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Bolton’s Lee boost
Wednesday, 26/01/2011
by Emma Norris, Shoot's Bolton blogger
I always want our players to succeed on the international scene, but when I heard South Korea had failed to reach the final of the Asia Cup I jumped for joy – and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Their failure is ultimately our gain – albeit later than we’d all hoped. Following Friday’s third place play-off, Chung-Yong Lee will be heading back to the Reebok over a month after he jetted off to play for his country. In that month, we’ve failed to win a single Premier League game, our only victory coming in the FA Cup against lowly York City.
The 22-year-old talismanic midfielder has been an inspiration since his transfer from FC Seoul in the summer of 2009, with his presence being sorely missed in recent weeks. I firmly believe that it is no coincidence that the Wanderers’ poorest form of the campaign has coincided with him jetting off for a mid-season competition.
The fear is however that Chung-Yong will take time to find the form which made him the club’s Player of the Year last season – the midfielder has literally been playing non-stop for club and country for near on two years without a break, and I fear that his appearances for South Korea this month could possibly have burned him out.
He has been terribly missed in the Wanderers’ midfield – I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks that we have been missing that little bit of excitement he brings to the team. He will be welcomed back into the fold with open arms, with the Bolton faithful hoping the little South Korean we’ve all taken into our hearts will be able to stop the rot we’ve found ourselves in of late.
With any luck, Chung-Yong should be back in time to be in contention for our game against Wolves at the Reebok next Wednesday evening – a game already dubbed as ‘must-win’ following the dire form of recent weeks. Providing the energetic youngster comes back injury free, I most definitely believe that his return will halt the slide and help us climb back up the table again.
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Wednesday, 26/01/2011
In fairness you point out that their loss is our gain but the third place play off game is played only a day earlier than the final of the tournament so its hardly a great reprieve. If anything his return to action for BWFC would likely to have been the same whether he featured in the third place match or the final - but possibly having won the trophy he could have been buoyed and spurred on in his return. Aside from that nitpicking, the point of your article is a good and valid one. We have sorely missed his ability and pace on the right wing. Using Taylor or Petrov on that side doesn’t yield the same results, although we have seen some of Rodrigo’s ability whilst playing there. I’m sure Coyle’s concerns about Lee burning out - after two years of solid football - will be even stronger after a gruelling tournament. I don’t think we will see Lee starting against Wolves.