WANDERERS’ plans for self-sufficiency are best illustrated by the summer arrival of Rob Hall – who Dougie Freedman believes will become a big profit-maker for the club.

Wanderers went to tribunal with West Ham in the summer, paying £450,000 up front for the former Hammers academy star.

And has proved to be a popular signing among fans, albeit one whose chances in the first team have been relatively few and far between. Of his 17 appearances, nine have been from the bench and he has started just one game since the end of September.

Freedman is advocating a patient approach for the ex-England youth international and reckons the relatively modest fee paid in August will be reaped back with interest in the future.

“The fans can see Rob Hall has quality and so can I, but with players at that age it’s about working with them every day,” he said. “I’d like to think I’ll be quoted on this in a couple of years – he will be a wonderful player for this football club.

“People say to me that I need players right now, well I know that. But I can’t go and buy a Rob Hall for £4million; I bought him for £450,000. It’ll take time for him to become that player and he will be, but that’s where we are.”

“Bolton fans have been good to me in terms of what we are trying to do. Of course there are ups and downs but in general they have been very good and understand I have got to cut my cloth accordingly and got behind the players who are out there.”