New Boy Ian Hopes To Give Allardyce Headaches

By Mark Heys
July 18 2005

Ian Walker has played in over 400 league games for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, but he knows he will have to work hard if he is to make an impact at Bolton Wanderers.

Walker has been impressed by the Wanderers set up since signing on a Free Transfer last week, and cannot wait to begin the next chapter of his career which will start in Thailand and Japan of all places, an area which he knows well having been part of the England squad in the 2002 World Cup.


"From what I've seen already, Bolton looks to be a Club progressing in a professional manner,"

"The lads' have made me very welcome and I can't wait to get started. I didn't know any of the Bolton players before I joined the Club, but from the outset they have made me feel very welcome.

The 33-year old is hopeful that he can put some pressure on the club's number one goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen by working hard in training and by showing the right attitude.

He beleives that the competition for places will be a good thing for the club to have in the long season ahead and has praised the achievements of his new manager Sam Allardyce.

"My objective is to train hard and push for a place in the team. In Jussi Jaaskelainen, the Club has one of the best 'keepers in the Premiership so I know it won't be easy to oust him from the starting position.

"Competition for places in every position can only be a healthy thing for the manager and if I can put myself on the radar screen then it will certainly give The Gaffer a nice dilemma to have.

"I can bring a lot of experience to the squad and the lure of playing in Europe really excites me.The Gaffer is developing a squad of players which are capable of finishing in the top ten on a regular basis.

"His infectious appetite for the game excited me and I have a lot admiration for what he has achieved here and that is one of the main reasons why I wanted to join Bolton."

Walker is expected to be given a run out in the Thailand tour which starts this Wednesday against local rivals Manchester City. The game is to be screened live on SKY television.