYERS THAT MAN U OR THE OTHER BIG CLUBS WOULD GO AFTER. PLAYERS WOULD RATHER GO TO EVERTON FOR SOME STRANGE REASON....
The way contracts and transfers work these days it's difficult to judge how good a player is - Ben Haim cost Chelsea nothing but if he still had a couple of years on his contract he would have cost several million. Just because we haven't spent big money doesn't mean the 11 new players are no good - the wage bill will certainly have increased.
Re the earlier comments about shareholders - Eddie Davies owns about 99% of the shares but doesn't receive a dividend (i.e. doesn't take any money out). At the time the shares were listed (1997) the biggest shareholder was the family behind Gordon's of Bolton and not the Warburtons. (info from company accounts logged at Companies House).
Whatever your opinions on the board, players LSL, BSA etc I just hope everyone at the Reebok gives 100% getting behind the team for 90 minutes - we can make a difference.
C'mon you whites
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
12:35pm Thu 9 Aug 07
whatsgoingon wrote:Sum good points mate. I only called people stupid as I was brought to thier level. With constant abuse. Ha! We actually haven't signed Wilhelmsson yet but all in all a good signing. I hope Dzemaili is good all I said of him was he is still unproven. But with reghards to the hype I take it with a pinch of salt do you remember 'Emanelle Morini' by any chance?
Its great reading all the opinions, thats what makes football such a passionate entity, with regards to the spending if we had spent £5m on a Swedish International winger with over 40 caps for a top 2o nation we'de have been buzzing (we didn;t we got him for £2m). If we had signed a 21 year old Swiss international midfielder who at 20 was captain of his club and was sought after by Juventus and at least 3 Bundeslige teams for 3 or 4 mill again we'de been raving, we didn't we got him on a free. Its not about the cost its quality, I for one would be more worried if we'de spent 30-40 milion on you tube cuttings a la City. It is a worrying or exciting time(depending on your mentality) but I'm excited by some of the signings and also think bulking up the squad with quality pro's like McCann and Helgussen will also help.Lets not forget about Harsanyi and the reborn Vaz Te and we should look forwad to some exciting stuff. On the subject of people calling other posters stupid because of their comments only people who think anyone who's opinion is different to theirs is stupid can truly be called stupid and ignorant.
BWFC-TIL-I-DIE, BOLTON says...
12:38pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Jonny Boy wrote:your the idiot my friend!!! anyone who thinks big, famous names take you into the champions league and beyond must be on the same drugs as notlob.... just cos they wernt big money signings, just cos they wernt famous names.....doesnt mean they wont be successful....
BWFC-TIL-I-DIE wrote: jonny boy.... i personally think that you talk utter sh*t*!! spending 20 - 30 mil doesnt always get you success.... westham, fulham, sunderland...spent millions...take note of how many of those are expensive mistakes by the end of the season... so what if we've spent so little money...do you think we'd have got braaten for 500k if he had 3 years left on his contract?? look at chelsea....4 free transfers during close season...does that mean they wont be up there... we have only taken advantage of a situation to bring in players below their true market value... give the team a chance, stop winjin and stick your head back up your 4ss!!!Ur an idiot. When once have I said spend all that?! Read the messages before u make urself look like an even bigger fool!
keep the faith and less hostility!!!!!! we are all fans after all.....
Trotter, Bolton says...
12:39pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Sound comments my friend, the silly remarks from some, not all, side track the main issue, we are all supposed to be pulling in the same direction, so let's count to ten before having a go at someone behind a computer screen, pretty pathetic really lads & lasses. Let's enjoy the season, especially at 3pm on Saturday.
Keep the Faith
rob, horwich says...
12:39pm Thu 9 Aug 07
whatsgoingon wrote:best comment made today so far !!!!
Its great reading all the opinions, thats what makes football such a passionate entity, with regards to the spending if we had spent £5m on a Swedish International winger with over 40 caps for a top 2o nation we'de have been buzzing (we didn;t we got him for £2m). If we had signed a 21 year old Swiss international midfielder who at 20 was captain of his club and was sought after by Juventus and at least 3 Bundeslige teams for 3 or 4 mill again we'de been raving, we didn't we got him on a free. Its not about the cost its quality, I for one would be more worried if we'de spent 30-40 milion on you tube cuttings a la City. It is a worrying or exciting time(depending on your mentality) but I'm excited by some of the signings and also think bulking up the squad with quality pro's like McCann and Helgussen will also help.Lets not forget about Harsanyi and the reborn Vaz Te and we should look forwad to some exciting stuff. On the subject of people calling other posters stupid because of their comments only people who think anyone who's opinion is different to theirs is stupid can truly be called stupid and ignorant.
saturdays team i think will start with jussi in goal.......
Vaz Te and davies up front............
Nobby, Guthrie, Alonso and either campo or speedo in midfield........
Faye, Cid, Jlloyd and winderlic(that big slovak lad) as our back four i think...
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
12:46pm Thu 9 Aug 07
BWFC-TIL-I-DIE wrote:Fair enough but the hostility started as you keep misjudging what I'm saying. I haven't said 'big names' jus more established players. But on the other hand I wud argue though that u can benefit from big name players look at the top 4! Plus take ou anelka and Diouf from our squad and it doesnt look anywhere near as impressive.
Jonny Boy wrote:your the idiot my friend!!! anyone who thinks big, famous names take you into the champions league and beyond must be on the same drugs as notlob.... just cos they wernt big money signings, just cos they wernt famous names.....doesnt mean they wont be successful.... keep the faith and less hostility!!!!!! we are all fans after all.....BWFC-TIL-I-DIE wrote: jonny boy.... i personally think that you talk utter sh*t*!! spending 20 - 30 mil doesnt always get you success.... westham, fulham, sunderland...spent millions...take note of how many of those are expensive mistakes by the end of the season... so what if we've spent so little money...do you think we'd have got braaten for 500k if he had 3 years left on his contract?? look at chelsea....4 free transfers during close season...does that mean they wont be up there... we have only taken advantage of a situation to bring in players below their true market value... give the team a chance, stop winjin and stick your head back up your 4ss!!!Ur an idiot. When once have I said spend all that?! Read the messages before u make urself look like an even bigger fool!
BWFC-TIL-I-DIE, BOLTON says...
12:51pm Thu 9 Aug 07
whatsgoingon, Bolton says...
12:52pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Keep the faith and lets create a cauldron this Saturday.
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
12:56pm Thu 9 Aug 07
mick I, bolton says...
12:56pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Trotter, Bolton says...
1:02pm Thu 9 Aug 07
Jonny Boy wrote:I love a happy ending.
Mr BWFC TILL I DIE that wud be reet good. Completely agree mate its jus good to see we all care! I jus hope we whoop newcastle! cause I cant bring meself to watch MOTD when we lose. It hurts too much. Ha!
Jonny Boy, Bolton says...
PJ, Bolton says...
10:16am Thu 9 Aug 07