Marc Iles from The Bolton News (or Bolton Evening News as i’m sure everyone still calls it) has reported rather amazingly that Owen Coyle refuses, or at least caps, the amount of financial backing in the market offered to him by Big Phil Gartside.

The article centres on Coyle’s most recent comments surrounding his desire to bring in more signings before the start of the season, but ultimately that he likes to be responsible with the money at his disposal and not pay over the odds for players. He has even had to decline the encouragement of the chairman, who has been willing to stump up the necessary funds to make deals happen. Personally, I had expected that OC would have been begging for all the cash he could get his hands on, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

This is certainly excellent fiscal management and although that’s not necessarily what you want to hear as a fan during the summer, you can’t help but appreciate that Coyle knows the club and he knows it suffered some dark financial days before getting to where it is now. Even with that thrifty philosophy, few can have any complaints with the business done by OC since his arrival.

Interestingly, a thinly veiled criticism of Gary Megson’s tenure and approach to signings was noted. In particular, when asked about making an Elmander-esque landmark signing he said – “You never say never, but the way I would usually go about things, I wouldn’t spend 11 million Euros on a player in his late twenties”.

Clearly, Coyle hasn’t enjoyed the unenviable task of chopping out much of the deadwood left over by Sammy Lee and Gary Megson, and being forced to undergo an end-of-season overhaul of the first team staff. That being said, the team looks much fresher and better for it. Coyle has recognised that the lack of competition did for us at the tail end of the season, and the new lads offer a new sense of spirit and fight, particularly in the middle of the park.

For once as a Bolton fan it looks like we could be making moves for players all the way up to deadline day and it will be well worth keeping your eyes peeled for the latest breaking news. I’m going to stick my neck out and guestimate 3 more signings – 1 striker and 2 loans. What do you think? (comments below)