Bolton Dare to Dream — Part Six: Time For A New Season

With 2001/02 wrapped up, it’s time to start looking ahead. Youri Djorkaeff’s performances have impressed France manager Jacques Santini, who names our star midfielder in his World Cup squad. Jay Jay Okocha is likewise selected for Nigeria, and we’ll be keeping up with their progress.

To raise transfer funds, third-choice keeper Steve Banks is sold to Scottish side Falkirk. Wages off the bill, and £475k in the bank. Thanks very much, Steve.

However, our next departure is a much sadder affair. I signed Gazza on a one-year deal to help boost the midfield, and in 30 appearances he scored three times and assisted five, which isn’t exactly world beating — plus, given the fact that he’s 35 and wants £13k a week for a new deal, means that it’s probably time to release him back into free agency. Hopefully another club can pick him up. Cheers, Gazza. Thanks for the good times.

Another player who I’m looking to shift on is Chris Armstrong. Despite his occasional super-sub appearances, his £17k a week contract is bleeding the club dry, and I think I can find a better, cheaper, player… such as this player my scouts picked up at the World Cup.

He’s just 20 years old, valued at £350k, with good numbers across the board and a staggering 32 caps for South Korea, which would more than qualify him for a work permit — I think Lee Chun-Soo is the man we need.

The calendar ticks over to the next season and activity starts popping up in my inbox. Michael Ricketts is voted as Bolton Player of the Year — no surprises there — and in the transfer market, Barcelona have signed Henrik Larsson for £12m, a signing which absolutely no one thought possible, I’m sure.

Speaking of £12m, that’s exactly how much we’re given in TV rights money, although it’s still not enough to tempt Neil Scally to the club (what do you have against us, Neil?). Nikos Tobros also signs for Bradford, so I respond by submitting a £1.5m bid for Everton centre-back Li Weifeng. He agrees terms, but I delay for a week in case better options come up.

And then I see this.

C’mon!

YES! TONTON’S COMING TO BOLTON! In my excitement I accidentally misclick and delay for a week, but it’s fine, we’ll get him eventually.

The board have increased the budget to almost £15m — a terrible mistake when you consider who they’re giving it to, someone who once almost bankrupted their club to sign R9. I confirm the signing of Li Weifeng on a very reasonable contract, and he’ll slot straight into the back four.

But he’s not the only one coming through. Our second signing of the window is a living legend, the greatest of the Cardiff City Super Swedes, a great friend to all CM managers, Tonton Zola Moukoko!

I also scout down the list of players that are transfer listed and interested in a move to our club… and one in particular has caught my eye. If we could pull this off, it’d be a real coup.

With Anas Skalidis refusing to move from Greece, Albert Luque might just be the next best thing. Much as I love Okocha, he didn’t exactly set the heather on fire last season, and someone like Albert might just be what we need to step in. My scouts at the World Cup also recommend a young Landon Donovan, who I might turn to as a backup option if we can’t get Luque.

At the World Cup, things are hotting up. Okocha’s Nigeria side were eliminated in the group stages, but France reach the round of 16 and beat South Africa. There are some massive shocks, too. Ireland knock out Argentina thanks to an extra-time goal from Damien Duff.

The US arguably outdo them.

And wouldn’t you believe it, it’s Landon Donovan with a goal in the match and the winning penalty in the shootout. There’s going to be quite the scramble to sign this guy, I dare say, so pre-empt them with a bid of my own.

Keen to add some more steel to my backline, I also submit a £5.5m bid for Panathinaikos’ Ifeani Udeze, one of the game’s best centre-backs. Just 21 years old, with some great attributes and 28 caps for Nigeria, he could be exactly what we need.

Things are going great in the transfer market, I think to myself. But we still haven’t sorted the striker situation. What I really need is a young talent, someone to backup my more experienced forwards. Of course, Wayne Rooney is a great option, but there’s no way Everton will agree to sell him… wait a minute.

