Elmander is coming good - Coyle

15 August 2010 13:25
Owen Coyle paid tribute to an "outstanding" performance by Johan Elmander against Fulham and feels the striker is now ready to come good.[LNB] Elmander carved out several opportunities for himself in an eye-catching display at the Reebok Stadium and was only denied a goal by the efforts of Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale, who was in the side in place of Arsenal target Mark Schwarzer.[LNB]The Sweden international has had a tough time justifying the fee - believed to be around £10million - which Wanderers paid to sign him in the summer of 2008, scoring only eight times in the Premier League since then.[LNB]But Elmander capped a decent pre-season with a goal in Bolton's final friendly against Osasuna just over a week ago and Coyle believes the 29-year-old is finally starting to prove his worth.[LNB]"I thought Elmander was outstanding and deserved a goal, but all credit to Stockdale, the biggest compliment I can pay him is that Schwarzer wasn't missed," Coyle said.[LNB]"I have always had belief in him. He came with a big price tag and a big reputation, and the only person who will change anybody's mind about him is Johan.[LNB]"I can certainly try and impart the knowledge and wisdom that I have picked up over the years, and I can try and give him confidence because I have belief in him as a manager, and I've shown that by picking him.[LNB]"But really, he's followed on from his performance against Osasuna. Then he went away on the international break so I was genuinely worried that he wouldn't be fresh.[LNB]"But I gave him the nod again and he was outstanding, not just in terms of his goal efforts, but his work rate in general for the team."[LNB]Bolton had numerous chances to make the breakthrough, but were thwarted throughout by a determined Fulham side, who stood firm to secure a point for Mark Hughes in his first game in charge of the Londoners.[LNB]"I have to give Fulham credit. It was probably a backhanded compliment to ourselves that they were quite happy to sit in and have that solid back line," Coyle said.[LNB]"But that is why they had success last year, because of how hard they worked and they have good players."

Source: Team_Talk