FOUR-GOAL supersub Michael Ricketts paid tribute today to Gareth Farrelly, one of the unsung heroes of Wanderers' barnstorming start to the season.

Being a Birmingham supporter, Ricketts could never really enjoy Farrelly's performances for arch-rivals Aston Villa, but he admired them.

Now he's delighted to be profiting from the promptings of the Dubliner who came to Bolton via a £900,000 transfer to Everton.

"Gareth's flying at the moment," he said after grabbing the glory with an awe-inspiring double in the 3-2 win at Huddersfield.

"I believe he was in and out last season, from what people tell me, but every time I've seen him play I've rated him very highly.

"As a Birmingham lad I saw him playing for Aston Villa. You don't play for them and for the Republic of Ireland without being a quality player.

"Watching him and playing alongside him now, I know he is quality."

The accolade came at the end of a difficult week, emotionally and physically, for the 25-year-old Irishman, who returned after missing the Macclesfield Worthington Cup defeat to continue in the rich vein of form he has shown in the opening weeks of the season.

"I had a bit of the flu at the beginning of the week," he explained, "and I buried my godfather on Thursday. Coming so close to my dad's death (Farrelly's father died last November just days after he joined Wanderers from Everton) it was hard for the family). "But it was nice to get the win and I'm sure the folks will enjoy reading about it."

Farrelly is happy to share in the accolades after an indifferent first season at the Reebok but insists that Wanderers' impressive start - four successive victories following their opening day draw against Burnley - has been a triumph for teamwork.

"Everybody is taking the credit. It's the old cliche but there's a good spirit among the lads and I'm feeling part of that, which is something I haven't had before at any great level," he added.

"I've got my fitness levels up thanks to the work I've been doing with Ed Baranowski (Wanderers' freelance fitness trainer) and I'm happy with the way things are going.

"But it's not just about me. To be honest I knew about Michael Ricketts from last year to know what to expect from him but, in fairness, everybody's doing the business.

"Bo Hansen's doing well, Isaiah Rankin's doing really well and Deano (Holdsworth) will get stronger and stronger with more games because he missed out on most of the close season."