Nigel Reo-Coker admits he suffered flashbacks to Fabrice Muamba's sudden collapse during Tuesday's game at White Hart Lane.
Midfielder praises team-mates for facing fears
Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker admits he suffered flashbacks to Fabrice Muamba's sudden collapse during Tuesday's defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Bolton returned to the scene of Muamba's shock cardiac arrest for Tuesday's re-arranged FA Cup clash with Tottenham after the original tie was abandoned following the collapse of Muamba.
Muamba is in a serious condition in London Chest Hospital, but he is continuing to show good signs of improvement in his recovery.
Reo-Coker revealed that memories of the incident drove him to return to the precise scene of Muamba's collapse.
"Yes, you could call it flashbacks," said Reo-Coker. "That's why I had to walk over to the spot before the game to get it out of my system and, speaking to the club doctor, even he said he felt weird.
"When I came on the pitch before the game, I had to walk over to the area where the incident occurred, just for my own benefit. There was a tingly feeling down my spine."
Emotions
Reo-Coker admits he is unsure whether the occasion had affected Bolton's performance in the 3-1 defeat but he praised his team-mates for facing their fears at White Hart Lane.
"I felt we were slightly withdrawn," added Reo-Coker. "I can't speak for the rest of the lads. I can only speak of my experience. It was a day of very mixed emotions and I will never in my life be able to sum up in words the emotions I went though.
"In a way we had to face our fears. It helps that we can come back here and play this game. We have a young team and I felt they dealt with it very well.
"I could never tell you how long it will take for people to totally get over their reactions to what happened. It might take years for people to get over it."