£4.6m for a player of his calibre, so good at just 16, is an absolute steal. The only issue is the wage we’d have to pay, and I’m trying to reduce the bill. Okocha is our biggest earner at £25kp/w, and this has got me thinking. Mad as it might sound, I’m thinking that maybe we could do with moving him on quite soon. Now, he has fantastic Finishing, of course, but he only scored eight goals last season — the same number as Djorkaeff, who plays in midfield. There were quite a few times last season where he played well, but couldn’t score. It may well be worth giving him until January, and then if he doesn’t play well enough, seeing if we can attract some interest. Of course, I’m rooting for him, but football’s a tough business.

Rooney, unsurprisingly, doesn’t want to leave Everton, and we receive another blow when Udeze agrees terms with Tottenham. But who needs him anyway? Look at this!

Nikos Andrielos, one of the bona fide Super Greeks, is availble on the cheap! Who needs to take out a chunk of the budget when you can just do this? And we’re about to get another boost to the team…

We’ll have to wait for the work permit, but it should be a formality. Hold on, what’s that? An email from… Barcelona?!

Ah. Yes. I should probably explain.

I may have put in a £5.5m bid for Geovanni… and Barca have accepted. He only wants £3.1k a week, and with stats like that, who’s complaining?

We’ll be waiting on a work permit, but this could be a very good bit of business indeed. However, Deportivo have accepted my £6m bid for Albert Luque, which puts the Geovanni transfer in jeopardy — I can’t have both. If Luque agrees to reasonable contract terms, I’ll have to cancel the Geovanni deal.

In the meantime, backup centre-back, Paul Warhurst leaves the club to join West Ham on a free, taking £10kp/w off the wage bill. Good luck with the Hammers, Paul.

Italy win the World Cup, beating Germany 3–1 in the final.

But right now, all I’m focused on is this email.

And that’s not all. Remember Justin Walker, one of our failed transfer targets from last season? Well, we tried again.

We’ve got two new signings, and we’re ready to roll!

And it’s getting better, and better, and better.

Albert Luque’s wages are out of my league, so it looks like we’ll be signing Geovanni after all — not that I’m complaining, he’s still very good. And he’ll be linking up with the man, the myth, the legend…

What a signing! For just £1m (plus another £1m after 10 international caps) we’ve got a world-class forward, who’s also a very good midfielder, as several experiments on this game have shown me.

He arrives just in time for our first pre-season friendly, against Southampton, and will link up with Walker and Tonton in a new midfield three. Li and Niko partner each other for the first time, while the reassuring stability of Jussi, Stig Tofting, Jamie Victory, Mike Duff, Michael Ricketts and Jay Jay Okocha remains. Let’s see how we do.

Ah.

Not exactly the best way to introduce yourself, Niko. Two yellows in five minutes means he’s sent off on his debut, and Southampton cruise to a 2–0 victory. Still, there are positives — the new midfield three had some flashes of inspiration, though I might add one of the more experienced heads in to assist them in future. Okocha, however, struggled, recording a 5. With Geovanni arriving soon and the club in a bidding war for Anas Skalidis, he needs to step up his game.

And we’ve just had news from our old friends, the DWP… Lee Chun-Soo has his work permit!

Brilliant. What’s that?

He only wants hot prospect terms. He only wants £1kp/w. We’re going to sign Anas Skalidis!

Geovanni won’t be coming though, as he hasn’t got his work permit. To be honest, that’s probably for the best — we’ve got enough strikers anyway.

And here come another… what?!

Bologna?! You turned down six clubs to sign for Bologna? Anas, why?

Well, that throws a spanner in the works. No Luque, no Geovanni, and now no Skalidis at the club either. There is one last hope, which is cheaper, but an unproven talent at this point. Still, it’s someone you’re familiar with…

Yes, Isaac Nkubi is coming to Bolton (and Neil Scally is not, which is a shame). But regardless, welcome Isaac! It’s good to have you back.

