We won’t let Bolton crash and burn
KARL HENRY loves a challenge – which is just as well, because he is facing the biggest test of his long career.
The 34-year-old has relished doing battle in the midfield trenches with QPR, Wolves and Stoke, and now Bolton are hoping he will come to their rescue with his warrior qualities.
Phil Parkinson’s strugglers are the only EFL side without a league win this season and are rooted to the bottom of the Championship after losing seven consecutive games for the first time since 1907.
But Henry, released by QPR in the summer, knows a thing or two about relegation scraps and is already convinced that newly-promoted Bolton, far from being doomed, have what it takes to stay up.
“I’m optimistic because when I came in on Monday and saw the lads training it was clear they’re certainly not a down-and-out team,” Henry said.
“I turned up halfexpecting to see a load of disgruntled players, which happens, and for training to be not so sharp and people moping around. But it was the complete opposite.
“I was surprised to see a group of players who are right at it. They’re not lacking in belief or team spirit but are seemingly not quite getting results.”
Henry, who impressed on his debut in a 2-0 loss at Bristol City on Tuesday, says Parkinson has brought him in “to put my foot in” and add his experience.
“I could have gone elsewhere and had an easy time but that’s not what I’m about,” he said.
“I’m competitive and I want to achieve things, and staying in the Championship beyond this season would be a great achievement. It’s a difficult time GRABBING HIS CHANCE: Henry, left, gets stuck into Reid, of Bristol City CARLO ANCELOTTI has been sacked as coach of Bayern Munich in the wake of the Bundesliga champions’ 3-0 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. He leaves with Bayern third in the Bundesliga and second behind PSG in their Champions League group. Ancelotti, left, had been Bayern boss since the summer of 2016. Assistant coach Willy Sagnol has taken charge on an interim basis. The Italian’s back room team, including son Davide, have also gone. and you can come out fighting with nothing to lose. “It will be tough but there is still hope because you can see everyone is behind the manager – so there’s no doubt in my mind we will get ourselves out of this situation. But we’ll have to dig deep.” Henry, who has signed a shortterm deal with Bolton, hit the ground running after working out in his garage and training with West Brom, which means he is raring to go ahead of the trip to Aston Villa tomorrow.
He remains bullish even though his new team-mates are responsible for one of the worst runs of results in Bolton’s history – including a club record for the longest goal drought, which is now way beyond 10 hours.
“I’ve been in so many relegation battles and you get in situations where you can’t see the wood for the trees and can’t get those results,” Henry said.
“You can keep on losing but you’ve got to stop that rot somehow. You just need one win to turn things around,
ON TO A LOSER
Darwen hold the Football League record for consecutive defeats with 18 during the 1898–99 season. Sunderland came close to matching it in 2003 when they lost 17 in a row. Derby County went 32 games without a win during their infamous 2007-8 Premier League season. Ipswich lost eight straight Premier League matches in 1994-95. QPR’s failure to win opening 16 games in 2012-13 is longest winless run at the start of a Premier League season. American college football side Prairie View lost 80 straight games over a 10-year period from 1989. The now mighty Cleveland Cavaliers basketball side lost 26 games in a row in the 2010-11 NBA season. inspire a bit of confidence and then off you go.”
Henry will hope for a quick upturn in fortunes to avoid end-of-season drama.
“At Wolves we escaped relegation on the last day but I wouldn’t say I’ve got fond memories of it because it was like surviving a car crash,” he said.
“There was no feeling of adulation, it was just relief. That was a great escape. It was huge because you’re talking about a club, a city and it’s more than just winning a game of football.
“Keeping Bolton up is more than just for ourselves and our records and our own pride. Hopefully, we’ll provide a platform for the club to kick on next season – with me.” MANCHESTER CITY’S £52million defender Benjamin Mendy is almost certainly out for the season after tests confirmed he has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The France left-back suffered the injury during the first half of last Saturday’s 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.
After initial tests in Manchester, Mendy, right, travelled to Barcelona to see a specialist, where the extent of the damage was then confirmed.