Trotters' reputation not fair - Jussi

07 August 2009 15:32
Under former long-time manager Sam Allardyce, Wanderers were seen as a competitive, over-physical, long-ball side and although that brought relative success - including European football - Jaaskelainen insists things have moved on. Sammy Lee, Allardyce's immediate replacement, tried to change the style of play but the experiment proved a failure as he lasted just six months. Gary Megson then came in and took the squad back to basics but even he has spoken of a desire to get Bolton playing more football. "If you look at the way we play, sometimes we play long ball but we also play good football," Jaaskelainen said. "I don't think our reputation has ever been fair. It doesn't matter what people think of us, as long as we are together and we are successful that is the main thing." Megson has operated with the smallest squad in the Premier League for more than 18 months but this summer has tried to bring in some new faces to give him more options. He recruited Sean Davis from Portsmouth on a free transfer and strengthened his defence by bringing in West Brom's Paul Robinson on a season-long loan, Hull full-back Sam Ricketts and Aston Villa centre-half Zat Knight. Megson is still looking for more, with a striker and a midfielder on his wish list. Jaaskelainen, however, is happy with the additions already made. "The main thing is we have kept most of the squad from last season and I'm delighted with the signings we have made," said the 34-year-old goalkeeper, who is marking his 12 years at the club with a testimonial season, starting tomorrow with a friendly at home to Hibernian. "Sean Davis will bring us some more quality in the midfield with his possession of the ball. "He is a similar player to (former Real Madrid and Bolton midfielder) Ivan Campo so we are happy with him and the experience he will bring. "And I'm delighted we have got Zat Knight. We had only three centre-halves last season and if one got injured and one was out of form you had no chance to change it. We need four."

Source: Team_Talk