SAM Allardyce today hailed the major style makeover Wanderers have undergone.
The Wanderers boss says both he and the club's reputations have been transformed this season.
Whether Wanderers stay up or not, Allardyce reckons he has built Bolton's most talented team for many years.
And he says the fans and the rest of the country have seen the change.
No longer are Wanderers regarded as Premiership small fry nor is Allardyce renowned for creating workmanlike sides.
Wanderers have re-invented themselves from workhorses to thoroughbreds and Allardyce is intent on continuing the progress next season.
"People used to talk about me as putting out hard working sides," he explained.
"But I think we have put that one to bed this season. People are coming to watch us now, not only to see results but also to be entertained.
"Last year we lived on working hard and getting a goal against the run of play. But that's not the case this year.
"I have had my players ridiculed in games this season but this is as good a team as this club has had for many years.
"Whether they stay up or not, they are still a very talented group of players."
Youri Djorkaeff began the style change when he arrived 14 games from the end of last season and the transformation from Premiership tractor to limousine continued with the introduction of the sumptious skills of Jay-Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo, Bernard Mendy and Florent Laville's quality at the back.
Allardyce hopes his sleek new look side will put the gloss on an entertaining season in the final four games of the season and then look to build on the success in the summer.
He knows he will once again have one of the smallest transfer budgets in the Premiership to work with and will have to live up to the nicknames other managers have given him.
"They call me Nicholas Parsons because of 'Sale Of The Century' and the players I bring in. They also call me the magician," he said.
"I don't think even Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger would find it easy to do what I do.
"They would not take my job on but they don't need to because they have proven themselves.
"But I don't think a lot of other managers have the same feeling for their clubs as I do.
"If we stay up then in the summer we will have to try and move forward and bring in more players and better players.
"That is what we have to do if we want to stay in the Premier League.
"I will say my usual piece to the board and try to move this club forward.
"When you work on limited budgets it becomes frustrating.
"You have to forget that because thinking about things like that only holds you back but if you are as impatient as me it gets on your nerves."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article