Burnden Aces

Barber Backs Bolton To Bounce Back

• June 25, 2012 | By Chris Mann
• Short URL: http://b-ac.es/835a2

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• Adam Bogdan, Fred Barber, Jussi Jaaskelainen
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Fred Barber has put his faith in Adam Bogdan and believes Bolton have enough about them to mount a promotion challenge next season.

Barber left the Reebok Stadium at the weekend after 16 years at the club, during which he helped mould Jussi Jaaskelainen and Bogdan into big names in the top flight of English football.

The long-standing goalkeeping coach is yet to secure a deal elsewhere, but has been tipped to join Jussi Jaaskelainen at West Ham United.

Looking back on the progress that Bogdan has made during his five years with the Wanderers, Barber believes the gamble the club made by signing him has paid dividends.

"Adam has come on really well and he has a big future ahead of him," Barber told The Bolton News.

"Looking back to when he first signed, Sammy Lee sent him to me to evaluate on one of my pro training camps, and to be honest we took a chance. It wasn't clear cut.

"I don't want to sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet but I trust in my methods and I knew if we worked with Adam and he bought into what we were doing, he could make a goalkeeper. That happened quicker than I thought it would but I think it proves we were right.

"Now he's number one and I'd like to think he can help the club come straight back up. He was a pleasure to work with."

Barber has also paid tribute to the influence Jaaskelainen had on the young goalkeeper's career and pointed to the fact that the former Finland international never once complained after losing his previously unchallenged place at the end of last year.

"The professionalism he showed in helping Adam through shows you exactly what kind of a guy Jussi is," he said.

"He didn't complain, or start hammering on the manager's door. He just got on with it.

"Jussi can play until he's 40, and it's possible in the Premier League when you look at people like Brad Friedel.

"I personally think he was still one of the best around last season, even though injuries made it difficult for him.

"You certainly don't become a bad keeper overnight."

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