Ben-Haim Just Wants To Play

Last updated : 18 January 2005 By Mark Heys
Israeli defender Tal Ben-Haim has stated that he is willing to play out of position just to get more opportunities in the Bolton Wanderers starting eleven.

Ben-Haim performed admirably in the centre back role against Arsenal at the weekend and managed to keep the Gunners strike force of Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie at bay.

Whilst happy to have been handed a rare start, the young defender says that he yearns for more opportunities to impress - even if it means playing out of his natural position.

"I prefer to play centre-back but if the manager wants me to play right-back or striker or any position I wouldn't have a problem with it. I just want to play.

Tal Ben-Haim - hoping for more opportunities at Bolton Wanderers
Former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Ben-Haim revealed that it hasn't been an ideal situation sitting amongst the substitutes for the majority of this campaign but appreciates any decisions that his manager Sam Allardyce has had to make.

"I am not used to sitting on the bench so is not easy for me but the manager knows what he is doing so I accept what he says. If he wants me to sit on the bench, that's what I'll do.

The 22-year old is confident about his long term future with the Wanderers but is looking no further than the next game with Blackburn Rovers on Monday where he hopes to have kept his place in the team regardless of whether Radhi Jaidi has returned from injury.

"I am confident about my future in the Premiership. Bolton is a warm, family club with all the players together. But whether or not I keep my place when Radhi is fit again is up to the manager. He picks the team."