I celebrate by selling backup striker Henrik Pedersen to Norwich for £1.8m, a tidy bit of profit.

That’ll be all for our transfers before the start of the season, because now we welcome Sunderland to the Reebok. There are only two of our new players in the XI — Weifeng in defence alongside Lucic and Tonton in midfield with Youri and Jermaine Johnson. Nkubi, Eldar, Walker and Andrielos all make the bench, as we hope to kick off our new season with a win.

It’s a thrilling start to the season, end to end stuff from both sides. Thomas Soresen and Jussi are kept very busy by the respective attacks of ourselves and Sunderland, but it’s the Wanderers who strike first. In the 37th minute, Tonton is tripped near the box, and Youri curls the free-kick home. The Black Cats hit back on the hour mark as Matthew Piper drives home a cross, setting up a grandstand finish. Eldar replaces Johnson, and when Tonton is forced off through injury, Walker comes on too. Both impress and come very close to giving us the lead again, but in the end we settle for a share of the spoils. I’ll take that.

Tonton will only be out for about 10 days, which is good news. There’s good news on the international front — Hendry is called up for Scotland, Hysen for Sweden U21s, Eldar for Bosnia, Jussi for Finland, and Duff for Northern Ireland.

Just before our next game against Blackburn, the draw for the League Cup second round is held, and we’re handed an away game against Division Three Oxford United — a comfortable match. Blackburn, however, almost certainly won’t be. I make one change to the XI as Eldar replaces Tonton, with Hysen coming on to the bench.

It’s total and utter domination from the home team, as they run out comfortable 2–0 winners. Our tendency to be outplayed down the the flanks persists, though I don’t know what we can really do about it. Nicky Southall struggled, and with Stig Tofting on the transfer list after declaring he wants a bigger challenge, we’re going to need a new DMC. But with Scally at Ayr and all the best options out of our price range, what can we do?

For our next game against Man City, I opt to shake things up a bit. Walker replaces Youri in midfield, and Lee Chun-Soo makes his first start in place of Okocha, in the hope that he provides the offensive spark we need.

That’s more like it lads! In the first half, I’ll admit, we’re very lucky, as City miss several chances and have a Paulo Wanchope goal ruled out for offside, but Michael Ricketts scores an absolute blockbuster from range to give us the lead after 34 minutes, stunning the away side. We grow into the game in the second half, and Lee Chun-Soo, I’m pleased to report, is a brilliant addition up front, forcing several saves out of Nicky Weaver, one of which rebounds to Justin Walker, and he taps in for his first Bolton goal. Mr Okocha, you have competition.

In the aftermath of the game, we confirm another sale — that of Stig Tofting to Spurs for £1m. He wanted a bigger challenge, I put him up for sale, and Tottenham put in the bid. That’s £24,000 a week off the wage bill and another million in the bank. Enjoy Tottenham, mate.

Bruno N’Gotty, who I’ve also been trying to sell, breaks his leg in training and will be out for six months, which is rough for him and for us. David Ginola is still making his recovery from the fractured skull that ruled him out of the end of the season, and he’ll be fit for playing in about two weeks. It’s the international break at the moment — several players feature, including Eldar, who makes his Bosnia debut in a 7–0 hammering by Germany. Per Frandsen, who kept complaining that he didn’t get a spot in the team last season, is sold to Oldham for £850k. Good riddance.

The physios report to me that Michael Ricketts has strained his calf and will be out for two weeks, which is annoying, but it’s a great opportunity for Isaac Nkubi to make a name for himself in the team.

He’s into the starting XI for our next game at home to Coventry. Andrielos replaces Weifeng, the only player to score below a 7 in the last game, and Tonton returns to the bench after his injury. Let’s see if we can keep up this momentum.

There’s only one conclusion to be drawn from this — I am a tactical genius.

