Less Than A Week To Go Till The Big Kick Off

Last updated : 09 August 2004 By Mark Heys
Saturday will see the return of Premiership football more or less three months to the day since the last whistle was blown on the 2003-2004 campaign. Bolton begin the next term on home territory as they face a difficult opener against surprise package Charlton Athletic.

Wanderers started the pre-season warm up games very well but towards the end of the summer results proved to be a very mixed bag with the last game of the close season ending all square last Saturday as the Spanish Cup winners Real Zaragoza gave a good account of themselves in a 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium.

So far Trotters manager Sam Allardyce has added seven new faces to the first team squad with experience and defensive players being high on the gaffers recruitment list. Thirtysomethings Fernando Hierro, Les Ferdinand and Gary Speed each have nearly 20 years experience behind them whilst Tal-Ben Haim, Michael Bridges, Julio Cesar and Radhi Jaidi all hope to maximise their potential as they approach the peak of their footballing lives.

Outgoing is fans favourite Per Frandsen who has already made an immediate impression at his new club Wigan Athletic during their Coca Cola Championship opener against Nottingham Forest. Following Frandsen to the JJB is team mate Emerson Thome who was unhappy with the terms offered to him following last seasons success. First team regulars Simon Charlton and Youri Djorkaeff both surpringly quit the club for pastures new with dependable full back Charlton opting to sign for Premiership new boys Norwich City whilst another favourite Djorkaeff is said to be mulling over a move to Qatar. Experienced squad players such as Steve Howey and Ibrahim Ba are also heading out of the Reebok exit door.

Youth may once again be given a chance in South Lancashire this season as Sam Allardyce has little money to work with. Ricky Shakes, Ricardo Vaz-Te, Charlie Comyn-Platt and Jason Talbot all had first team experience last term and they will be hoping they can emulate Nicky Hunt in making themselves a regular fixture in the starting eleven.

So back to the action what can we expect from the Addicks camp - well surprisingly the London club have sold off a very familar face to Bolton supporters in Claus Jensen who joined Fulham last month for a cut price £1.2 million. They are very similar to Bolton as far as the fan base and expectation levels go although they do have a little bit more experience than Wanderers in Premiership football give or take a season. The signings of Dennis Rommedahl and Bryan Hughes will no doubt bolster the midfield gaps left by Jensen and the influential Scott Parker whilst in defence the addition of Talal El-Karkouri will compensate for the loss of Gary Rowett and Richard Rufus who have had to retire through injury. Charlton boss Alan Curbishley is one of the best managers in the country as far as i'm concerned, very good at what he does and very fair in the process, many would say there aren't many superstars and like Bolton the team is run purely on work ethic and team effort rather than individual flair.

Last season it ended goalless at the Reebok between the two sides and although not a sparkling result this was quite a releif for Wanderers who had seen themselves on the wrong end of two 4-0 thumpings against Manchester United and Portsmouth. In the New Year at the Valley in the return fixture Bolton took the points thanks to a quick reaction strike on the turn by Kevin Nolan but in all fairness the Addicks wasted late chances to claim a share of the spoils.

Wanderers will miss Youri Djorkaeff - that is fact. He has been a constant thorn in the Addicks side since his arrival in England managing four strikes against Charlton including a superb overhead kick in January 2003 which earned the club a late equaliser in South East London. Kevin Davies amongst others will be expected to continue the efforts of last season as will rising star Nicky Hunt but the form of captain Jay-Jay Okocha will always be crucial to Bolton's progress.

So from the last whistle to the first....lets get it started.