Source: Telegraph
Owen Coyle eager to lead Bolton Wanderers for first time against Arsenal on Sunday
Coyle may have been in the job only a few days after arriving from Burnley but he has an affinity with the club stretching back to the Nineties, when he played for the team. The Scot is relishing the challenge of going head-to-head with Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager. "It will be emotional and I will feel a sense of pride as well," Coyle said. "If I wasn't nervous there would be something wrong. Related ArticlesMegson 'on gardening leave'Blackburn Rovers v Fulham: previewCoyle 'cried' after leaving Turf MoorCoyle turned down Celtic to stay in Premier LeagueTransfer TalkSport on television"The first few days with the players have been great. It has been a whirlwind but I have enjoyed every moment. There are some good players here and they have applied themselves well in training. "I feel privileged to be Bolton's manager and excited about what lies ahead. You want your first game to get under way. "It is a game to look forward to against a team that is the role model for any young manager. "You look at the way Arsène Wenger has built that club and the style of play. I am a big admirer of them. But I still believe we can test Arsenal. We know their strengths far outweigh their weaknesses. We have to nullify those threats."Coyle has called on captain Kevin Davies to maintain the high standards he has set and drive the team out of the relegation zone. The striker has been an influential figure, first under Sam Allardyce, then Sammy Lee and Gary Megson. Coyle said: "Kevin has a massive role to play here as captain. His ability speaks for itself. "He has shown over many years in the Premier League that he is a top striker. I had an extensive chat with him and liked everything I heard. What we have to do is build and foster that relationship with team spirit we have at the club. He plays a big part in that."Coyle wants the team and the fans to bond after his predecessor, Megson, failed to win over a section of the support. He said: "I know the Bolton fans from my time as a player and they always got behind the team. "They gave it tremendous support and that is what we are looking for. It is a double-edged sword. The players need to give people something to shout about, but equally the fans need to give that backing."