Bolton Dare to Dream — Part Ten: A New Swedish Hero
Well, this is slightly embarrassing.
Remember the end of Part Nine? Our great comeback draw against Leeds, a great result for our team? Well, I’ll come clean. I restarted my laptop and forgot to save, meaning the game goes back to its latest autosave, before the Leeds game. Now, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to replay a game — crashes meant I redid quite a few in Bluebirds to Glory — but usually before the writeup was published. I can’t really go back and re-edit Part Nine, so instead I’m just going to have to re-run the game, and in the interests of fairness, we will be using the exact same lineup and making the exact same substitutions.
Of. Fucking. Course.
Rather than the exciting, end to end game we had in our original run, Leeds dominate, somehow only scoring once thanks to Rhys Evans, and we have Mike Duff sent off, dropping a point. He’s banned for three games from the 5th of October and I can’t help but feel the game’s shafted us there.
Ah well, we move on, and bid farewell to Bruno N’Gotty, who’s finally leaving the club having agreed a deal with Austrian side Sturm Graz, netting us £575k. Good luck Bruno.
Antonis Voulgaris will also be moving away from the club, albeit temporarily, on loan to the sunny Torquay, fighting to avoid relegation from Division Three, but if anyone can keep them up, it’s him.
The League Cup third round draw is held, and we get a decent draw — Tottenham away. Not the best, not the worst. We can have them.
Next up is a tricky game, though — Blackburn at the Reebok. Currently sixth in the table and with a talented side, we’re going to need to be at our best to beat them. Andrielos replaces Weston at centre-back and Rooney takes Batigol’s place up front in our only two changes.
Seven minutes in and my choice pays dividends as Wazza scores his first Bolton goal — what can I say, I’m a tactical genius — and what follows is an entertaining game at both ends. Tugay heads in after 37 minutes to level the scores, but they would have scored more were it not for Rhys Evans’ nine saves in the game. The kid’s a star, and right now he’s keeping Yussi out of the team. We have quite a few efforts ourselves, but a 1–1 draw seems fair.
It’s a quick turnaround to our next game, but it’s a big one, at home to Southampton, 18th in the league to our 17th. I rotate heavily, but there’s still plenty of firepower in the side.
It’s a clinical victory by the Bolton boys. Eldar opens the scoring with a brilliant curling strike from twenty yards after just three minutes, and despite Weston limping off injured after 12 minutes, we press on and quickly win a penalty after Callum Davenport fouls Ginola in the box. Kalogeras scores to give us a two-goal lead.
It’s much the same in the second half. Just before the hour mark, keeper Paul Jones clips Nkubi in the box and Kalogeras scores from the penalty spot again. Jamie Buchan nets a consolation but Eldar adds another goal late on, grabbing a Ginola rebound before blasting past Jones. It’s probably the most impressive performance of his Bolton career so far. Michael Ricketts also made a nice cameo off the bench and could be in line for a starting spot, especially in the cup. The victory is a morale-booster for us and proves we’re definitely capable of pushing up the league.
Nkubi didn’t score in that game, but in the international break he more than makes up for it, scoring for Sweden U21s in a 3–0 win over Macedonia. Wales narrowly miss out on the Euro 2004 qualifying playoffs by a point, but it’s better than England, who finish a dismal fourth in their group and lose to Moldova. They’ll be getting a new manager soon.
We’ve got another bottom of the table clash now as we head to Maine Road to play Man City, in 19th. The superb performances of a lot of players is giving me a selection headache. Both Bak and Inamoto have made great starts to the season but as I want to try out Hill and Andrielos at centre-back, only one gets in, and it’s the Pole this time, with Teddy Lucic drafted it at right-back for the suspended Duff. Eldar retains his place in the midfield three alongside Tonton and Youri — Batigol and Nkubi continue up front despite not having scored this season.
It’s another frustrating draw, with both goals coming in the first half — an Ali Benarbia free kick is cancelled out by a Lucien Mettomo own goal, Tonton’s shot deflecting off the defender and in, but we struggle to make inroads. The performance of Nkubi and Batigol puzzles me. Both are playing well, getting high ratings in most games, but still can’t score. I’ll take draws over losses, but we need wins!
