...is a much over-used phrase in football management discussions. I believe though in the context of the Owen Coyle era, that this is for the current period, a fitting way to describe it. Several players are going to be out of the club and Coyle's got a job on his hands filling their places with players on less wages, more flexible contracts and for the fewer pounds that are available from the transfer kitty. And yes, that's even if we sell Cahill for the 17 million BWFC are reportedly asking. I'm of the opinion that it is only now we shall see what Coyle has in the talent bank as regards management chops; as everything he has done so far has been in the bright dawn sunlight after the long dark night of the Ginger Whinger. Only a few of our current players are Coyle's acquisitions, and while no-one can doubt the effectiveness of Wheater or the startlingly bright talent of Holden, it is now Coyle will be building a team in his image. For that reason I think we now can say this is the true test of Coyle and that we are properly in the transitional period. I hope that the early promise of Coyle's period in charge bears the fruits that one would expect of it, his man management skills are obvious in the light of what came before. His tactical nous and transfer dealings will be open to close and critical examination however and I'm intrigued to see how he'll stand up to the scrutiny. And for those on here that will be critical of me and think that as a Bolton fan I owe my unquestioning loyalty to the man, I say this. Balls! If ever we as fans stop being critical of our club's management and directorship we'll end up with some journeyman jumped up coach as a manager...just like we did last time.
17 million quid goes a long way into replacing a few key players though. We need to replace Cahill, we can get someone for ã5mil who will do the job just as effectively and then we can go about buying a striker and a midfielder now Elmander has gone. They don't have to be brilliant though. We also have the massive wage that is Elmander going, we can put several players into that same place and still be able to afford the wages they may require. Let's see though.
