Chris Deary continues his occasional column on following Wanderers while working in China.

The mantra "swifter, higher, stronger" is becoming increasingly important in China as the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 gets ever closer. Those three words came to my mind on two occasions in recent weeks: firstly after watching Wayne Rooney rip us apart during Manchester United's 4-0 win at the Reebok; then during a footballing humiliation of my very own, a 15-8 mauling for our western teachers' XI at the hands of a local Chinese side. Appropriately, the game took place at Dalian's Olympic Square, yet the Olympic spirit did little to inspire us. Tactical discussions during the pre-match meal centred around grandiose ideas like passing and moving, and interchanging positions.

Half an hour in, by which time it had become clear that our Chinese opponents were not only "swifter, higher and faster" than us, but also fitter, more skillful, more motivated and better organised (apart from that it was fairly even). We were left with only one option: hoof it long at every opportunity. It gave me a fresh understanding of why Big Sam has employed similar tactics with Bolton for as long as he has. Let's face it, the more time the ball spends gathering snow in the air, the less time the other team has of running circles round you.

I'm told that Sam's continued devotion to the long-ball approach has been blamed for a drop in attendances at the Reebok this season. I've always believed that winning comes first, entertainment second.

Counterfeit DVD sellers used to be rife on the city's streets, but a recent crackdown has forced the trade underground. After giving the right nod and wink in the electronics market, a friend and I were led (10 paces behind, of course) to an apartment building in the bowels of the stand behind one of the goals of club Dalian Shide's stadium.

A five minute wait offered the opportunity for a good look at the stadium through an open window on the staircase, and it looked quite impressive, if a little unloved.

The same couldn't be said for the DVD collection and my request for a Bolton Wanderers goal compilation DVD unsurprisingly fell on deaf ears.