Newcastle starts the 07/08 season facing off against Bolton Wanderers away at Reebok Stadium, a match that promises to be beyond interesting for both teams as the pre-season finally ends. Both teams have new managers and many new signings. And the fans of both clubs are hopeful when it comes to the new season.

Bolton Wanderers FC was formed in 1874 as Christ Church FC, though they changed their name to the current Bolton Wanderers FC only three years later in 1877. Being one of the founding members of the football league, one would assume that the club would have a history with more silverware in it, but the club has had a misfortunate past of almost always ending their competitions as runner ups. They were though, successful in the FA Cup during the 1920s, winning the competition no less than three times, being the most successful club in the cup in the twenties.

During 1935 to 1965 the club managed to stay uninterrupted in the English top-flight, this period is by many a fan regarded as the clubs ‘golden era’, even though the club still didn’t get too much silverware. Though, it was in this time period the club won it’s last major trophy, winning the FA Cup trophy in 1958 after beating Manchester United at Wembley.

The club then went into a dismal period outside the top-flight with the sporadic appearance in between, even being relegated as far down as into the fourth division for the first time in the clubs history after a miserable 86/87 season. Though, Bolton made their re-debut in the Premiership in the 95/96 season after being out of the top flight for 15 years. They would face trouble already before the season started though, as then manager Bruce Rioch left for Arsenal. Bolton went on to appoint Roy McFarland as their new gaffer. Though his effect on the team did seem to be rather bad, as he got sacked mid-season and replaced by assistant, Colin Todd. Bolton remained at the bottom of the table for virtually all season though, and got relegated.

Back in the Championship for the 96/97 season Bolton were almost unbeatable, finishing first with 98 points and scoring 100 goals. This ment they would return to the Premiership after just one years absence. Their return did not go as well as most had hoped this time around either, and once again they got relegated back to the Championship. And after failing to win the playoff final in the 98/99 season, manager Colin Todd resigned from his position.

All this would soon be forgotten though, as a new golden era was starting for the club with the arrival of manager Sam Allardyce from Notts County after the the 98/99 season. Though, the first season under their new gaffer certainly had a sad touch to it, as the club lost in the semi finals of the championship playoffs, the League Cup and the FA Cup. But, in the upcoming season Allardyce and his men got the promotion they were after after beating Preston in the playoff final.

Allardyce’s stay at the club brought the club from being a club many looked upon as destined for relegation into a side many now thinks of as a top ten Premiership club. And it caught many by surprise when Allardyce, after eight successful years at the club, retired at the end of the 06/07 season, leaving the manager position to his assistant, Sammy Lee after qualifying for Europe for the second time in the clubs history.

The upcoming season definitely looks promising for Bolton if one takes a look at their players. Being one of the most active clubs in the current transfer window, having signed an entire XI of players as this is written. Statistics are also working against Newcastle on this occasion, Newcastle have faced Bolton 47 times on away ground, and went out losers on 23 occasions, as equals on 11 occasions and winners at only 13 occasions. And if Newcastle are to walk out winners this Saturday. They need to be on alert for the new and old players of Bolton, as their players are a threat to any club in the Premiership on a good day.

Star Players/Potential Threats:

Name: Nicolas Anelka
Position: Striker
Age: 28
Nationality: French

Nicolas Anelka signing for Bolton Wanderers on the 25th of August 2006 can be categorized as somewhat of a shock signing. Anelka signed a four-year deal and his arrival secured a new record fee for the club, £8 Million. He made his Bolton debut against Watford on the 9th of September 2006, but seemed to have problems settling in at the club, not managing to score his first goal for the club until the 25th of November 2006 against Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium. This goal also went on to win the Goal of the Month award on Match of the Day. He has to this date 39 apps for Bolton and 12 goals.

Anelka is a potential threat to any Premiership defense and should under no circumstances be underestimated. He has a deathly kick and a quick pace, not to mention his experience from all the other clubs he has been two, which tallies up to a total of eight different clubs in four different leagues, and Anelka is still only 28.

