Jussi Jaaskelainen

Owen Coyle’s side managed a 0-0 draw with Fulham in their opening league game after an extensive pre-season that saw them travel to North America and Scotland and achieve some mixed results.

Keeper Jaaskelainen arrived at Bolton in 1997 and has seen a lot change around the club during his time in the north west.

He admits to being particularly impressed by the effect that Coyle has had on the team since he replaced Gary Megson in January.

The former Burnley manager has worked astutely in the transfer market during the summer, bringing Martin Petrov and Robbie Blake in on free transfers while also signing Marcos Alonso and teenager Tom Eaves.

Former Finland international Jaaskelainen has saved Bolton (125/1 to finish in the Premier League top four) countless points over his 13 years at the club and admits that defensive frailties hampered the side last season – which is something that needs to change this year.

Only five clean sheets in 36 games last season held the club back and the 35-year-old told the Bolton News that was the result of “loads of individual mistakes”, something that was not “good enough” for the club.

“With the manager bringing a lot more confidence to players hopefully we can show that during the season and that will result in more clean sheets,” said Jaaskelainen.

“The main thing for us is to have a good start and, in the first 10 games, we need to get around 15 points because in the last three years that is what has been letting us down.

“If we make a good start, then we can look for a top-10 finish.”

One man looking to benefit from the new confidence that Coyle has brought to the Reebok Stadium is striking misfit Johan Elmander.

The £10 million club record signing has scored only eight goals since arriving in the summer of 2008 and has been subject of cruel jibes during his time in the Premier League.

After the draw against Fulham Coyle took time to pay credit to the Swedish striker, stating he was “outstanding” during the game and “deserved a goal” – he was ultimately prevented by young goalkeeper David Stockdale, however.

Speaking about the forward, Coyle said: “I have always had belief in him. I can try and give him confidence because I have belief in him as a manager, and I’ve shown that by picking him.”

Elmander is likely to have his next chance to repay the faith from his manager when Bolton travel to east London to take on West Ham in the Premier League this weekend (West Ham 6/5 to win, Bolton 21/1, draw 9/4).

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