Matt Holland told Sky Sports News why Bolton can push for promotion back to the Premier League.
Holland reckons Bolton will be near the Championship summit
Matt Holland thinks Bolton can return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Wanderers were relegated from the top flight at the end of the previous campaign, bringing to an end an 11-year stay in the elite division, while the number of departures over the summer has hit double figures, with the likes of Nigel Reo-Coker and Ivan Klasnic heading for pastures new.
However, former Ipswich and Charlton midfielder Holland believes Trotters chief Owen Coyle has purchased astutely during the offseason and says the Reebok Stadium outfit have the players to challenge for automatic promotion from the Championship.
"Bolton had a difficult time last year but Owen Coyle is a terrific manager and he has made some good signings," Holland told
Sky Sports News.
"Keith Andrews and Matt Mills have come in and they will be very important players, while striker Marvin Sordell has proved his worth in the Championship with Watford.
"Chris Eagles and Mark Davies should do well at that level and Stuart Holden, Lee Chung-Yong and Tyrone Mears are also coming back from injury and they will be like new signings."
Matt also gave his take on some of the other promotion contenders...
BLACKBURN
"Steve Kean is not the most popular figure [at Blackburn] and Rovers have lost Yakubu and Junior Hoilett, but I think Steve has made some very good signings: Danny Murphy should prove to be a key player in the Championship as should Nuno Gomes. I think they are going to push the boat out and will sign another couple of strikers before August to compensate for Leon Best's injury and I think they will be there or thereabouts."
LEICESTER
"They went on to finish ninth last season but I expect them to improve on that this year. I'm looking forward to seeing how new signing Jamie Vardy does having moved from Fleetwood, while winger Ben Marshall is a very good player as well."
BIRMINGHAM
"Birmingham finished fourth last year and having had their transfer embargo lifted I think they have made a couple of key signings in Peter Lovenkrands and my old mate Darren Ambrose, who I know can score goals from midfield. They will be pushing for the play-offs this year.
CARDIFF, WOLVES AND BRIGHTON
"Cardiff could have a big season. Mark Hudson is a leader at the back and, of course, Craig Bellamy has arrived and he will be looking to get the side promoted.
"Wolves have lost Michael Kightly and I think one or two others may follow him out of the door before the end of August, but that will release funds to bring others in.
"Brighton were 10th last season but faded away a little bit after a good start. They need to score more goals and if Craig Mackail-Smith can get in the 15-20 mark they'll be pushing for the play-offs."
Check out Peter Beagrie's take on the Championship runners and riders here.
