Source: PA
Petrov aims to make his mark at Reebok
Martin Petrov is glad to be wearing a smile again after leaving Manchester City for Bolton and is confident he can play a key role in Wanderers' continuing transformation under Owen Coyle.
Petrov was released by City this summer, bringing to an end a three-year spell at Eastlands which had started promisingly but grew increasingly frustrating for the Bulgaria international.
Signed for the club by Sven-Goran Eriksson in July 2007, Petrov soon impressed as an incisive winger with an eye for goal, but knee problems and a constant stream of expensive new signings arriving at City made it more and more difficult for him to hold down a regular place in the team.
Sidelined again for the conclusion of the 2009-10 campaign and with his contract running out, Petrov was starting to feel like a forgotten man. Bolton came calling, though, and now the 31-year-old is determined to repay the faith Wanderers have shown in him by rediscovering his best form.
Petrov said: "I want to show the manager, the chairman and the fans that they did not make the wrong decision and that they have a good player. It was most important they told me they wanted to play good football with passing and wingers and crosses to score more goals - that we would not defend too much but go in every game for the win.
"That is important for me as a winger because if your team doesn't play good football, then you don't touch the ball! But I think in this team we have good players who can pass the ball around and make good games. It is very important for every footballer that they are happy. If you have problems that will show on the pitch but now I have a smile."
