Coyle praises broad Bolton

Owen Coyle is delighted with the tactical flexibility and goalscoring prowess shown by his Bolton side in the early stages of the season.

The Trotters have scored eight goals in their first three games, despite not being able to re-sign Daniel Sturridge, the Chelsea striker who enjoyed a prolific loan spell in the second half of last season.

The former Burnley boss said on Thursday that his side’s malleability was its greatest asset.

“I think we do have that flexibility within our team, we can change shape and formation and we do have players who are match-winners in the final third,” the Scot said.

“Every club needs them because the more match-winners you have in your team, then the better chance you have, although they have to work within the context of what they need to bring to the team shape and work-rate.”

“But what we have shown since the start of the season is that we have goalscorers at the club.”

“People made comments that we would not have the same goal threat – like people said the year before we wouldn’t have the same strength in midfield when Jack Wilshere went back to Arsenal – but we showed our quality last year.”

“The only thing that happened was the lack of numbers towards the end of the season so we have bolstered that.”

“We do have a goal threat – and we will look to add to that – and for me that augurs well.”

The Glasgow-born boss reserved special praise for new signing Tuncay Sanli, who enjoyed an excellent debut in the League Cup win over Macclesfield on Wednesday, scoring one goal and setting up another.

“He showed he can play through the middle and is quite adept at playing off to the side or behind the striker,” Coyle said of the Turkish striker.

“He is a very intelligent footballer and he has not been the captain of Turkey by accident, this is a quality player.”

Coyle confirmed that he still wants to bring players in to bulk out his squad for the rigours of the season ahead.

“We are still trying to get people in but I don’t have anyone cut and dried at this moment,” he admitted.”

“In the next few days we will try to pursue that quite vigorously to ensure that happens.”

“We will try to get the one or two in who we think will help us because we want to make sure we have a squad that is able to cope with the demands of the season.”