Johan Elmander blames Gary Megson for disappointing start
Bolton Wanderers striker Johan Elmander has spoken out against former boss Gary Megson, with whom he endured a torrid spell of form whilst under his tutelage. Elmander claimed the former
Trotters manager’s heavy-handed approach dented his confidence whilst in charge. “It doesn’t help to stare and scream at me. I got tired the more of it I heard,” the Swede explained.
Elmander has come under-fire from large sections of the Bolton crowd throughout his time at the club, but he looks a different player under new boss Owen Coyle. The former Toulouse man
was quick to pay tribute to his current manager: “Coyle is a great coach, who I really enjoy working with. It’s fantastic and great that I can play my game. As soon as he came to the club I started to play well, even though the goals didn’t come right away."
The Swedish front-man has been a star performer this season and his partnership with fellow forward Kevin Davies has grown into one of the most feared in the Premier League. The pair seem
to have a built up an excellent understanding, with Elmander benefiting from Davies’ physical approach.
Having signed from Toulouse in 2008 for a reported £10m, he looked destined to be a big-money flop this time last year after a wretched year at the Reebok Stadium. But the change of manager
has reinvigorated his form and he’ll just be hoping he can keep it up for as long as possible. It’s difficult to say exactly why the change of manger has had such a drastic change of fortunes for the player – be it because Coyle has a more measured, passing
footballing philosophy which has allowed Elmander to display all his attributes, or perhaps just a case of the manager putting his arm around a player who is low on confidence. Either way, Bolton fans will no doubt be hoping his current form continues for
as long as possible.
Tags: