Sam Set To Raid Bolton

Last updated : 19 May 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Sam Allardyce has already been heavily linked with Bolton's Israeli centre-back Tal Ben Haim, available on Bosman-style free transfer.

And Haim is not the only Bolton player likely to interest Allardyce, with striker Nicolas Anelka, right-back Nicky Hunt and midfielder Kevin Nolan also on his wish list.

Allardyce is also keen to recruit Mike Ford, Bolton's performance director, as the first member of his new-look backroom team.

Allardyce: "This summer is about recruitment and getting the best players we can for this great football club. I've gradually been getting around seeing the staff at the training ground, which is one of the most important things, getting a run down from them on the players we've got to start next season. I've also been looking at the training programme for pre-season with the chairman and Russell (Cushing). And then we've got to target a few players.

"We've released one or two which is something that has to be done from my point of view. I know some of the players will be disappointed in that but it is a fact of life. We have to move on and get better and better.

"I think first and foremost we need to get the first team right and get the playing squad all pulling in the same direction. Although I haven't spoken to all of the players individually or collectively, one or two people have said to me there are one or two fractions between one or two of the players and they're not all in the same camp. We need to sort that out.

"We have a talented bunch of boys who need a little more guidance and I think pulling together as individuals is okay, but what you need most of all is team spirit. To be collectively together, be able to roll your sleeves up, fight, wear your heart on your sleeve, enjoy your football and, hopefully, that will pass over to the fans who will look forward to watch us play.

"The first priority is to win your home games, which means you're always going to send your fans away happy. They'll enjoy and look forward to their weekend when they've left St James's Park with three points in the bag.

"That is going to be the catalyst to where we're going to finish in the season. And when it comes to playing away from home it is about becoming more resilient and a bit more determined to dig in and defend a bit more correctly, rather than going away to play attacking football which is what we want to do at St James's. We'll be seeing two different Newcastle Uniteds if you like."