By Mark Heys, Bolton Wanderers fan, 30th November 2002
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THE SEASON SO FAR

Much optimism was made when Wanderers signed the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha, Bernard Mendy and Youri Djorkaeff but many of last seasons problems reared their ugly head again.

The season began with wake up calls against the likes of Fulham and Charlton in which Wanderers were defeated against two teams they felt they should of been grinding results out against. The problem seemed to lie in front of goal with Michael Ricketts, much a star performer of last season failing to find his shooting boots in this season. Back to Back wins against Aston Villa and most sweetly against arch rivals Manchester United started September off in a positive fashion but the next two games against Liverpool and Arsenal saw defeats after last minute errors cost Wanderers the chance of gaining a creditable point against the leagues best.

After the Arsenal game the defensive errors were still evident in the home game against Southampton when a goal ten minutes from time looked to have give the South coast outfit all three points until a last gasp goal by the Wanderers sealed a point.

Added to the Wanderers woes was a Worthington Cup defeat by Third Division rivals Bury in a much changed Wanderers line up.

Away defeats at Middlesbrough and Tottenham put the Wanderers in deeper trouble and not only were the club leaking goals but they weren't scoring them either. Michael Ricketts only scored from the penalty spot and Dean Holdsworth, Henrik Pedersen and Jonathan Walters were still to get off the mark.

However, Wanderers still had to wait to see proper glimpses of new strikers Chris Armstrong and Delroy Facey who had been on the treatment table. 2 points out of a possible 9 from the basement battles with Sunderland, Birmingham and West Brom sent the alarm bells ringing and it was quite a surprise when Wanderers went to Elland Road and convincingly defeated Leeds United 4-2, Henrik Pedersen scoring twice.

It was Pedersen again who delivered the goal against Chelsea in a 1-1 draw as a new look Wanderers with a much more positive outlook look to have turned the corner in the Winter months.

New signing Ivan Campo seems to be settling down now and with the likes of Malcolm Christie and Julius Agahahwa being linked to the club surely this must be a sign that Wanderers are back on top!

Cheers

Mark Heys

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