Dougie Freedman wants to build the team around Chris Eagles

With six goals and five assists thus far this season, Chris Eagles has either scored or directly created more than half of Bolton Wanderers' 19 goals (58% to be exact). He has been Bolton's best performer, hands down, and probably the only reason this club isn't way worse off than it currently is.

As a result, it's hardly surprising that Dougie Freedman has admitted to being a major fan of his and has singled Eagles out as the man he wants to build his Bolton team around. Speaking in the Bolton News, Freedman said of Eagles:

"I think Chris Eagles is very crucial to this club. He is still young enough and I saw him in training and he has a spark in his eye that he wants to do well.

"I mention him because I believe if I can get him firing in the right way, he will be key to our success. He is one of many I look forward to working with.

"When you are in my business, you know how many hours sleep someone like Chris Eagles gets every night. When I study teams, I want to know exactly who they are, and we played Bolton a few weeks ago.

"I know the strengths and weaknesses and where I can improve them. I know the players quite well but don't yet know their characters individually and that is going to take a few weeks."

Dougie knows, though, that this squad isn't devoid of talent. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

"It is a squad that are underperforming; I spoke to Owen Coyle about it last week.

"He told me it was a great group that probably needs a different voice.