Bolton Wanderers F.C. season 2007-08

Infobox Football club season
club = Bolton Wanderers

season = 2007–08
manager = flagicon|ENG Sammy Lee "(until 17 October 2007"
flagicon|ENG Gary Megson "(from 25 October 2007"
chairman = flagicon|IRE Phil Gartside
league = Premier League
league result = 16th
cup1 = FA Cup
cup1 result = 3rd Round
cup2 = Carling Cup
cup2 result = 4th Round
cup3 = UEFA Cup
cup3 result = Round of 16
league topscorer =
Nicolas Anelka (10)
season topscorer =
Nicolas Anelka (11)
highest attendance = 26,163 v Atletico Madrid (14 February 2008)
lowest attendance = 10,229 v Aris F.C. (29 November 2007)

The 2007–08 season was the 130th season in Bolton Wanderers F.C.'s existence, and was their 7th consecutive year in the top-flight, and covers the period from 2007-07-01 to 2008-06-30. Having finished seventh the previous season, Bolton had qualified for the UEFA Cup.

Regular season

After finishing runners-up in the "Peace Cup" Bolton entered the new season under the management of Sammy Lee. Lee, who had previously worked under former manager Sam Allardyce, had taken over from Allardyce towards the end of the previous season, but had yet to record a league win.

August

The league season kicked off at home, against Newcastle United, now managed by Allardyce. Three first half goals for the visitors ensured an early defeat. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6931059.stm|title=Bolton 1-3 Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] This was followed by an away defeat to Fulham [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6941803.stm|title=Fulham 2-1 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] and by the time Bolton lost 3–0 to Portsmouth [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6941862.stm|title=Portsmouth 3-1 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] , the club found itself at the bottom of the league. However, a 3 –0 defeat of Reading lifted them off the basement. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6952878.stm|title=Bolton 3-0 Reading |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . Another bright note was that striker Nicolas Anelka had found the net in three of the four games in August and found himself towards the top of the Premier League scoring charts.

September

Back to back defeats to Everton [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6963699.stm|title=Bolton 1-2 Reading |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] and Birmingham City [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6984867.stm|title=Birmingham 1-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] saw Bolton quickly return to the bottom three and Lee come under pressure for his job. An unconvincing away draw in the UEFA Cup to Macedonian side FK Rabotnički, only saved by a late equaliser from Abdoulaye Meite [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6996461.stm|title=Rabotnicki Kometal 1-1 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] , was followed by a 1–1 home draw against fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6996758.stm|title=Bolton 1-1 Totenham|publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . Much needed relief was found in an extra time defeat of Fulham in the Carling Cup [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7008018.stm|title=Fulham 1-2 Bolton (aet)|publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] but an early season "six pointer" against bottom side Derby County only yielded a draw [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7008198.stm|title=Derby 1-1 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13] and meant that Bolton finished September only one place above their opponents.

October

The UEFA Cup home leg against FK Rabotnički was won 1–0, with another goal from Anelka. However, if Bolton were looking for an easy passage through the group stage they were disappointed as the draw put them up against former European Cup winners Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade as well as highly regarded Portuguese side S.C. Braga and Aris F.C. from Greece. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7034147.stm|title=Bolton to meet Bayern in Uefa Cup |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . Meanwhile there appeared to be behind the scenes problems at the club, marked by the confusion when Gary Speed stepped down as player-coach. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7039158.stm|title=Speed steps down as Bolton coach |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . However, there was little confusion to what happened following Bolton's 2–0 home defeat to Chelsea on 15 October. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7019625.stm|title=Bolton 0-1 Chelsea |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] with Lee being relieved of his duties on the Monday. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7048701.stm|title=Bolton part company with boss Lee|publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . Assistant manager Archie Knox was put in temporary charge until a new manager was found with Steve Bruce, Paul Jewell and Chris Coleman being linked to the job. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7050538.stm|title=Foxes reject Bolton's Megson move |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] In the meantime Bolton lost again, this time to Arsenal 2–0 [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7042999.stm|title=Arsenal 2-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] on 25 October Gary Megson was appointed as manager following his resignation from Leicester City. While chairman Phil Gartside said "We feel Gary is the right man to take Bolton forward" [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7061876.stm|title=Megson appointed Bolton manager |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] , some fans were decidedly unimpressed, stating that it was "possibly the most bizarre and clueless appointment this season". [cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/F8524477?thread=4712529&show=50|title=Now that I have calmed down...|publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] Megson sat in the dugout for the home UEFA Cup game that evening against Braga that finished 1–1 [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7054197.stm|title=Bolton 1-1 Braga |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] before taking charge fully in the home game against Aston Villa, that also finished 1–1. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7054069.stm|title=Bolton 1-1 Aston Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] The month finished with Bolton being knocked out of the Carling Cup by neighbours Manchester City 1–0, the game being settled late on by a controversial penalty. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7065177.stm|title=Bolton 0-1 Manchester City |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ]

