Chairman primed for another exciting season (From The Bolton News)

Chairman primed for another exciting season

10:10am Thursday 9th August 2007 in

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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."