ANOTHER landmark month in the history of Bolton Wanderers kicked off with Nicolas Anelka rescuing a 1-0 victory over Rabotnicki at the Reebok to see the Whites through to the group phase of the UEFA Cup. But Sammy Lee was on borrowed time.
The axe fell on October 17 after he had controversially dropped Kevin Nolan and Gary Speed for the home game against Chelsea.
A subsequent spat between the manager and Speed over who decided that the veteran midfielder should step down from his coaching duties illustrated to the world that Wanderers was a club in turmoil and that something had to be done.
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Archie Knox, the former Manchester United and Everton assistant manager appointed by Lee as coaching co-ordinator, took temporary charge of the team at Arsenal, where the Whites lost 2-0. But, within five days, Gary Megson had quit Leicester City and been confirmed as Phil Gartside's controversial choice as the man to lead the battle for Premiership survival.
Graeme Souness, Chris Coleman, Steve Bruce and Paul Jewell had all been in the frame but Megson, whose only previous Premiership experience was at West Brom, was appointed against a tide of objections from fans.
He arrived without fanfare and no red carpet and kept the lowest of profiles as Wanderers kicked off their UEFA Cup group programme with a disappointing 1-1 draw with the Portuguese side Braga.
But he made it clear from the outset that survival was then name of the game and opened his account with a 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa.
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