Source: Daily_Mail
Stunned Samuel backs new Bolton skipper Davies to match departed Nolan
Jlloyd Samuel has admitted club captain Kevin Nolan's January transfer to Newcastleshocked the Boltonsquad but has backed new skipper Kevin Davies to do an equally good job wearing the armband. Defender Samuel, who moved to the Reebok from Aston Villa in 2007, and said Nolan's sudden departure to St James' Park came out of the blue. 'It was a shock to all of us when Kevin Nolan moved to Newcastle,' he said. Leading the way: Jlloyd Samuel has every confidence in new Bolton skipper Kevin Davies following the departure of former club captain Kevin Nolan to Newcastle WIN tickets to see Bolton take on West Ham at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday February 21 TALK TENNIS BLOG: Sportsmail's Alex Kay meets jovial Russian Dmitriy TursunovBOLTON WANDERERS FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB 'He was captain of the club and there was no talk leading up to it, it just happened. 'One day he was in training and the next he was gone. It's the life you lead as a footballer, people are always leaving and it's very transient but you do get used to it.'But Samuel, writing on icons.com, said he has faith in Davies to step up and fill the void. Looking forward: Samuel (L) is eagerly awaiting the visit of West Ham this weekend after their last Premier League outing defeat to in-form Everton He said: 'Kevin Davies is the new skipper and I think he'll do a good job. I hope so. 'He's been a great performer for us and he's a wholehearted player. He has been at the club for a long time and he knows it as well as anybody. You know what Kev is about and you know what you are going to get from him week-in, week-out.'And the 27-year-old said he and his team-mates are relishing the visit of West Hamthis weekend as they aim to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat at Evertonlast time out. He said: 'When you lose you just want the next game to come so that you can put things right. 'If we'd have won against Everton, then things would have been different but as it stands, I can't wait to face West Ham. 'They are having a fantastic run of form under Gianfranco Zola and it's going to be tough but we're confident we can get a result at The Reebok. 'You've got to take your points at home and we have got to start climbing to safety in the league.' WIN tickets to see Bolton take on West Ham at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday February 21 TALK TENNIS BLOG: Sportsmail's Alex Kay meets jovial Russian Dmitriy TursunovBOLTON WANDERERS FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB