Is your favourite player going to be here next season? Or do you need to buy a shirt with a different name on the back? Here’s part two of the Vital Bolton guide to player retention.
El-Hadji Diouf – Displaying his customary lack of common sense, old Gobby Chops has already said he`s leaving. An exceptional first touch, great passing and the ability to go past defenders mark him out as Bolton`s best player. When he`s in the mood that is. Sven Gonad Eriksson is said to want him at Citeh and there has previously been interest from West Ham and Atletico Madrid. He won`t be short of suitors, especially if he agrees to have his saliva glands removed. Verdict : Go
Jussi Jaaskelainen – A fine servant to the club, who has always been in the shop window due to his insistence on signing two year contracts. May be past his best and Bolton have at least one able goalkeeper to take his place. Will be looking for a last big pay day. See you in Newcastle Jussi. Verdict : Go
Kevin Davies – Davo`s a legend and quite rightly. A player who has far more to offer than his reputation suggests. His age and lack of scoring prowess will make him less of a target than he might have been. Verdict : Stay
Blerim Dzemaili – Told to get his finger out by Megson. Finger still firmly in. Verdict : Go
Joey O’Brien – Recovered from a season long knee injury and is now looking to secure his favoured spot in midfield. Won`t be served by moving clubs. Verdict : Stay
Tamir Cohen – Tends to run at anything that moves and some things that don`t. A danger to himself and everyone else on the pitch. Megson rates him. Has rich comic potential. Verdict : Stay
Ali Al Habsi – Al Habsi`s behaviour has been exemplary. If only his agent, Panorama star Peter Harrison, could say the same thing. The Omani stopper has taken the chance created by the injury to Jussi Jaasklenainen well, and may need a generous contract offer to make him stay. Verdict : Flight risk
Daniel Braaten – Fat, lazy, slow off the mark. Has a disturbing resemblance to Denzil off Fools and Horses. Verdict : Go
Andy O’Brien – His arrival was greeted with as much enthusiasm as that of Gary Megson. Has proved the doubters wrong and could be a target for a promoted club if Bolton don`t secure their Premier League status. Verdict : Flight risk
Matt Taylor – Big on effort, not so big on talent. Taylor has previously played at Championship level and doesn`t seem the type to jump ship. Verdict : Stay
Gary Cahill – Not the finished product, but has the potential to be a very fine player. Left Aston Villa in search of first team football and would prefer that to be at top level. Maybe a charismatic manager could persuade him to stay for a season if the worst happens. Shame there`s only Gary Megson. Verdict : Flight risk
Stelios – The Greek garden gnome has been good value since his arrival from Olympiacos. He`s a hard working midfielder and an effective goal poacher, but since injury at the start of last season has struggled to hold down a first team place. Jan Ka Poolis, as the muppet commentator on Wanderers World refers to him, is out of contract and will probably return to Greece. After all, he has an airline to run. Verdict : Go
Gary Megson – As popular as a strip-a-gram at a funeral. Megson`s appointment was greeted with zero acclaim, and from there things have gone down hill. A poll on this site shows just 3% of fans in favour of him staying, irrespective of which division Bolton are in next year. Wicked Uncle Garty is one of them. Verdict : Stay – unless someone assassinates him.
Part one of the guide is Here.
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