Jimmy Phillips: Dougie Freedman will inherit a confident Bolton Wanderers team

Dougie Freedman: The 38-year-old will take over Bolton Wanderers after Saturday's match against Middlesbrough

Jimmy Phillips believes that new Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman will inherit a side brimming with talent and restored confidence.

Phillips will be the caretaker manager of the Trotters for their clash with Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday and will then hand over the reins.

Under the 46-year-old, Bolton defeated Bristol City and drew with Wolverhampton Wanderers and he expects them to continue flourishing under Freedman.

"He'll have the players in a more confident frame," he said. "The players' minds are much at ease.

"Going into the Wolves game they were very professional, put in a good performance and built on what they'd started against Bristol City.

"I think he's inheriting a team that like to get the ball down, pass it along the floor and create opportunities that way.

"He's got some great experienced players in Martin Petrov and Kevin Davies and some younger players with great experience of international football in Lee Chung-Yong and Sam Ricketts.

"So he's got a full array of talent. How he then puts it all together to get the results will be Dougie's challenge.

"He's managed to do that well with his Crystal Palace teams so we're hoping he can do the same for us."