Reflections: the Season, Jay Jay, Bruno and Transfers
Posted by Ratbert in Bolton, Transfers | 10 May 2006
Well, that’s it. A season that was fast tailing off nose dived into the murky pond of 2005/06 and never resurfaced. The Birmingham game was probably a victory that will rank low on the memories of the massed ranks, who at least could leave the Reebok on Sunday knowing they can go on a European holiday without the added inconvenience of a football match to concern them.
The only real significance of Sunday, Intertoto no-go aside, was that Jay Jay Okocha and Bruno N’Gotty donned the great White shirt for the last time, having been put out to pasture by Big Sam for next season.
Personally, I’d have kept Bruno a season longer, as his performances, even this year, have been as good as ever. Always in the right place, always on the pace, mistakes that are memorable only because they were so few and far between. And some great goals, all with the head.
And Jay Jay. We’ve had some great moments watching him on Soccer AM’s ‘Showboat’ feature, playing with the ball like a kitten with wool. Forget the fact that injury, and a not always sympathetic formation, and general lethargy have dulled his edge of late. Remember the goal against West Ham that effectively kept us up that season. All the way from his own half, jinking past and tripping over defenders, and a majestic finish. And the free-kick against Aston Villa, the one that defied the laws of physics, that got us into the Carling Cup final. Arguably his last great moment in Bolton colours.
Good luck to both, and to Bedi Buval, Matt Jansen, Khaliou Fadiga, and Oscar Perez. Your contributions were minimal or next to nothing, but thanks for coming all the same. Just remember to take Pedersen with you. Ta.
Overall the season ended in disappointment, but after last year that was always going to be the case. We had two decent cup runs, another top ten finish, a great UEFA debut and the honour of Kevin Nolan and Big Sam seriously linked to England. Doesn’t look so grim in retrospect. But we’re still empty-handed, and why? Bad luck? Possibly. Sam distracted by his job interviews? Maybe. Too many games, too small a squad? Probably. Throw in Campo’s injury and Diouf’s demons and there’s a reason for everyone in there.
So now the World Cup looms, once we’re past the settling of the cups (best of luck Middlesbrough and Arsenal; worst of luck to West Ham) and Sam is up for locking down as many deals as possible before the big June 9 kick-off (less than a month – blimey). As previous seasons have shown, plans to get ‘em in early have fallen flat, leaving little or nothing left of much consequence come August. Let’s hope it’s different this time, as any lack of dosh or quality could see Sam off to the Sky Sports studio permanently, and we wouldn’t want that, would we?
