Samuel chuffed to be back in favour

18 September 2009 13:25
Samuel was an ever-present in the Premier League last season when the club secured their status under manager Gary Megson after a poor start.[LNB]But he found himself on the bench in the opening games against Sunderland and Hull - which both ended in defeats - with new arrival Paul Robinson getting the nod.[LNB]Samuel was then recalled and he looks set to retain his place against Stoke after being part of the team that recorded a victory at Portsmouth.[LNB]He said: "Losing my place was one of those things. It was the manager's decision and you've got to go along with it.[LNB]"I just kept my head down - I had a good pre-season - and waited for my chance again. Hopefully I have taken it as I want to play regularly again this season.[LNB]"I have been pleased with my performances and just want to keep pushing on. I am 28 now and feel I still have a lot to offer."[LNB]Samuel wants Bolton to build on the victory at Portsmouth - their first in the league this season - but expects Stoke to be difficult opposition.[LNB]With a match against Birmingham to follow next Saturday, it is an important spell for the club.[LNB]Samuel said: "You expect to win your home games and we need to start doing that, beginning on Saturday.[LNB]"We know what to expect from Stoke, the ball comes at you from every angle. We need to defend well and create some chances if we are to get the points.[LNB]"With Birmingham to follow we have got some good games against teams that are going to be in and around us.[LNB]"We have got to believe they are games we can win. I am sure if we play like we did against Portsmouth we can get the points."[LNB]Megson believes his side are brimming with confidence and said: "I don't think belief is the right thing to talk about because it was there already to enable us to get that win.[LNB]"It was there even though we had lost three games on the spin. I think it gives us the opportunity now to go on a run, and you can't go on a run unless you take that first step.[LNB]"We've done that now so it's important that we follow it up with another good performance on Saturday."[LNB]He added: "We played Stoke in the first game of last season and beat them 3-1 and I thought they were stronger than us in the first 20 minutes.[LNB]"I think one bookie actually paid out on them getting relegated, but I said at the time they won't go down, and they weren't even close.[LNB]"It is probably the one club in the Premier League at the moment that is on a huge upward curve."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk