Bolton injury jinx strikes

Friday, 30/09/2011

by Emma Norris, Shoot's Bolton blogger

They say that lightening never strikes twice – in the case of Stuart Holden however, that could not be further from the truth.

The 26-year-old is set to be sidelined for six months after a follow-up operation on his knee.

Naturally, supporters are a little aggrieved. After all, the American international was all set to regain his place in the Bolton midfield, but it was a procedure that had to be done sooner or later.

Many, myself included, thought that it surely had to be a mistake as the news was announced – Holden out for six months.

During the operation doctors uncovered cartilage damage, enough to put the midfield maestro out of action for what will effectively be most of the season.

Although a cruel blow to the supporters, nobody can possibly comprehend how Holden himself must be feeling. After spending six months on the treatment table following Jonny Evans’ rambunctious challenge on him back in March, the club’s Player of the Year played a full 90 minutes in the team’s 2-0 Carling Cup victory over Aston Villa last week.

It seemed to many that the visit of Chelsea on Sunday afternoon could have been his welcome back party as such, but fate has been incredibly cruel to a man who can only be described as an amiable and infectious character.

To be sidelined for six months is enough to rock even the most hardened professional, but to work your way back to the brink of a return and have it snatched away from you must be crippling.

Many teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea would never be able to comprehend the true extent of losing a player of Holden’s calibre. We have a tightly knit side, and the loss of one key player can threaten to throw all that up in the air.

Now comes the true test of our credentials. The club’s opening six fixtures have been horrific to say the least, facing the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United to name a few. Although the loss of Holden will no doubt upset the team, now is the time to show the Premier League what Bolton Wanderers are really about.

The season effectively starts on October 15 against Wigan Athletic. Owen Coyle will have a tough job on his hands to turn our fortunes around, but I have every faith that he can do it.

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