YOURI Djorkaeff is relishing his love affair with Wanderers fans writes Neil Bonnar

The midfield maestro is passionate about the special relationship and senses the feeling is mutual.

"The fans love me because I always try to do something special for them and they appreciate it," he says.

Djorkaeff is savouring every minute of the new lease of life he has been given in Bolton.

His arrival from German club Kaiserslautern last season marked the start of a new beginning for the 34-year-old whose instant impact and consistent top form earned him a return to the French World Cup side.

That proved to be ill-fated with Djorkaeff struggling as much as anybody in a poor French side. But there was no unhappy ending for Wanderers who have much to thank him for as his influence played a big part in winning a relegation battle which could prove a turning point in the club's history.

No price could be put on his 12 quality performances and four goals at the end of last season.

He liked the club, the team and the fans and they all liked him. The perfect match was too strong for him to turn his back on and, although he had other offers in the summer, the pull of the Reebok was irresistible.

It sounds like a Mills and Boon story told above the soundtrack to Love Story but it also shows there is still romance to be found in the greedy world of football.

Djorkaeff has done pretty much everything there is to do in football including win the World Cup but he still finds something very special to him at Bolton and helping establish Wanderers in the Premiership before he retires at the end of his contract in June 2003 is as big a challenge to him as anything he has achieved in his illustrious career.

And the feelings he has for the fans are a major reason for his desire to help Wanderers succeed.

"The fans understand me and I understand them," he said.

"It is a good relationship. They want something special from me all the time and I try to do it. They love me for that.

"I try to do special things for the fans who pay for tickets and come out in the rain to watch the team. I try to give them joy and they love me for it."

The relationship can move on to another level if Djorkaeff inspires Wanderers to another famous victory tonight and he suggests it can be done if the players believes in themselves.

"When you play at Manchester United you always get chances to score," he said. "If you think you can win sometimes you can win.

"But it is very hard because they have the best goalkeeper, the best defender, the best midfielder and the best striker.

"You have to believe in yourself because if you believe with your mind and your heart you can achieve in one game something which you maybe could not achieve for the rest of the season.

"The team has this feeling that it could be a special day. Nobody knows what will happen but it is good to have positive feelings.

"The first points against Aston Villa were good for the team and we have since prepared very well for this game. We have worked very hard and all the squad is ready to play this game.

"It's the first big game and the atmosphere is special. It is not like this all the time in Bolton.

"There is no pressure on us because if we lose everybody says it is normal. We have nothing to lose and all the pressure is on United, they are a big team and this is a must-win game for them."