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Billionaire Roman deserves credit, says Megson
9:55am Friday 9th May 2008
PILLORIED for using his roubles to "buy" two Premiership titles and sending football's finances out of kilter, Roman Abramovich is regarded as little more than a here-today-gone-tomorrow foreign interloper on the Premiership scene.
Outside his particular corner of West London, the mega-wealthy Russian has been vilified by many as a scourge on the game.
Even now, there are reports that he's ready to splash another £80million this summer.
But Gary Megson believes the Tsar of Chelsea deserves credit for raising the bar, not just at Premiership level but throughout Europe.
He believes even the giants of Spain and Italy have profited from his input with Real Madrid, Barcelona and the Milan clubs now striving to keep up with England's finest.
"Abramovich has come in with his multi-millions and what he's done is raise the level for everybody," Megson said. "Not just the ones that they are competing with, but he's raised the level for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Ajax.
"And in the domestic leagues it's raised the level for everybody else."
Playing at Stamford Bridge on "Super Sunday," Wanderers could influence the destination of the Premier League title with Chelsea locked in a dramatic last-day duel with Manchester United.
The odds are on Sir Alex Ferguson's Reds winning at Wigan and leaving Chelsea in runners-up spot for the second successive season. But the fact that they have run their rivals so close again after Jose Mourinho's departure in September, is a testimony to the job Avram Grant has done, even though then Israeli's future is by no means secure.
Megson, however, is not surprised to see Chelsea giving United such a good run for their money.
"Not when they've got that quality," he said. "They've got some of the best players in the world down there."
Barring a disaster of biblical proportions, Megson will be competing again next season in what he regards as the best league in the world. And there is no disgusing the pride he has in the English Premier League, despite the detractors who claim the dominance of the so-called "Big Four" have made it all-too predictable.
Kevin Keegan caused a stir on Monday after Chelsea ensured the title race would go to the wire with a 2-0 win at St James' Park.
He meant to issue a reality check to Newcastle supporters running away with the idea that they might be challenging for honours next season and give a wake-up call to the club's billionaire owner Mike Ashley by claiming the Magpies were "a million miles away" from, the top four. But, while making his financial point, he also said the Premiership had become boring, which caused a few eyebrows to be raised.
Megson, for one, has not found it boring, highlighting the fact that Wanderers are going into their last match still not mathematically safe and that Chelsea could pip United for the title.
"I can't remember a finish where you've got one game to go and it's not been decided who wins it (the title) and there are still two of the relegation spots to be decided," he added.
"I don't really think Kevin would have meant it was boring in that context.
"I think he would have said that you can say who is going to win it, but if you look at every league in Europe it's nearly the same.
"I wouldn't be too far off if I tried now to predict who woud win the Eredivisie in Holland next year, who would be top of the Spanish League, and who will be top of the Itailan league, because that is the way that it is going.
"But it's certainly not boring."
Your Say Yourtheboltonnews
Carl_XVI_Gustaf, Sverige says...
10:43am Fri 9 May 08
davie, leigh says...
11:26am Fri 9 May 08
Lets hope 3,000 of us can drown out the dreadful.
Ten men went to mow.
Went to mow a.....
We are the one and only Wanderers!!!
Brak, Bolton says...
11:32am Fri 9 May 08
il duce wrote:Haha nice one.
i really have no idea what megsons pre match "psychology" is all about??????? every match he acts like he wants to jump into bed with the opposition manager or chairman, the amount he sucks up to them.....
I bet Megson will have a flutter on who will win Eurovision as well!
Chris Baron, Bolton says...
12:02pm Fri 9 May 08
Chris Baron, Bolton says...
12:02pm Fri 9 May 08
Muzzle, Bolton says...
12:02pm Fri 9 May 08
Chris Baron, Bolton says...
12:03pm Fri 9 May 08
Chris Manning, Gotham City PD, says...
12:19pm Fri 9 May 08
Muzzle wrote:Internet know-nowts made it up and it snowballed from there.
Notice the so called rumours re a takeover at our place have gone dead
Don't hold yer breath.
Andy, Staffordshire says...
12:49pm Fri 9 May 08
howfenguy, westhoughton says...
1:18pm Fri 9 May 08
smithy, st helens says...
1:41pm Fri 9 May 08
Carl_XVI_Gustaf wrote:Better still Megson why don't you walk out of the Reebok after Sundays game and take s&*t house Gartside with you
Why don't you keep your trap shut, Megson?
warwickshire white, Leamington Spa says...
2:04pm Fri 9 May 08
matty_c, Bolton says...
2:04pm Fri 9 May 08
Rob, Worsley says...
2:14pm Fri 9 May 08
1_2_many, says...
2:25pm Fri 9 May 08
Andy Jones, says...