It’s frustrating to only get a point — some wayward shooting (and Lee Chun-Soo having a goal of his own ruled out five minutes after Nkubi’s) cost us today, but what a moment for young Isaac. Even on the .68 patch, he’s lost none of the skills he brought to Cardiff. Consider that audition passed.

We do, however, still need a bit of strengthening in our defence — and when in doubt, look to Greece.

I’ve forked out £500k for the deal, but considering we have a budget of £13m, that’s not an issue, and Kalogeras is well worth it. I offer him important first team player terms, which may upset Jamie Victory, but when you compare the two there’s a clear winner.

And now he’s ours. Oh Premier League, you are not ready.

Another player I’ll be looking to incorporate into the squad is Byron Bubb, who’s been chilling in the reserves for some time. I promote him to the first team, and list him for loan, so hopefully he can get some first team minutes and develop those attributes nicely.

For our next game against Leeds, Ginola makes the bench. Mike Duff has picked up a knock and will miss the game, so Tobias Hysen deputises at right-back, with Kalogeras making his debut on the left. Youri returns to the midfield three, partnering Eldar and Tonton.

As you can tell from the defence’s ratings, it’s a defensive masterclass despite both attacks battling throughout the game. Kalogeras asserts himself on his debut and already looks to have nailed down a spot. Ginola makes his return as a sub, which is encouraging, but we can only take a point.

We’ve got our League Cup tie against Oxford next so I decide to rotate a bit. Voulgaris gets a start in goal, and Colin Hendry returns to the backline along with Victory. Ricardo Gardner plays at DMC, behind a midfield three comprising of Jeff Smith, Byron Bubb, and Ginola. Okocha and Nkubi man the forward guns.

No comment. No fucking comment. CM, I’m disappointed in you.

With that absolute travesty aside, we press on to our next game — Derby at the Reebok. It sees the return of most of our regular starters, including Michael Ricketts, operating up front with Nkubi. Maybe they can teach each other a thing or two.

Well, Isaac is both our star and our ruin. With Derby 1–0 up after 30 minutes, he crosses for Tonton to head home — the latter’s first Bolton goal — but the visitors pull ahead again just before half time. Then, with just over 10 minutes to play, Ricketts volleys home, but it’s ruled out for offside against — you guessed it — Nkubi. The end result is a dispiriting defeat.

Teddy Lucic replaces Weifeng for our next fixture against Chelsea, our only change. A win here would be a real morale booster against a side currently 7th in the table. I’d be careful, though. We haven’t forgotten the 7–2.

Oh, I am fuming. Both sides exchange early goals, Mario Stanic giving Chelsea the lead before Nkubi levels with a brilliant solo run and finish from 20 yards out. We looked great value for the draw, and then in the 89th minute, Mikeal Forssel volleys past Jussi to win the game for Chelsea. That’s a point lost, and we’re down to 15th.

The board at least, are happy, and our next game against West Brom, currently 17th, is a great chance to get three points. Okocha replaces Ricketts up front in our sole change.

Woeful stuff. West Brom have it all wrapped up in the first half, courtesy of a brace from Sean Gregan and a goal from Jason Roberts — all headers. The issue seems to lie in the defence. Andrielos and Lucic have flattered to deceive in the last couple of games, and it’s obviously Nicky Southall is not up to the job of playing DMC week in, week out. We need another player in that position desperately.

Oh great, it’s Arsenal next, brilliant. I rotate a little, bringing in Chun-Soo to partner Nkubi, Johnson and Walker to the midfield three, and Hysen at DMC. Weifeng partners Andrielos at the back.

Fucking hell, we actually got something out of that! I wasn’t expecting much when Francis Jeffers gave the Gunners an early lead, but Walker scores from an Nkubi rebound after half an hour and Youri curled home a free-kick after 40 minutes — clearly, they’ve got trademark styles. Craig Burley almost immediately equalises, but a superb defensive performances — barring a red card for Kalogeras — sees us take a point from a tough encounter. I’m happing with that.

