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Wigan v Bolton: From boos to cheers for Johan Elmander
Wigan 1, Bolton 1
HAVING been a target for the Bolton boo-boys, Johan Elmander’s transformation now sees his name chanted on the terraces.
It sums up the remarkable turnaround which also sees him naming his own price for a new contract.
Only now is Swedish striker Elmander, above, starting to live up to his £10 million club record fee 18 months after arriving in Lancashire from French club Toulouse.
He has already matched last season’s tally of five league goals and is showing why former manager Gary Megson paid £10 million for him.
Now the only worry for Owen Coyle is that he could lose his top scorer at the end of the season for nothing
Elmander, 29, said: “It’s nice to have the fans by me. I have always believed in myself, but this season has started well.”
Coyle said: “He came as a very good player. He never lost that, he just lost a bit of confidence and belief. He is now playing with a smile.”
Elmander bundled the ball home seven minutes after Hugo Rodallega’s strike as honours ended even in this feisty derby, with Wigan taking heart from a good display.