Boss Hopeful Of At Least One Addition

By Mark Heys
July 20 2005

Sam Allardyce linked up with the rest of the Bolton Wanderers officials in Thailand yesterday, but promised that the search for new signings is still very much ongoing.

Allardyce has started discussions with a couple of players over the last few days and is hopeful of finalising at least one of the deals before the week is out. One such player held talks with the club yesterday and the Bolton boss admitted they are now waiting on an acceptance or rejection from the person concerned.

Former chief executive Des McBain and chief scout Jack Chapman are both remaining in the United Kingdom to oversee the transfer discussions and will keep both the chairman and the manager updated at regular intervals.

"I was hoping to do a deal yesterday with a player and that was the main reason why I delayed my journey," .

"We are still awaiting the outcome of that and wait to see what happens.

"I have started early negotiations for a couple of players. I remain hopeful of bringing at least one new signing in before the week is out. If there is a need to fly back to the UK then I'll have to do that, but otherwise I have left negotiations in the capable hands of my chief scout and Des McBain, who has come out retirement to help with the paperwork should we be successful. The chairman and I will be getting daily calls from them on the progress of all the deals we are putting in place.

Allardyce has always wanted his potential new signings to be fully fit and ready for the demands of the Premiership. He has learned that unfit players have a risk attachment and could hold the club back in terms of the start which they make to the league programme.


"The players we have earmarked now have to be fit and ready for the stresses and strains of the Premiership. It's a near impossible task to bring in the calibre of player we now require."

At least a dozen players have rejected the chance to move to the Reebok Stadium despite the fact that Allardyce has had more money to spend than in previous seasons.