English pace inhibits skilful show - Stig

UNDER PRESSURE: Stig Tofting says fast pace affects skill level

STIG Tofting has exploded the myth that German football is technically superior to the English game.

The Denmark midfielder, who has spent a large slice of his career in the Bundesliga, says the pace of the game in the Premiership prevents the most skilful players displaying the skills of their contintental counterparts.

"I think the Germans look a little more technically strong," he acknowledges, "but I think maybe it's because they are not under the same pressure as players here.

"If you've got the ball in the midfield in Germany, you can turn around, you can take time ... but not here.

"Maybe some players are technically better in Germany but in England people are always attacking the ball."

The Denmark international, who won his 35th cap in the 1-0 friendly win in Saudi Arabia last week, enjoyed his first taste of Premiership football when he figured prominently in the 1-0 victory over West Ham.

He was impressed by Wanderers' team spirit and the warm welcome he received from the Reebok fans, who instantly took him to their hearts following his £250,000 switch from SV Hamburg.

"It's a very strong team which I think will stand together," said the 32-year-old midfield ace.

"I don't think we have players here who only play for themselves.

"It's a very good team in which everybody helps each other and I think we played a good game. Of course, West Ham had a lot of the play in the second half but that was because they were 1-0 behind. They had to do something.

"From what I know about English football, what I have watched on TV and from what I saw in the game last week I think we are capable of staying in the Premiership.

"It helped the team to get that win and gave us confidence to take into the next game. You could see it was a big win for the team because everybody was so happy in the dressing room after. It is difficult to get out of a period when you are not winning and you keep getting knocked down but getting that win will make the team stronger."

Tofting says the experiences of his fellow Danes - Per Frandsen, Michael Johansen, Claus Jensen, Bo Hansen and Henrik Pedersen - left him in no doubt that joining the Reebok would be a good career move. He also believes they have helped him strike up an instant rapport with the fans.

"I was surprised that they were so happy about me," he admitted. "Maybe in their eyes I fit into the team and I am a player they like. I can play some balls but my best thing is that I always try to do my best. If I play a bad ball, I always try to get it again to compensate.

"That is also the mentality of the English football fan.

"Having seen the other players from Denmark do so well here meant I had no problem about coming to Bolton. But we are all different players."

Tofting was not, of course, Sam Allardyce's last throw of the dice as Wanderers gear up for the big survival push.

While he was on his travels with Denmark, Wanderers pulled off one of the most audacious transfer coups of the season by tempting Youri Djorkaeff to the Reebok.

The Dane sees the Frenchman's arrival as a sign of the club's determination to retain their Premiership status.

"Bolton has signed a European Champion and a World Champion," he explains of the gifted attacker, "and you don't buy a guy like that if you don't care if you are going down or staying up.

"I think he is someone who can help the team."