Ignore Bolton Wanderers’ lowly league position. With young players in the team, a revamped medical department and recruitment never before seen at the club, they are in much better shape than a year ago.
The Trotters sat 16th in the Championship table at the time before Dougie Freedman, who replaced the sacked Owen Coyle on October 25, 2012 guided them to seventh, narrowly missing out on the play-offs last season.
While they now lie 21st, Freedman believes Bolton have gone from strength to strength during his tenure.
“I’m proud to say behind the scenes it’s a completely different club,” he told a news conference on Thursday.
“The recruitment is in place which was never here. Our medical department has completely changed.
“We’re trying to get young players through the team and we have got young players in the team. I’m very determined to put the results right.”
The manager also spoke of how much he has enjoyed his year, despite how difficult the job has been at times.
“I’m really happy it’s been a year and it’s been a difficult year with lots of ups and downs,” he said.
“You never know what you are going to come into. There were certain things I was uncomfortable with.
“I was disappointed with the older brigade of players not really getting behind the club, maybe thinking they were better. I don’t think that’s right.”
Bolton have struggled to get going this season under Freedman, failing to build on their fantastic second half to the last campaign.
Despite their lack of form, Freedman is looking forward to the future with optimism, believing that the club are in a good position to kick on.
“Bolton’s history is that we are a fantastic football club,” Freedman said.
“History is history. You need to move forward. I just feel the foundations are set. They are in place.
“I’ve tried to stand strong and tell the fans our vision. I think the fans are starting to come round to what I am thinking.”
Image courtesy of Texaco via YouTube, with thanks.
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