Name: El Hadji Diouf
Position: Attacking Midfielder/Forward
Age: 26
Nationality: Senegalese

Diouf came to Bolton from Liverpool on loan in the 04/05 season to later be bought for an undisclosed fee before the 05/06 season. With his flair and direct running, he has become a fan favourite at the Reebok. The fact that he has been a complete success for Bolton since his arrival has probably also eased the process of becoming a fan favourite quite a bit.

He scored the first Bolton Wanderers goal in an European competition against Lokomotiv Plodiv in an UEFA Cup match at the Reebok Stadium. He has a tremendous breakthrough speed and is a threat to almost any defensive player. Though, regardless of being a fan favourite, Diouf has almost always been a controversial player. And is by many football followers still only known as “The Llama” for the spitting habit he once had.

Name: Kevin Davies
Position: Striker
Age: 30
Nationality: English

Kevin Davies arrived at the Reebok Stadium in 2003 after an unsuccessful loan spell at Millwall and has since become a fan favourite at the Reebok for his countless tireless performances for the club and his almost always positive demeanour. He has at current 14o apps for the club and 32 goals, and can be counted as a massive threat against any opposition if Bolton gets the freedom to play their game.

He is one of five English players to have cost over £7 Million without having had any apps for their national team. It’s commonly believed that Davies is the player in the Premiership that commits the most fouls and is also the most fouled player. Though he himself rarely complains when he is fouled or has committed a foul himself.

Name: Kevin Nolan
Position: Midfielder
Age: 25
Nationality: English

Kevin Nolan, the current captain of Bolton Wanderers have spent his entire professional playing career at the club and is one of their most valued players. He has a total of 243 apps and 35 goals since he signed a professional contract with the club and made his first-team debut as a seventeen year old back in 1999.

As the captain of his team Nolan is definitely someone to be on the look-out for, he appears to be playing with his heart outside his shirt every match he plays, and his will to go on and his power to influence the other players on his team with his will of steel is not something to look at as an easy task to overcome.

Potential New Star Signings:

Name: Christian “The Magician” Wilhelmsson
Position: Left Winger
Age: 27
Nationality: Swedish

Christian “Wilhelmsson is a new arrival at the Reebok this season, being brought in on a season-long loan spell with the option of making the deal permanent after 20 league games from French side FC Nantes. He has long been called one of the up and coming players in the International game, and is a well known name in many European countries.

He is known for his exciting, passionate and explosive performances, and is by many touted as one of the fastest players in the game. Meaning that Bolton might have made another player coup in front of many more financially strong clubs with bigger names, as interest from Manchester City and Tottenham were shown for him before he decided on going to the Reebok Stadium and Bolton.

Name: Daniel Braaten
Position: Attacking Midfielder/Striker
Age: 25
Nationality: Norwegian

Daniel Braaten arrived from Norwegian side Rosenborg BK for £450 000 not too long ago, and it is still uncertain if his name is even in the first-team discussion for the Bolton - Newcastle fixture. But if it is, Newcastle will have to be on the look-out for his nontraditional style of play. He was one of the stars of the Norwegian Premier Division before signing for Bolton, and even though he is well known to be lazy during matches, he’s near a football miracle when he gives it all.

Preferring to play as a striker as opposed to an attacking winger, the position he has been used in by his former club and his national team, the possibility is there that we will get to see him play alongside Anelka on top if new gaffer Sammy Lee chooses so.

Fan Opinion (The-Wanderer.co.uk):

What do you think of the upcoming match?
I think it will be rather dull. -Batman
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The main talking point is obviously going to be Allardyce, and will overshadow the match itself. I think he’ll get a mixed reception, given events which have happened since he left.
We have a good home record against you, and without Owen we should win it fairly easily. My prediction is 2-0, though the match will be overshadowed by Allardyce. -Chris
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I’m surprised that this fixture isn’t being more hyped in the media than it is, as this is a real baptism of fire for the latest Geordie manager. Mind you, if there was any hype I doubt the game would live up to it; both managers are still a little shaky in their new jobs and neither is going to want to start the new season by losing to the other team. I expect Newcastle to hoof the ball, keep a clean sheet, take long throw ins and play for a draw. -CrazyHorse
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I think it’s good for both teams that the game is out of the way early. Two managers new to their teams, trying to impose their ideas. It may not make for a great game and maybe a draw will be a good result for both. -hisroyalgingerness
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A week ago I couldn’t be arsed, but now I can’t wait. The big fat fella with his gut hanging out will be getting some serious stick and so will that newcastle fan with the tattoo across his gut.

I expect newcastle to play long ball with fat boy viduka being FSA’s new Kevin Davies and Smith his Dioufy.

Allardyce will think he’s got the drop on Sammy Lee given his knoweldge of lots of the players, I think he’s in for a shock. -communistworkethic
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Really looking forward to it. The fixtures computer couldn’t have thrown up a better opening day fixture, especially after a footie-free Summer. Bring it on. -Bruce Rioja

What do you think of Bolton’s chances in the 07/08 season?
I think we’ll do as well as we did last year. -Batman
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I don’t expect us to do as well as last year. Lee is in his first management job, and though he has experience as the number two and with England, he’ll take time to settle in. I don’t think we’ll be near the relegation zone, but a top ten finish will be a good finish for this season. A lot of the infrasctructure is already in place from the Allardyce era, and the only key player we have lost is Ben Haim, so Lee has a lot to work with. If our strikers can reach a decent goal tally, admittedly something we’ve had a problem with over recent seasons, we should do well. We collapsed at the end of last season with a disasterous drop in defensive capability - our form in 2007 arguably cost us a Champion’s League place, and we need to make sure we maintain form throughout the season. We also have the African Cup of Nations this year, which I think will have an impact, particuarly in defence. My prediction is a mid-table finish. -Chris
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Survival - 95% chance
Top 10 - 75% chance
Europe - 25% chance
Top 4 - 2% chance -CrazyHorse
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I think our chances are fair. It’s difficult to see where our priorities will be with a European campaign to look forward to. Hopefully with such a large first team squad this time round we can offer more in the cup competitions and finish nicely midtable. -hisroyalgingerness
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Mid table, good runs in a domestic cup and UEFA cup. -communistworkethic
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We’ll finish lower than last season playing some decent stuff. -Bruce Rioja

What do you think of Newcastle’s chances in the 07/08 season?
I think you’ll do no better than us. -Batman
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I think Newcastle will finish in the top half. Don’t expect immediate success, I think that’ll take a couple of seasons to build up. You may pinch a UEFA cup spot, but I expect you’ll be around 8th or 9th. Allardyce needs to control your more controversial players quickly, and gel a team who will work for each other - a reason for this success at Bolton. Give him a chance - I believe if your board hadn’t been quite so eager to keep changing managers, you’d be in a much better position - and the recent stories circulating about the new ownership won’t do any good. Allardyce had a great relationship with our chairman (at least before he left us), and he needs this and the ability to do what he wants without too much influence from above. -Chris
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Survival - 95% chance
Top 10 - 60% chance
Europe - 15% chance, via the Intertoto
Top 4 - Dream on’s chance -CrazyHorse
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For you guys I would expect many of your players to be forced into Allardyce’s way of thinking. We had creative players like Okocha, Diouf, Anelka etc focusing their efforts on winning set pieces. Be interesting if Owen is relegated to the same duties. Maybe don’t expect too much first time round but I don’t think a Cup final is unthinkable for you. -hisroyalgingerness
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Nowhere near the expectations of the most deluded fans in football after West Ham. -communistworkethic
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You’ll finish higher than last season playing some absolute shite. -Bruce Rioja

In conclusion, I end this article with the question some Bolton supporters might be asking themselves right now;

Is Little Sam the man that can?

Thanks to members of www.the-wanderer.co.uk for some help in the creation of this article, special thanks go the member “Batman” for proofreading this article for factual errors.