Oh bloody hell. Rhys Weston’s pulled his calf in training and is out for a month. At the same time, I receive an offer from Division One side Ipswich Town — £2.3m for Li Weifeng. I consider this for a moment, then decide to accept. Weifeng hasn’t really set the heather on fire here, it would free up room in the squad, and since we signed him for £1.5m it represents a nice return on investment. He agrees terms, and leaves the club. It’s been nice having you on the team, Li, and if things go well you’ll back in the Prem soon, as Ipswich are currently third in the league and two points off the top spot.
Oh boy, it’s a big one up next — Arsenal are here. They’ve got all the heroes you might expect, although curiously they’ve jacked in all their usual keepers and have ex-Fulham player Jamie Langfield between the sticks. I keep with the lineup from last game, save for Tobias Hysen replacing Lucic and Ronaldo taking Tonton’s spot as he takes a seat on the bench.
YESSSS!!!! HAVE THAT!!!!
It’s a Bolton masterclass for sure. Nkubi breaks his goalless streak with a fantastic strike from 20 yards after just eight minutes. But it all threatens to come apart towards the end of the first half — Thierry Henry levels with a header after 33 minutes and five minutes later Bastituta limps off. Step forward Wayne Rooney. He’s immediately up and at the Arsenal defence, and two minutes into the second half meets a cross from Bak with a fantastic volley that Langfield can only watch as it flies past him. It’s Wazza’s true coming of age, and a fantastic defensive performance sees us take a stunning win.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Batigol pulled his calf and that’s ruled him out for two months. It’s obviously disheartening to see our Argentine hero sidelined, but it gives a great chance to Rooney, and Michael Ricketts, who’s pushing for a starting spot. He can play backup to Wazza for now, though I’ll be looking to him to lead the line in the cup.
We’re off to Wolves next. Same lineup apart from Batigol, let’s go.
Oh thank fuck for Isaac Nkubi. We were under the cosh — despite a relatively close game — after Bak was sent off for two yellows. With 11 minutes to go Colin Cameron scored. Then in the last minute of injury time, Nkubi hits the ball from way out, and somehow it goes in after an entire game of stubborn defence from Michael Oakes. It’s a point. I’ll take a point.
I’ve also decided Jonas Lunden needs some more experience out on loan, seeing as the side’s pretty full at the moment, so he’s off to fight it out in League Two with Port Vale. Good luck, Jonas. Hopefully, you’ll come back with all the skills needed for a starting place.
Time for the League Cup third round and our opponents are Tottenham Hotspur, at their place. I would pick Rhys Weston at centre-back but he’s been out for about two weeks with an injury and will be sidelined for at least two more. Jussi, Jamie Victory, Jun-ichi Inamoto, David Ginola, Justin Walker, Grant Brebner and Michael Ricketts return, with Jermaine Johnson making the bench.
Argh, so near yet not quite enough. The team is solid, with both strikers linking up nice, but Rooney is brought off due to a potential injury and Spurs have twice the shots we do — 12 to 6. A single Steffan Iversen goal sees them through. I am however impressed by the defence and Grant Brebner. Spurs also had Patrik Berger which I feel is cheating, as anyone who saw his performances in Bluebirds to Glory will know.
Nikos Andrielos, having had a stellar season so far, is named Premier League Young Player of the Month. He remains in the side as we welcome Chelsea and the return of our first team side. Aside from Niko and Clint Hill, the only players to keep their place from the last game is Jamie Victory and Wayne Rooney. Mike Duff returns from suspension.
This is not a game for keepers, it’s fair to say. There are five shots on target in the first half and four of them are goals. Quinton Fortune opens for the visitors before Tonton levels inside ten minutes. Nkubi then gives us the lead but we’re pegged back by a free-kick from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank to make it 2–2 after 32 minutes. That’s it for the scoresheets for the rest of the game, though unfortunately Clint Hill is the latest to go off injured. A bit of a shocker for Evans against his old team, but it happens to the best. He’ll learn.
Clint’s out for ten days but fortunately it’s the international break, so he’ll be fit for the next game. The players go off on the international break, Isaac Nkubi scores again for Sweden U21s, and I apply for the England job, and Norway as well, because I felt like it.
In our next league game, we’re playing Crystal Palace, my unexpected rivals from Bluebirds to Glory. Bak is suspended for this game so Inamoto replaces him, and Giannis Kalogeras is brought in for Jamie Victory. We could do with a win.
Fired up after his Swedish exploits, Nkubi makes the difference here, scoring the only goal of the game in the 70th minute off the rebound of his own shot, as we edge out Palace. Not vintage, but it’ll do. Cracking performances from Rhys and Niko, as per.
