New boys on song says Wheater
SKIPPER David Wheater says Bolton’s new boys set the perfect tone after struggling to hit high notes ahead of this opening-day win.
Debutants Josh Magennis and Yanic Wildschut scored the goals that stunned the Baggies on their return to the Championship from the Premier League.
But Wheater revealed the pair had been less in tune ahead of the game, when they were forced to sing for their supper at the team hotel for a newcomers’ initiation ceremony. “They are
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great lads and just get involved with the squad,” said defender Wheater.
“The new lads did singsongs on Friday before dinner and it was great fun. Pawel Olkowski was the worst. Josh sang Angels, the Robbie Williams song, and he struggled a little bit on the high notes. He was very good though.
“Yanic started to sing All Of You by John Legend and it was going well but he said he forgot the words and started singing some random European song!”
Dutchman Wildschut recovered from his embarrassment in time to step off the bench and score an 89th-minute winner for the Trotters after Magennis opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Harvey Barnes – another man making his debut – equalised for Albion with a stunning curler from 20 yards in first-half stoppage time.
But the Baggies, who have spent the last eight years in the Premier League, suffered openingday defeat to a side who only stayed up in the Championship in the final minutes of last season. Their survival was achieved with two late goals against Nottingham Forest.
Barnes’ superb strike from the edge of the area was the only high point for West Brom manager Darren Moore.
The Baggies face a vital five days ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline with Newcastle target Salomon Rondon and wantaway defender Craig Dawson absent from the squad for this match.