Kalogeras is banned for three matches starting from the 26th of October, but Jamie Victory can step in so I’m not too worried. Another £500k goes into the bank as Northampton sign Bulent Akin in a deal that’s mutually beneficial for both parties.

In an unorthodox move for our next game against Everton I decide to play Eldar up front alongside Nkubi, with Tonton slotting into the midfield three. Let’s see how that goes.

Oh it goes very, very, well. Neither score, but both get 8s, and Eldar is a nuisance to the defence all game, drawing several fouls, and crucially heading down a Djorkaeff free-kick for Andrielos to volley home in the 48th minute — his first goal for Bolton and the only goal of a tightly contested game. We finally have another win this season, and it feels good.

Next up is a home game against a Newcastle side struggling in 12th — despite the strength of their squad, I smell an upset. Kalogeras’ suspension has started so he’s replaced by Victory, and Lucic is also brought into the squad in place of Weifeng. His job can’t be that difficult. After all, he’s only marking Alan Shearer.

Oh for fuck’s sake.

I’m not angry. I’m just frustrated. In fairness, we pushed Newcastle hard, but Shay Given was like a brick wall in the net, and once the ball got to the Newcastle forwards, you know the rest. Alan Shearer is an absolute beast on this game — I actually had an offer accepted for him, but he turned it down, so maybe I’ll try again in the summer. Hysen’s out for ten days, which is also fun.

We do at least scoop the Young Player of the Month award thanks to Andrielos, who can be a bit hit and miss, but on his day, he’s great, and since he’s only 18 he’s got plenty of room to develop.

We’re playing mid-table Wolves next, and Michael Ricketts returns up front in place of Eldar, with Okocha on the bench. Hopefully he and Nkubi can get us the victory today.

They do not. A very good Wolves team, featuring plenty of stars, score two. It could have been five, in all honestly. Nkubi has a goal ruled out for offside, but Ricketts can’t score and Okocha does little better.

It’s Middlesbrough up next, 16th against 17th. We desperately need a win, and so I recall Ginola to the starting 11, bring back Southall in place of Hysen, and give Eldar a seat on the bench.

Brilliant! We’re under the cosh for most of the game, and it’s mostly the heroics of Jussi that keeps things level, but Nkubi gives us the lead just before half time, only for us to be immediately pegged back by Carlos Arthuro Marinelli. But we don’t let it faze us, keep up the attacks, and we get our breakthrough in the 76th minute. Keeper Mark Brown fouls Tonton in the area, the referee awards the penalty, and Andrielos scores to give us a tight win.

And we’ve got some great news in the transfer market.

This could be the remedy we need. Our forwards are under pressure — could Lunden be the man to replace him?

I’ve singled out Okocha thus far, but it feels unfair. Ricketts only has one goal in seven games and has an average rating under 7. Lee Chun-Soo hasn’t scored either — in fact, only Nkubi has, and with four goals is our top scorer. So Okocha will have a go up front in our next game against third-placed Aston Villa. Jermaine Johnson returns to the XI, with Hysen on the bench as Ginola’s picked up a minor injury. Kalogeras, back from suspension, is at left-back, while Weifeng slots in at centre-back to replace Teddy Lucic.

WE’RE WINNING AWAY, WE’RE WINNING AWAY, HOW SHIT MUST YOU BE, WE’RE WINNING AWAY!

Oh yes, it’s back-to-back wins, and fully deserved as well. A header from Johnson and a cool strike from Nkubi put us 2–0 up by half time, with Lee Hendrie’s goal nothing more than a consolation. The only downside was an injury to Weifeng, and another poor performance from Okocha. When Lunden comes, he’ll be angling for his place.

Off the back of that result, it’s a great place to finish a massive Part Six. Now all we have to do is translate this into momentum, and catapult ourselves up the table. C’mon Bolton!

Part Seven coming soon!