Source: Daily_Mail
Mircacle man Owen Coyle has Bolton looking up by working his magic on striker Johan Elmander
Owen Coyle knew what he was doing whenhe abandoned Burnley for Bolton. [LNB]Burnleywere looking good for survival at the turnof the year and Bolton were fourth frombottom of the Premier League. [LNB]Now Burnleyare mid-table in the Championship and,after their 5-1 win over Newcastle theirbiggest at the Reebok in 13 years Boltonare fifth. [LNB]Sportsmail looks at how Coyle hasturned Bolton around. [LNB] Miracle worker: Bolton manager Owen Coyle[LNB]MR POPULARCoyle has gone out of his way to attend fans'forums and make himself more accessible. Amore entertaining brand of football has alsogone down well, with attendances up to anaverage of just below 23,000 this season.[LNB]Defender Gretar Steinsson said: 'It's totallydifferent from the first years when I washere, being in a team that actually believethey can get points against the strong sidesinstead of just hoping for a draw.' [LNB]BEST OF BOTHCoyle has managed to combine his passing gamephilosophy with Bolton's morephysical and direct style, utilised by formerbosses Sam Allardyce and Gary Megson. [LNB]Thebest example of this is Kevin Davies, withCoyle using his captain's physical strengthand combative nature while encouragingthe finer points in his game resulting in afirst England call-up last month. [LNB] Vintage: Bolton striker Kevin Davies is Premier League force at 33[LNB]Davies, 33,who scored two penalties on Saturday, said:'The confidence is high and I think the beliefis starting to creep in among the players.The manager is doing a fantastic job keepingeverybody happy.' [LNB]YOUNG AT HEART Coyle's infectious enthusiasm is well known.Last week, he couldn't resist turning out forBolton at Cliftonville to mark the opening ofthe Irish club's new stadium. [LNB]Even at the ageof 44 15 years after his last appearance forthe club Coyle played nearly 70 minutes ofthe game, setting up Ivan Klasnic for thefirst goal and scoring the second himself. [LNB]Hegets the best out of his players with hispositive thinking and man-management. [LNB]His goalkeeper at Burnley, Brian Jensen,says: 'The main thing he does is to tell youthat you're good enough. He gives you so much self-confidence and belief, and that's90 per cent of it in football. [LNB] Days gone by: Owen Coyle (left) with goalkeeper Brian Jensen during their time at Burnley [LNB]'There isn't a daywhen he doesn't come in with a smile on hisface. That's his philosophy: have goodbanter, crack jokes, work hard but at thesame time just enjoy yourself.[LNB]'Everybodythinks he's a magician but what he does isn'trocket science.' [LNB]Coyle says of his players:'They are a great bunch to work with andcome in with a smile every day.' [LNB]EL OF A DIFFERENCEThe man who has benefited most fromCoyle's influence is Bolton's £8.2millionrecord signing Johan Elmander. [LNB] Midas touch: Owen Coyle is bringing the best out of Johan Elmander[LNB]Coylesingled the Sweden striker out on his first dayand after Elmander took his season's goaltally to eight at the weekend, he hopes topersuade him to sign a new contract beforehis deal runs out at the end of the season.[LNB]'I felt from day one he was prepared tolisten and buy into what we were doing. Hehad a smile on his face and wanted to enjoyhimself. He deserves all the credit.' [LNB]WIDE BOYSHe backed up his strategy of playing withwingers by signing Martin Petrov lastsummer. [LNB]Coyle persuaded the Bulgarian tojoin by promising him regular football andan expansive style to maximise his talents. [LNB] Wide boy: Martin Petrov joined Bolton from Nanchester City last summer[LNB]The competition for places is bringing outthe best in Matt Taylor, while Lee Chung-yongcontinues to impress on the right.[LNB] Bolton 5 Newcastle 1: Magpies thrashed as Bolton trot into top fourAncelotti ready to spend in January to patch up crocked Chelsea defenceBOLTON WANDERERS FC NEWS FRM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] Explore more:People: Ivan Klasnic, Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander, Brian Jensen, Gary Megson, Sam Allardyce, Martin Petrov, Owen Coyle Places: Newcastle, United Kingdom
