Elmander admits he was at rock bottom during Bolton goal drought
17 Nov 2009 - 00:24:03
Adapting: Bolton striker Johan Elmander
Bolton striker Johan Elmander admits he began to doubt his own ability after a difficult first season in England.
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.
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.
The player claims he is more confident now but went through some serious soul-searching during his barren spell.
'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.
'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.'
Back in form: Elmander scores for Bolton earlier this season
Elmander believes his form is returning and he will soon be back to his best.
'The turning point came when I had a decent international against Hungary (in September),' he told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
'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.'
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