2:26pm Fri 9 May 08
Billionaire Roman deserves credit, says MegsonIf he's a billionaire you'd think he wouldn't need credit.
Andy Jones, says...
2:27pm Fri 9 May 08
warwickshire white wrote:That Megson fella who's in most of the quotes, he's the manager of BWFC don'tcha know.
What's this article got to do with BWFC?
Reevsey n Philliskirk, stood ont burnden terrace (Bread Isle at ASDA now) says...
2:31pm Fri 9 May 08
Ask a Rotherham fan and a Luton fan if Romans been good for football imsure they'd agree as the administrators take a hold of their clubs the rich get richer the poor get poorer.
neon, Greenville, SC says...
2:52pm Fri 9 May 08
Keegan was spot on!
It is boring when you know before the season starts that the title has been won by one of four clubs.
Year in, year out with no end in sight.
In fact I will bet that this will continue for the next decade with only two possible ways out.
1. Another multi-billionaire comes in to rival the money spent by the big four.
2. We find parody by means of a salary cap.
Alright Sir Alex, here you, go . . . 20 mil quid. same as Bolton same as Wigan, and that's it for your entire team.
Sorry Mr. Wenger, Mr. Grant . . . yes, you too Rafa. That's all you get. Deal with it!
Let's see how good a coach you really are when you're put on a level playing field.
End of Rant!
matty_c, Bolton says...
3:20pm Fri 9 May 08
neon, Greenville, SC says...
3:23pm Fri 9 May 08
Brak, Bolton says...
3:54pm Fri 9 May 08
FERGIE QUESTIONS BOLTON`S ATTITUDE
Sir Alex Ferguson has accused the Bolton players of 'partying' after effectively securing their Premiership survival last week and compared their attitude to that of Wigan, United's opponents this weekend.
If Bolton were to win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, Manchester United would be Premier League champions, no matter what the outcome of their trip to Wigan.
Yet Ferguson has been staggered at talk of a party atmosphere developing at Bolton this week after the Trotters secured Premier League survival by beating Sunderland.
"Nobody is saying anything about Bolton," said Ferguson in his Friday press conference.
"People have questioned Wigan's integrity but when you look at it, the different attitudes are quite interesting.
"The Wigan players are coming out and saying 'we want to beat Manchester United'. That is fine, we are a big club. And then you hear about Bolton players out partying all week. That difference in attitudes amazes me.
"But both teams are safe, relaxed and confident. Yet one can celebrate and the other is all keyed up to play against Manchester United."
However, Ferguson then changed tact to declare that he was nonetheless confident that Bolton would give Chelsea a stern test.
"The only thing that gives me confidence about Bolton is the manager and assistant manager.
"I worked with Archie Knox for many years at Aberdeen and United.
"I wish he was playing because he will not enjoy having his players out celebrating and neither will Gary Megson.
"It is an important game. I am confident in these two guys taking their team to Chelsea."
Le Roi, says...
3:57pm Fri 9 May 08
matty_c, Bolton says...
4:08pm Fri 9 May 08
Brak wrote:what the hell is fergie going on about we dont owe them anything and i couldnt care less who wins the league but to be honest i would prefer chelsea to win because a least they dont come out with cr*p like this or play mind games when they play us they just get on with the game
Here (seeing as BN takes so long to catch up). This is one article but u read another about it and it has different slant on it. Wonder what slant BN will put on it! FERGIE QUESTIONS BOLTON`S ATTITUDE Sir Alex Ferguson has accused the Bolton players of 'partying' after effectively securing their Premiership survival last week and compared their attitude to that of Wigan, United's opponents this weekend. If Bolton were to win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, Manchester United would be Premier League champions, no matter what the outcome of their trip to Wigan. Yet Ferguson has been staggered at talk of a party atmosphere developing at Bolton this week after the Trotters secured Premier League survival by beating Sunderland. "Nobody is saying anything about Bolton," said Ferguson in his Friday press conference. "People have questioned Wigan's integrity but when you look at it, the different attitudes are quite interesting. "The Wigan players are coming out and saying 'we want to beat Manchester United'. That is fine, we are a big club. And then you hear about Bolton players out partying all week. That difference in attitudes amazes me. "But both teams are safe, relaxed and confident. Yet one can celebrate and the other is all keyed up to play against Manchester United." However, Ferguson then changed tact to declare that he was nonetheless confident that Bolton would give Chelsea a stern test. "The only thing that gives me confidence about Bolton is the manager and assistant manager. "I worked with Archie Knox for many years at Aberdeen and United. "I wish he was playing because he will not enjoy having his players out celebrating and neither will Gary Megson. "It is an important game. I am confident in these two guys taking their team to Chelsea."
hendee1, corby, northants says...
4:15pm Fri 9 May 08
charlie, wigan says...
4:22pm Fri 9 May 08
Brak wrote:My heart bleeds for Fergie as if we would to do them a favour anyway
Here (seeing as BN takes so long to catch up). This is one article but u read another about it and it has different slant on it. Wonder what slant BN will put on it! FERGIE QUESTIONS BOLTON`S ATTITUDE Sir Alex Ferguson has accused the Bolton players of 'partying' after effectively securing their Premiership survival last week and compared their attitude to that of Wigan, United's opponents this weekend. If Bolton were to win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, Manchester United would be Premier League champions, no matter what the outcome of their trip to Wigan. Yet Ferguson has been staggered at talk of a party atmosphere developing at Bolton this week after the Trotters secured Premier League survival by beating Sunderland. "Nobody is saying anything about Bolton," said Ferguson in his Friday press conference. "People have questioned Wigan's integrity but when you look at it, the different attitudes are quite interesting. "The Wigan players are coming out and saying 'we want to beat Manchester United'. That is fine, we are a big club. And then you hear about Bolton players out partying all week. That difference in attitudes amazes me. "But both teams are safe, relaxed and confident. Yet one can celebrate and the other is all keyed up to play against Manchester United." However, Ferguson then changed tact to declare that he was nonetheless confident that Bolton would give Chelsea a stern test. "The only thing that gives me confidence about Bolton is the manager and assistant manager. "I worked with Archie Knox for many years at Aberdeen and United. "I wish he was playing because he will not enjoy having his players out celebrating and neither will Gary Megson. "It is an important game. I am confident in these two guys taking their team to Chelsea."
Le Roi, says...
4:26pm Fri 9 May 08
Chris Manning, Gotham City PD, says...
4:27pm Fri 9 May 08
Le Roi wrote:So what'll you be doing Surrey boy?
All proper Northeners will be cheering United on, on Sunday.
BWFC - TIL - I - DIE, BOLTON says...
4:31pm Fri 9 May 08
Le Roi wrote:you aint got any northern fans ya sap !!!!
All proper Northeners will be cheering United on, on Sunday.
matty_c, Bolton says...
4:35pm Fri 9 May 08
Le Roi wrote:erm........no
All proper Northeners will be cheering United on, on Sunday.
hendee1, corby, northants says...
5:00pm Fri 9 May 08
MICK, BOLTON says...
5:01pm Fri 9 May 08
Le Roi wrote:I wont and im a proper northerner cos we've got a statue of fred.
All proper Northeners will be cheering United on, on Sunday.
neon, Greenville, SC says...
5:19pm Fri 9 May 08
Only complains about officiating when results don't go his way.
Looks for excuses under any rock rather than blame himself for not having his team prepared.
Get off the pot and get your own house in order.
We'll give Chelski a run for the money
Trotter, Bolton says...
5:40pm Fri 9 May 08
Muzzle wrote:Quite the opposite from what I have heard.
Notice the so called rumours re a takeover at our place have gone dead
Aki, South West says...
5:59pm Fri 9 May 08
*hitonutd, MANCHESTER says...
6:29pm Fri 9 May 08
A RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE
A RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE
WIN THE LEAGUE WITH A RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE
A RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE A RUSSSIAN BILLIONAIRE
BUY THE CUP WITH A RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE A RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE A RUSSIAN BILLIONAIRE"
Above is song for Sunday......
but back to the Fergie and Manu thing.As far as I'm concern it would be great if Wigan do the business and Chelsea win the league.As for saying it's not right for our players to celebrate,I say get stuffed Fergie because the 6 points you lost a City and the 3 points lost at the Reebok is the real reason the title can go to Chelsea.
Dont_Tell_Him_Pike, Chorley says...
8:03pm Fri 9 May 08
Le Roi, says...
8:09pm Fri 9 May 08
Impossible.
bwfcadam, bury says...
8:14pm Fri 9 May 08
BWFC - TIL - I - DIE, BOLTON says...
8:14pm Fri 9 May 08
Trotter wrote:cant just leave it at that trotter!!! whats our latest take over gossip??
Muzzle wrote: Notice the so called rumours re a takeover at our place have gone deadQuite the opposite from what I have heard.
trotters1964, preston says...
8:27pm Fri 9 May 08
AlanHandsome, Garstang says...
8:29pm Fri 9 May 08
I know a lot of people are dressing up hehe, ill be supplying the beach balls!!!
"Lets all have a disco"
Also just checked, every single premiership club playing away this weekend has sold there full allocation, including teams that never sell out, Blackburn, Fulham, Bolton lol. Villa's taking 3000 to West Ham so the roads into Manchester might get busy, but it wernt to bad against Spurs apart from when that coach crashed (Getting out was a nightmare though)
Anyone wearing Campo wigs for his last game, ill find mine tomorrow me thinks!!
