Lee Enjoying First Team Role

Sammy Lee speaks to the official website after working with the senior squad for three full training sessions

Sammy Lee has revealed that he is relishing the opportunity to once again work with the Bolton Wanderers senior squad.

The 53-year-old, along with Jimmy Phillips, has been handed the position of overseeing first team affairs in the interim period until the appointment of the next permanent manager at the club.

Lee was assistant boss at Bolton for 20 months before stepping-up to take over managerial responsibilities for a short period of time in April 2007.

He returned to the club earlier this year to take up a coaching position in the academy, and he admits that he is enjoying life back with Wanderers – a club he also represented at the end of his playing career.

Lee said: “These last few days have been fantastic, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time since I have been back here, if I’m being honest.

"When Jimmy and I were asked to do it, we didn’t give it a second thought. I will do whatever I can for the football club.

"The boys have been spot on. They have been focused and I have been very pleased with their application. We know there is a lot of quality in that dressing room.

“We have a game-plan which we want to impose on whoever we play, but in order to do so you have to have the basics right. 

“We have been working hard on that and have stripped things back.”

Lee is set to once again sit in the Reebok Stadium dugout on Saturday afternoon when Bristol City when make their first visit to Bolton since April 1999.

Hot on the heels of the weekend fixture are trips to Wolves and Middlesbrough, and although Lee is taking things day-by-day and game-by-game, he believes there is a real opportunity to put points on the board.

He explained: “People say the amount of games is a hindrance in this league, but I see it as a joy.

“It’s a very demanding league but there are three games in quick succession. If we get a good points tally out of those we are back in the mix, and that is what we are looking for.

“People say you are only as good as your last game, but you are not. You are only as good as your next game and that is Bristol City at home where everyone will hopefully be up and ready to go.

“We need the 12th man at the Reebok on Saturday - the fans can make such a difference. They need to inspire us but we also need to inspire them from the pitch too. 

"Hopefully we can both do it together and get the right result.”

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