Reebok striker battle paying dividends (From The Bolton News)

Reebok striker battle paying dividends

10:10am Thursday 5th November 2009

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GARY Megson reckons the rivalry among his strikers is having the desired effect.

Johan Elmander was praised for his performance against Chelsea at the weekend — a response, claims the Wanderers boss, to Ivan Klasnic’s arrival on loan from Nantes.

With his place in the side no longer guaranteed, the club record signing has broken a 23-game scoring duck and turned in some encouraging displays since the Croatian international came to the Reebok in August.

Now Megson has challenged Elmander to push on to greater things, starting with a trip to Villa Park on Saturday, a ground on which he has already scored in his Premier League career.

“Ivan has come in, Johan has responded, that’s the idea,” said Megson. “He linked up really well with Kevin Davies and the two of them looked a big threat, even against John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, and the quality they have.

“I have spoken to Johan about being positive. He has got to look to turn, be on the front foot more and, most importantly, get in front of the goal and look to finish. He had four shots against Chelsea on Saturday and that’s more like it.”

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