Now 12th in the league, we’re swiftly on to 10th placed Aston Villa. I make a bold call, putting Eldar in for Youri, and dropping Hill for Bak as Inamoto retains the place at DMC.
For once, it’s not the best day at the office for Evans and he concedes to our only shot on target, from Matthew Hamshaw in the 40th minute. Tonton quickly responds, but is forced off injured, and the game ends 1–1.
Tonton’s out for 10 days, ruling him out of our next game at home to Middlesbrough. He’s replaced by Djorkaeff, with the only other change being Inamoto swapped out for Hill, with Bak taking up the DMC spot. Weston is back from injury and is on the bench for this game.
Wanderers, we have a new star this season. He’s got a surname as long as my arm and the match engine doesn’t even try to keep up with it — Eldar Hadzimehmedovic! After we concede almost immediately to a Richie Wellens goal, he single handedly drags us to victory with two goals in the last 20 minutes, including a last-minute winner to send the home fans into raptures. We’re up to new heights — ninth in the league!
Speaking of Super Swedes, I’m keeping an eye on the league season as it’s just finished for the year. Kim Kallstrom, who finished runner up in the league with Djurgarden and also the Swedish Midfielder of the Year award, wants to move to a bigger club, and I think if we can get to Europe next season it might sway him. Closer to home, Alan Shearer’s contract is expiring in six months. I immediately offer him a one-year contract, though I suspect he’ll say no.
His great rival Sunderland are our next opponent. I shuffle the midfield, promoting Brebner and Walker in place of Youri and Ronaldo. Another win would keep momentum going very nicely.
Sunderland’s attack is ineffective on the day as they don’t trouble Evans in goal. We only have two shots on target but make the most of it, and once again Eldar in involved, as he sets up Justin Walker to volley home in the 38th minute — his first goal of the season, and another three points for the team. It’s all looking good at Bolton.
Ronaldo picks up a training injury that rules him out of our next two games, but fortunately Tonton’s back from injury so we’ve still got options in the midfield. Meanwhile, Alan Shearer continues to frustrate me with his loyalty to the club where he grew up and played much of his career at. Why can’t you be a ruthless mercenary like Wayne Rooney, Alan?!
Up next are West Ham, and it also means the return of Batigol (who’d actually been fit to play for a few games now, but I missed it) alongside Nkubi, as Wazza takes a seat on the bench for now. Ginola also returns in place of Brebner to keep the midfield fresh. Bak is suspended for this game having picked up five yellows cards so Inamoto takes his place.
It’s a dominant display from the Wanderers, with 16 shots, 12 on target, while the Hammers only hit the target once, which Evans saves, and have Joe Cole sent off for a professional foul. A brilliant performance from David James means we only score the one goal. Of course, it’s Eldar again. That man can do no wrong.
It’s the FA Cup draw, and we get a very nice tie as we’ll play either Shrewsbury or Macclesfield, both in Division Three. It’ll be a great chance for the second team to show what they can do. The league is certainly going extremely well — we’re eighth and haven’t lost in our last 11 league games, since the 1–0 defeat to Leeds in September.
We’re hosting West Bromwich Albion next. Tonton won’t play as he concussed himself in training, but Jermaine Johnson starts in place of Ginola. Bak replaces Inamoto at DMC in the second of our two changes.
As expected when facing the Albion, it’s a harsh, ill-tempered game. 11 players are booking — seven of ours and four of West Brom’s. Their manager wisely decided to sub off Derek McIness after 32 minutes to avoid any further incident. Batistituta and Nkubi break through the defence but are denied in a series of increasingly illegal tackles and Paul Robinson saves
With 20 minutes to go, the game’s still goalless. Johnson, looking to impress, runs through the midfield, swings in a cross, and Gabriel Batistuta, in one of the most beautiful sights on the game, crashes home a volley for his first competitive goal in Bolton colours. The home fans go wild.
I withdraw both Batigol and Nkubi, bringing on Rooney and Djorkaeff, with Eldar going up front. To my delight, both subs combine — Youri crosses into the box, Wazza takes the ball down, turns, and hammers a strike past Robinson. It’s another win, 12 unbeaten league games on the trot, and we’re up to fifth, into European contention!
From an unfancied position, we’re on the charge. The rebuild has brought about a new turn of form to this side, and we’re closer to qualifying for the Champions League — the first step on the road to glory. Let’s hope we keep the form going. The big boys are starting to worry now.