Anyone heard anything on our new kit, rumours on bbc of an adidas kit similar to derbys, white but will navy blue and "trotters" inscribed on back and sponsored by "Boddingtons", might be just tripe though???
AlanHandsome, Garstang says...
8:31pm Fri 9 May 08
roads into Manchester
London sorry!!
Le Roi, says...
8:42pm Fri 9 May 08
hendee1, corby, northants says...
10:31pm Fri 9 May 08
matty_c, Bolton says...
10:35pm Fri 9 May 08
AlanHandsome wrote:the new kit thing is probably tripe 1. were sponsered by reebok 2. theres no mention of a new kit on offical bwfc website and i think it would appear on there before bbc
Should be awesome on Sunday, carnival atmsosphere from the whites fans, anyone know how many coaches are going?? I know a lot of people are dressing up hehe, ill be supplying the beach balls!!! "Lets all have a disco" Also just checked, every single premiership club playing away this weekend has sold there full allocation, including teams that never sell out, Blackburn, Fulham, Bolton lol. Villa's taking 3000 to West Ham so the roads into Manchester might get busy, but it wernt to bad against Spurs apart from when that coach crashed (Getting out was a nightmare though) Anyone wearing Campo wigs for his last game, ill find mine tomorrow me thinks!! Anyone heard anything on our new kit, rumours on bbc of an adidas kit similar to derbys, white but will navy blue and "trotters" inscribed on back and sponsored by "Boddingtons", might be just tripe though???
charlie, wigan says...
10:46pm Fri 9 May 08
AlanHandsome wrote:Won't be going on Sun but will be there in spirit.
Should be awesome on Sunday, carnival atmsosphere from the whites fans, anyone know how many coaches are going?? I know a lot of people are dressing up hehe, ill be supplying the beach balls!!! "Lets all have a disco" Also just checked, every single premiership club playing away this weekend has sold there full allocation, including teams that never sell out, Blackburn, Fulham, Bolton lol. Villa's taking 3000 to West Ham so the roads into Manchester might get busy, but it wernt to bad against Spurs apart from when that coach crashed (Getting out was a nightmare though) Anyone wearing Campo wigs for his last game, ill find mine tomorrow me thinks!! Anyone heard anything on our new kit, rumours on bbc of an adidas kit similar to derbys, white but will navy blue and "trotters" inscribed on back and sponsored by "Boddingtons", might be just tripe though???
Really envious have a brill time and hope the team cause an upset.
Give them a shout for me!!
UP THE WHITES!!
culchethwhite, Culcheth says...
11:26pm Fri 9 May 08
Trotter, Bolton says...
11:38am Sat 10 May 08
BWFC - TIL - I - DIE wrote:The company "Reebok" have been contacted regarding negotiations - that is all I know except that this has been going on now for months.
Trotter wrote:cant just leave it at that trotter!!! whats our latest take over gossip??Muzzle wrote: Notice the so called rumours re a takeover at our place have gone deadQuite the opposite from what I have heard.
run rabbit run, Fantasy island says...
8:10pm Sat 10 May 08
Le Roi wrote:Smaller, and with an inferiorty complex of the original. You and Manchester chime perfectly. Eh Roy Naldo?
You were right first time. Manchester is the true capital of the country.
chiphill spud, nottingham says...
12:15am Sun 11 May 08
Bolton Chronicle, Bolton says...
8:01am Sun 11 May 08
Le Roi wrote:Don't you mean all proper SOUTHERNERS!
All proper Northeners will be cheering United on, on Sunday.
Man U is a SOUTHERN club with southern heart and a true loyal southern following!
Bolton Chronicle, Bolton says...
8:02am Sun 11 May 08
Bolton Chronicle wrote:Thank goodness with regards to the new forum facilities - hopefully it will mean a cut down on the fraudsters such as Bolton-loving Le Roi!!!
Le Roi wrote: All proper Northeners will be cheering United on, on Sunday.Don't you mean all proper SOUTHERNERS! Man U is a SOUTHERN club with southern heart and a true loyal southern following!
Le Roi, says...
9:30am Sun 11 May 08
Live in Bolton, heart in Manchester.
Will be moving soon away from the tache ridden, polyester brigade.
Pedro, Bolton says...
9:40am Sun 11 May 08
Lovely day here in the Capital. Just waiting for you 2,999 to get here!!
NO GINGER MOURINHO CHANTS PLEASE!!!
Come on you Whites!!!!
Le Roi, says...
11:25am Sun 11 May 08
He has too much to offer, too many to educate.....
Le Roi, says...
7:59pm Sun 11 May 08
Rejoice,
10 titles
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this is my luuurrvvee to all the Bolton fans who wanted United to win it.
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il duce, bolton says...
10:05am Fri 9 May 08