November

A late Kevin Nolan goal saved the away game at West Ham in the first game in November [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7065170.stm|title=West Ham 1-1 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . Bolton then travelled to Germany to take on Bayern Munich, little fancied to come away with a result. However an early goal from Ricardo Gardner and a late equaliser from Kevin Davies gave Bolton a valuable point in their attempt to qualify from the group stage. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7076603.stm|title=Bayern Munich 2-2 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . Seemingly buoyed by this result Bolton finished the month unbeaten, drawing 0–0 with Middlesbrough [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7076649.stm|title=Bolton 0-0 Middlesbrough |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] , beating Manchester United 1–0, giving Megson his first win as manager and Bolton's first home win against their neighbours for thirty years [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7099689.stm|title=Bolton 1-0 Man Utd |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] , and drawing with Aris F.C. in the UEFA Cup, Stelios Giannakopoulos scoring an injury time equaliser against his countrymen. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7116146.stm|title=Bolton 1-1 Aris Salonika |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ]

December

Bolton's busiest month of the campaign started with a 4–0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7110966.stm|title=Liverpool 4-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] but this was quickly followed by another famous European night as Red Star Belgrade were beaten 1–0 as Bolton qualified for the last thirty-two of the UEFA Cup, [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7128973.stm|title=Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] the occasion slightly marred when some fans were held in a hotel in the Serbian capital. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7131542.stm|title=Bolton fans held in Serbian hotel |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] This was followed by a 4–1 derby defeat of Wigan Athletic [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7122804.stm|title=Bolton 4-1 Wigan |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] , in what turned out to be Gary Speed's last game for the club, and another derby defeat to Manchester City, 4–2. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7134139.stm|title=Man City 4-2 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] When the draw for the last thirty-two of the UEFA Cup was made, Bolton were given another tough draw, paired with Atlético Madrid of Spain. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7154150.stm|title=Bolton & Dons net tough Uefa ties |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] The day after the draw was made, fellow strugglers Birmingham City were despatched 3–0 [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7145742.stm|title=Bolton 3-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] but this was followed by two defeats over the Christmas period to Everton [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7157329.stm|title=Everton 2-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] and Sunderland [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7157418.stm|title=Sunderland 3-1 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] .

January

The New Year started with an unconvincing last minute defeat of Derby County, Stelios Giannakopoulos again coming up with an injury time winner. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7163896.stm|title=Bolton 1-0 Derby |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . The game proved to be Nicolas Anelka's last game for the club before he was sold to Chelsea for £15million. [cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1212598,00.html|title=Anelka signs for Blues|publisher=Premier League |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . Other players to leave in the transfer window were Gary Speed [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/7158844.stm|title=Blades complete Speed loan deal|publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] , Christian Wilhelmsson [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7219646.stm|title=Winger Wilhelmsson leaves Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] , Gerald Cid [cite web|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/1962043.cid_leaves_reebok|title=Cid leaves Reebok|publisher=Bolton Evening News|accessdate=2008-08-13] and Lubomir Michalik [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/7220461.stm|title=Elding heads Leeds deadline buys |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=2008-08-13 ] . Megson used this opportunity to strengthen the defence with the purchases of Grétar Steinsson from AZ Alkmaar [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7189240.stm|title=Defender Steinsson joins Bolton|accessdate=2008-08-13|date=2008-01-16|year= 2008|month=01 |publisher="BBC Sport"] and Gary Cahill from Aston Villa [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7213650.stm|title=Bolton complete £5m Cahill switch|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . Matt Taylor, who had scored against Bolton earlier in the season for his previous club Portsmouth was also brought in [cite news |title=SKY SPORTS: Taylor makes Bolton move |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3055235,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |date=2008-01-17 |accessdate=2008-08-13] as was Tamir Cohen from Maccabi Netanya [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7159212.stm|title=Bolton to sign midfielder Cohen |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . Surprisingly, the only like for like replacement for Anelka brought in was Grzegorz Rasiak on loan from Championship side Southampton [cite web |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=9671|title=Rasiak goes on loan|accessdate=2008-08-13 |date=31 January 2008 |work=www.saintsfc.co.uk] . An early FA Cup defeat to Sheffield United could be put down to Megson putting out a largely reserve side [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7163940.stm|title=Bolton 0-1 Sheff Utd.|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . This was followed by another derby defeat to Blackburn Rovers [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7172842.stm|title=Bolton 1-2 Sheff Utd.|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] before two successive 0–0 draws, away to Newcastle United, by now managed by Kevin Keegan [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7184822.stm|title=Newcastle 0-0 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] and then home to Fulham [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7210575.stm|title=Bolton 0-0 Fulham|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] .

