Elmander admits he was at 'rock bottom' during Bolton goal drought

17 November 2009 00:24
Adapting: Bolton striker Johan Elmander[LNB]Bolton striker Johan Elmander admits he began to doubt his own ability after a difficult first season in England.  [LNB] The Sweden international, an £8.5million signing from Toulouse in June 2008, struggled to adapt to the Barclays Premier League and finished the campaign with just five goals.  [LNB] Elmander, 28, ended a run of 22 matches without a goal by scoring in September's Carling Cup tie against West Ham and signed off before the current international break with his first league goal since December 13 in the 5-1 defeat at Aston Villa.   [LNB]The player claims he is more confident now but went through some serious soul-searching during his barren spell.   [LNB]'It went really well in Toulouse and then nothing worked at all. You just don't get it,' recalled Elmander over his lack of form.   [LNB]'You hope it is in there somewhere but the longer you go you start wondering if it is ever going to come back. It was a really tough experience to go through. I hate sitting on the bench. Mentally I really was at rock bottom.'[LNB] Back in form: Elmander scores for Bolton earlier this season[LNB] Elmander believes his form is returning and he will soon be back to his best. [LNB]'The turning point came when I had a decent international against Hungary (in September),' he told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.[LNB] 'I felt I still had it in me. I could run and it didn't hurt and the touch was still there. The last month has felt fantastic. It feels like that Toulouse form is finally here again.'[LNB] Fabrice Muamba hoping to follow James Milner and Tom Huddlestone into senior England squadCompetition: Win VIP tickets for six people to watch Bolton v BlackburnBOLTON WANDERERS FC

Source: Daily_Mail