MICHAEL Ricketts is letting down the club and the fans, according to former Wanderers goalscoring heroes John McGinlay and Andy Walker writes Bolton Evening News Chief Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock
The legendary strike pairing, who scored the goals which started Wanderers' resurgence a decade ago, accused Ricketts of lacking commitment to the club.
Instead of wanting to leave, they believe he should be looking to pay back Wanderers' investment and faith in him by performing and scoring consistently for two more years.
Ricketts has upset fans by asking for a transfer at a time when the club is fighting for its Premiership life and desperate for goals. Even though he has only scored four times from open play in a disappointing season, the former Walsall striker represents the best chance Wanderers have of finding the net.
The supporters greeted his arrival on the pitch at Newcastle United on Wednesday night with a hail of boos, a reaction McGinlay and Walker said he deserved. "Michael Ricketts has got a lot of learning to do," said Walker. "He had a fantastic first season with Bolton and you cannot criticise him for cashing in on it, but he owes Bolton a better attitude than the one he is showing."
McGinlay accused Ricketts of putting himself before the club. "Nobody is bigger than the club. He has made it plain he doesn't want to be here and the quicker it can be sorted out the better," he said.
"Bolton have put a lot of time and effort into him and he owes them another two years of hard work and consistently good performances.
"Instead of wanting to go now he should be looking to move to a better level as a player with Bolton.
"He should work his socks off. If he gave Bolton two good years and then moved on, nobody could argue with him. Players like Eidur Gudjohnsen and Claus Jensen did it that way and nobody had any complaints.
"They get a great reception from the Bolton fans and you ask yourself why. It's because they produced the goods week in week out and are well thought of for it. That won't be the case with Michael Ricketts."
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