Coyle happy with Bolton's cutting edge

Pa
Tuesday 07 September 2010 15:12 BST
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Bolton boss Owen Coyle is pleased with the start his attack has made to the season and hopes to see it demonstrating a "cutting edge" for the rest of the campaign.

Wanderers today unveiled new forward Rodrigo Moreno, a transfer deadline-day loan capture from Benfica who will compete with club captain Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander, Ivan Klasnic and Robbie Blake for a place up front.

All four of that quartet have already got their names on the scoresheet this season, with Bolton undefeated after three Barclays Premier League games and through to the Carling Cup third round.

It has made for an encouraging opening to 2010-11 and now Moreno has further boosted the ranks, Coyle is looking for Wanderers to be clinical in front of goal so they can continue to build upon their early momentum.

"I would have been even more happy if we'd scored in the first game at home against Fulham (a 0-0 draw) because we had a number of opportunities, but I think the lads are working ever so hard, particularly in the forward area," Coyle said.

"The skipper has been magnificent for me from day one, Johan has shown that he is really up for the task, Ivan Klasnic has been injured but we have him to come back in and Robbie Blake has shown that he is prepared to step up and has that quality.

"Rodrigo will add to that, which is great, and hopefully we can now add that cutting edge.

"It is very early in the season, but we are pleased at this moment in time and we have to continue with that progress.

"That involves hard work, and when the chances come about, hopefully we'll have that cutting edge to take them."

Moreno, a Brazil-born Spain under-19 international, only joined Benfica in July on a five-year deal from Real Madrid but has moved to the Reebok Stadium to gain experience.

He is reunited with former Real team-mate Marcos Alonso, who Bolton signed earlier this summer, and having also brought in Klasnic, Blake and Martin Petrov over the last few months, Coyle feels he has another "flair" player to work with in Moreno.

"I'd actually tried to sign him from Real Madrid in the summer and ultimately the finance was far too much for us, so to now get him on loan, we are delighted," Coyle said.

"He is 19 years old, can play anywhere across the forward line, as a main striker or behind, and he can play in the wide areas.

"He has got pace, terrific ability and is naturally left-sided. He is just a real flair player as far as I am concerned.

"I think with Marcos here as well, who he played with at Real Madrid, it will help them both to settle into a new environment and culture, and hopefully now our football club has two very exciting young football players on our hands."

Moreno revealed that he had consulted defender Alonso before making the move to Bolton.

"Without a doubt, the conversations I had with Marcos had some influence on me coming here," Alonso said.

"We spoke a lot about the club, the management and the way people are and that was important for me.

"I want to repay the trust the management has shown in me and do my best to show my qualities for Bolton and their fans."

Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed that teenage forward Danny Ward has committed his future to the club by signing a new three-year contract at the Reebok Stadium.

Coyle today indicated that Ward, who impressed during a temporary stint with Swindon last term, is likely to go out on loan again in the next few weeks, with npower Championship side Coventry thought to be his most likely destination.

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