After Bolton’s 2-1 victory over League Two side Macclesfield Town, manager Owen Coyle praised the free-flowing football that his side were playing. However, Coyle moved to make it clear that squad depth and adaptability are just as important to him as playing style as he looks to bring in more fresh faces. While Coyle is still looking to add to his squad before the transfer window shuts, with players like Manchester City’s Shaun Wright-Phillips and Liverpool’s want away striker David N’Gog both being linked with potential transfers, one player who is already at the club and could prove to be a brilliant piece of business is Bolton’s recent loan signing, forward Tuncay Sanli. Tuncay started his first game for the club against Macclesfield after a two-week wait for a work permit to come through that allowed the player to take to the field. The Turkish forward will have made a good first impression with the fans, scoring one and setting up Stylian Petrov for another as Bolton went on to win the game. Tuncay is certainly a player that allows Owen Coyle more flexibility and tactical variety.
Whilst his primary position is striker, he can also play on the wings or in the attacking midfielder role, linking the midfield and strikers. This is something that the Bolton squad is currently lacking, with two big front men to pick from up front, Tuncay could provide an excellent foil for either captain Kevin Davies or top scorer so far this season, Ivan Klasnic. He can also provide cover on the wings where the squad is currently lacking due to a long term injury to winger Chung-Yong Lee, which could save the club some money over the potential acquisition of Shaun Wright-Philips, whose wages currently appear to be a stumbling block.
As well as bringing tactical variety to the squad, Tuncay also brings a wealth of experience with him, having played for four European clubs prior to arriving at Bolton, including Fenerbache, Stoke City and Wolfsburg. Coyle will be hoping he can get the best out of a striker who only managed to muster four league appearances last year for Wolfsburg, and only five league goals in the 44 matches he played for Stoke. While the numbers seem to be against The Trotters new man, Tuncay is undoubtedly a gifted attacking player, and Coyle will be hoping that the free-flowing, attacking football that Bolton are playing will bring the best out of him.
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