Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....


BOLTON SIGN JOAO PEDRO

Bolton have signed Joao Pedro from Watford on a season long loan. The 21 year old Brazilian Striker signed for Watford in 2019/20 season from Fluminese but has only made a handful of appearances. He has been out on loan back in Brazil for Cruzeiro and Gremio.The striker has played 71 competitive games scoring 25 goals. He is looking to establish himself within English football.


 
MAMPALA SIGNS FOR BOLTON

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Centre Forward Manasse Mampala joins Bolton for a nominal fee from Everton. The 22 year old striker spent the last season on loan at League One Southend United scoring 7 goals in 19 appearances. Duncan Ferguson has taken a chance on Mampala who wil have to step up to Championship level of football. The striker only made two appearances for Everton in his career but failed to impress when given his chance. He now has a chance to resurrect his football career with Duncan Ferguson at Bolton Wanderers.
 

FERGUSON: There's no money in the pot

442 magazine caught up with Duncan Ferguson in Portimao after his squads training session.

442: Is the camp going as you are expecting it to? How are the players reacting to playing in temperatures like this?

DF: Training is hard in this heat and we are putting in a lot of physical work out here. There have been no squabbles about it and we are knitting well together. Joao Pedro joined us out here late and is getting involved with the lads on and off the pitch. Mampala hasn't travelled over and is training back in Bolton.

442: You finished last season on a high and put in some consistent positive performances, what will you be looking for to keep that going into the new season?

DF: To have a fully fit squad would be ideal but there are bound to be a few niggles here and there, hopefully nothing too serious. The best thing for us to do is to keep playing together, keep that strong team spirit and I'm only looking to add the right additions. It's not just about your ability but personality as well. I can't have players come in who may upset the dressing room or even myself. A recruitment strategy is in place and although we have no money in the pot, we have to be ruthless in the market.

442: If theres no money for transfer targets, how do you expect to compete with the bigger sides in the league including the teams who have been relegated?

DF: We don't expect anything, we go into this new season as underdogs and I want to instill a fighting spirit, the spirit you seen towards the end of last season. We beat some big teams, home and away. Theres a rebuilding job going on here and it's going to take time. If I'm still here to see out my vision, then I can only see bright things for Bolton.
 
FERGUSON: There's no money in the pot

442 magazine caught up with Duncan Ferguson in Portimao after his squads training session.

442: Is the camp going as you are expecting it to? How are the players reacting to playing in temperatures like this?

DF: Training is hard in this heat and we are putting in a lot of physical work out here. There have been no squabbles about it and we are knitting well together. Joao Pedro joined us out here late and is getting involved with the lads on and off the pitch. Mampala hasn't travelled over and is training back in Bolton.

442: You finished last season on a high and put in some consistent positive performances, what will you be looking for to keep that going into the new season?

DF: To have a fully fit squad would be ideal but there are bound to be a few niggles here and there, hopefully nothing too serious. The best thing for us to do is to keep playing together, keep that strong team spirit and I'm only looking to add the right additions. It's not just about your ability but personality as well. I can't have players come in who may upset the dressing room or even myself. A recruitment strategy is in place and although we have no money in the pot, we have to be ruthless in the market.

442: If theres no money for transfer targets, how do you expect to compete with the bigger sides in the league including the teams who have been relegated?

DF: We don't expect anything, we go into this new season as underdogs and I want to instill a fighting spirit, the spirit you seen towards the end of last season. We beat some big teams, home and away. Theres a rebuilding job going on here and it's going to take time. If I'm still here to see out my vision, then I can only see bright things for Bolton.

I love you Dunc
 

FERGUSON TAKES A GAMBLE ON YOUTH

With funds being an issue for the forthcoming season, Duncan Ferguson has reached into the pool of talent within the U23 set-up and has opted to give midfielder Ryan Miller a chance in the first team this season. "He's a great technical player with a good level of knowledge for 18 years old." Ferguson stated. "He will be in and around the first team this season and once again I can't stress how important it is for youth to be given a chance at first team level."

Ryan Miller will have to work hard to cement a place in the starting XI with talented midfielders like Oztumer, Batty and Docherty already playing regularly in the centre of the park.

Ryan Miller - 18 years old

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