February

A 2–0 victory over Reading gave Bolton a much needed three points over relegation rivals and gave them their first double over a team for the season [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7210608.stm|title=Reading 0-2 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] but this proved to be Bolton's last win in the league until mid-April as they embarked on a run that put them back into the bottom three. A game that they dominated against Portsmouth ended up as a 1–0 defeat [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7223964.stm|title=Bolton 0-1 Portsmouth|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . The next two games were the UEFA Cup round of 32 home and away legs against Atlético Madrid. A 1–0 victory at home, courtesy of an El-Hadji Diouf goal [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7236400.stm|title=Bolton 1-0 Athletico Madrid|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] was followed by a 0–0 draw away [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7254655.stm|title=Athletico Madrid 0-0 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] , meaning that Bolton would go further in Europe this season than in their previous UEFA Cup attempt two seasons previously. However, there was trouble again for some Bolton fans, with seventeen being injured in what was seen as "heavy handed tactics" by Spanish police [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7258162.stm|title=Bolton complain over Spain police|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . Both Bolton and Athletico Madrid were subject to a UEFA investigation [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7258162.stm|title=Bolton & Atletico face Uefa probe |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . Bolton were drawn against Sporting Lisbon in the last sixteen of the competition [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7258038.stm|title=Bolton win earns Sporting contest |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . On their return home Bolton were beaten again by Blackburn Rovers, 4–1 [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7248379.stm|title=Blackburn 4-1 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] .

March

Bolton's season reached it's nadir in the month of March, with only one point being gained in the league. A 3–1 defeat to Liverpool was epitomised by a bizarre own goal scored by Jussi Jääskeläinen [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7260401.stm|title=Bolton 1-3 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . Bolton then met Sporting Lisbon home and away in the UEFA Cup. A 1–1 draw at home [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7272668.stm|title=Bolton 1-1 Sporting |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] was followed by a 1–0 defeat away [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7285151.stm|title=Sporting 1-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . Megson suffered criticism as again he had put a weakened side out in a cup competion but he vindicated his choice by stating that Premiership survival was more important. Fans who had travelled to Lisbon for the game were not happy with this excuse and they were made to feel worse when a virtually wholly changed side lost to Wigan Athletic in the following league game, despite being up against ten men for the majority of the game [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7284982.stm|title=Wigan 1-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . In the following game, Cristiano Ronaldo put two early goals into Bolton's net to continue Manchester United's push for the title [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7298123.stm|title=Man Utd 2-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] and despite picking up a point a week later at home to United's city rivals with a goalless draw [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7298194.stm|title= Bolton 0-0 Man City |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] , a week later Bolton managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by throwing away a two goal lead against ten man Arsenal to lose 2–3 [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7309362.stm|title= Bolton 2-3 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] .

April

Bolton entered April knowing that they would probably have to go undefeated through to the end of the season to avoid relegation but got off to the worst possible start with a 4–0 defeat to Aston Villa [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7320179.stm|title= Aston Villa 4-0 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . However, two successive victories, at home to West Ham [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7332037.stm|title= Bolton 1-0 West Ham |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] and away to Middlesbrough [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7344102.stm|title= Middlesbrough 0-1 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] took them out of the bottom three and left them in control of their own destiny which was still the case even after being outplayed but still drawing at Spurs [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7356060.stm|title= Tottenham 1-1 Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] .

May

Bolton's penultimate game of the season, at home to Sunderland kicked off at 5:15pm with Bolton having the knowledge that, as Birmingham City and Reading had lost earlier that day a win would virtually secure their Premiership status. And win they did [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7368642.stm|title= Bolton 2-0 Sunderland |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] , with goalscorer El-Hadji Diouf doing a personal lap of honour at the end of the game after stating that he would be leaving the club, even though he wasn't out of contract. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7382486.stm|title=Diouf wants another English move|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13] . The final game, away to title chasing Chelsea finished 1–1 with Matt Taylor scoring Bolton's final goal of the season and making sure that they did not avoid relegation on goal difference alone. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7381780.stm|title=Chelsea 1-1 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-13]

Top scorers

quad

football squad player| no= 4| nat=England | pos=MF| name=Kevin Nolan (captain)football squad player| no= 6| nat=Wales | pos=MF| name=Gary Speed "(to January)"football squad player| no=10| nat=Sweden | pos=MF| name=Christian Wilhelmsson "(to January)"football squad player| no=15| nat=France | pos=DF| name=Gerald Cid "(to January)"football squad player| no=15| nat=Iceland | pos=DF| name=Grétar Steinsson "(from January)"football squad player| no=17| nat=England | pos=MF| name=Danny Guthrie "(on loan from Liverpool)"football squad player| no=18| nat=Spain | pos=MF| name=Mikel Alonso "(on loan from Real Sociedad)"football squad player| no=23| nat=Israel | pos=MF| name=Idan Tal"(to July)"football squad player| no=25| nat=Senegal | pos=DF| name=Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye"(to August)"football squad player| no=25| nat=Israel | pos=MF| name=Tamir Cohen "(from January)"football squad player| no=28| nat=Slovakia | pos=DF| name=Ľubomír Michalík "(to January)"football squad player| no=32| nat=England | pos=MF| name=Matt Taylor "(from January)"football squad player| no=33| nat=England | pos=DF| name=Gary Cahill "(from January)"football squad player| no=39| nat=France | pos=FW| name=Nicolas Anelka "(to January)"football squad player| no=47| nat=Poland | pos=FW| name=Grzegorz Rasiak "(on loan from Southampton)" "(from January)"

Appearances

Bolton used a total of 34 players during the season.

Notes and references