Welcome to our new........defenders.

You know when you have been promised one thing but are then delivered another, much like the good folk of Rock Ridge in Blazing Saddles. Well, here we are then. Now I have nothing against Sam Ricketts and Zat Knight, two players who I feel will bring more to the club than Stefan Dennis (the name by which Paul Robinson will now be known), but where is this flair player, the player that we have been promised will make Bolton play a more attractive brand of football? As we were told to expect six players this summer, now have four and are expectant of a fifth from the South of the Korea's, this leaves one more player. And who is this to be? Freddie Bodde? Fabian Delph? Cliff Richard?
While feeling that we have brought in more talent than at any time since the departure of Big Sam (not hard to be admitted), there is still a desperate need for another striker and a decent creative midfielder. If we have just the one transfer left, which position will be filled?

The Sunderland Echo report on Bolton's 1–1 draw at Borussia Munchinggladback gives an all too predictable scenario of Danny the Shit being shrugged off for the equalising goal by the Germans (although the official report on the rubbish website gives it to us somewhat differently). If all Danny had was his strength then this also appears to have gone but he may be on his way out anyway, along with the Badger and Ethan Hunt, an outcome that will not cause too many fans at T'Reebok to shed tears. Although, four in and three out will still give the GSO a pretty threadbare squad, a fact he has been crying about since the final day of last season.

Many congratulations go to a fresh faced bunch of lads who may go far as Bolton won through to the finals of the national OAPS five a side tournament at the MEN on Saturday. Richard Sneekes, David Lee, Simon Farnworth, Scott Green, Michael Johansen, Julian Darby, Allan Johnston, Grandma X's favourite Simon Charlton and voice of the balls Tony Kelly beating Oldham 2–1 in the final. Maybe a few shouts of "sign them up" at the final at the Ekkkkkoo Arena in September?

A not to miss night out on up at (down at?) Tuff Moor next month when the "Clarets Mad" (shum mishtake shurley) fan thingy has Martin Dobson, Paul Fletcher and Owen Coyle at a night they have advertised as "A Trio of Trotters" due to their connections with T'Wanderers back in the day. Now, whilst I am all for blowing the trumpet for Bolton over our numerous Lancashire rivals, Martin Dobson never played a game for Bolton, Paul Fletcher played more games for Burnley than he played for anyone else and Owen Coyle is currently....well you get the point. Obviously some form of hero worship from further up the road. They do say that it is somewhat tongue in cheek, although they do protest too much methinks.

Michael Ricketts you ask? Nothing, nada. Is this the end for our overweight, former England international's football career. Tune in sometime.