Moreno can add 'cutting edge' to Bolton's attack
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Your support makes all the difference.The Bolton manager, Owen Coyle, is pleased with the start his attack has made to the season and hopes to see it demonstrating a "cutting edge" for the rest of the campaign.
Wanderers yesterday unveiled their new forward Rodrigo Moreno, a transfer deadline-day loan capture from Benfica who will compete with club captain Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander, Ivan Klasnic and Robbie Blake for a place up front.
All four of that quartet have already got their names on the scoresheet this season, with Bolton undefeated after three Premier League games – a victory at West Ham sandwiched between draws at home to Fulham and Birmingham City – and through to the Carling Cup third round with a 1-0 win at Southampton.
It has made for an encouraging opening to 2010-11 and now Moreno has further boosted the ranks, Coyle is looking for Wanderers to be clinical in front of goal so they can maintain their early momentum.
"I would have been even more happy if we'd scored in the first game at home against Fulham [a 0-0 draw] because we had a number of opportunities, but I think the lads are working ever so hard, particularly in the forward area," Coyle said. "The skipper has been magnificent for me from day one, Johan has shown that he is really up for the task, Ivan Klasnic has been injured but we have him to come back in and Robbie Blake has shown that he is prepared to step up and has that quality.
"Rodrigo will add to that, which is great, and hopefully we can now add that cutting edge.
"It is very early in the season, but we are pleased at this moment in time and we have to continue with that progress.
"That involves hard work and when the chances come about, hopefully we'll have that cutting edge to take them."
Moreno, a Brazil-born Spain Under-19 international, joined Benfica only in July on a five-year deal from Real Madrid, but has moved to the Reebok Stadium to gain experience.
He is reunited with his former Real team-mate Marcos Alonso, whom Bolton signed earlier this summer. Having also brought in Klasnic, Blake and Martin Petrov over the last few months, Coyle feels he has another "flair" player to work with in Moreno. "I'd actually tried to sign him from Real Madrid in the summer and ultimately the finance was far too much for us, so to now get him on loan, we are delighted," Coyle said.
"He is 19 years old, can play anywhere across the forward line, as a main striker or behind, and he can play in the wide areas. He has got pace, terrific ability and is naturally left-sided. He is just a real flair player as far as I am concerned.
"I think with Marcos here as well, who he played with at Real Madrid, it will help them both to settle into a new environment and culture, and hopefully now our football club has two very exciting young football players on our hands."
Moreno revealed that he had consulted defender Alonso before making the move to Bolton. "Without a doubt, the conversations I had with Marcos had some influence on me coming here," Alonso said.
"We spoke a lot about the club, the management and the way people are and that was important for me. I want to repay the trust the management has shown in me and do my best to show my qualities for Bolton and their fans."
Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed that teenage forward Danny Ward has committed himself to the club by signing a new three-year contract at the Reebok Stadium.
Coyle yesterday indicated that Ward, who impressed during a temporary stint with Swindon last term, is likely to go out on loan again in the next few weeks, with Championship side Coventry thought to be his most likely destination.
The 18-year-old forward has made only two substitute appearances for Wanderers, but impressed during a loan spell with Swindon last season.
Coyle yesterday indicated Ward was likely to go out on loan again in the next few weeks, with Championship side Coventry thought to be his most likely destination.
"I have tremendous belief in Danny, but it's fair to say that he needs to go and get some Championship experience," Coyle told Bolton Wanderers' website.
"He was involved in our squad throughout pre-season and did ever so well but, with the players that we have in front of him at the moment, it makes sense for him to go out on loan.
"He can now go out on an emergency loan, which covers the next three months, and I know that when he comes back then I will get a far better player.
"Danny did ever so well with Swindon in League One and he was a big part of their promotion push which saw them reach the play-off final.
"If he goes out and gets some games, then he will come back and be ready to push into our first team. There have been numerous clubs throughout the Championship that have been after him, so it is likely that he will go out on loan in the next week or so."
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