Gudjohnsen offers his thoughts to the club following his first goal since his return to Macron Stadium against Leeds United
Eidur Gudjohnsen was delighted to open his Bolton Wanderers account for the season against Leeds United on Saturday, but admitted his disappointment that Wanderers left the game with a solitary point.
Notching for the first time since his return to the club – almost 15 years on from his last strike for the Whites – Gudjohnsen cancelled out Rodolph Austin’s early spot-kick to earn Bolton a share of the spoils against Neil Redfearn’s side.
Speaking to bwfc.co.uk following the final whistle against the Elland Road outfit, the Icelander explained that the final result at Macron Stadium undoubtedly took the gloss off his achievement somewhat.
“It is special in a sense that it is great to get on the scoresheet and to level the game, but it would have been much sweeter if we’d got the three points because that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
“It was a great feeling though, putting the ball in the net - I’ve taken a few penalties in my time at various clubs where I’ve been at - whether it’s been during games or penalty shoot-outs.
“I’ve always been very confident in my penalty taking. I just try and be fearless really.”
He continued: “We are disappointed though, because the game was a big opportunity for us to get back on track and to get three points, especially playing at home.
“I think the feeling in the dressing room is that we can play better than what we did against Leeds. I think we got caught up in the battle and in a bit of a fight rather than getting the ball down and playing at times.
“Without making excuses, the conditions probably weren’t the greatest – the wind played its part and the pitch was quite dry, so it was hard to get the ball down and find a good pace of passing, but we know that we can do better.
“We invited their opening goal a little bit in all honesty and we didn’t start the game well enough, and when you don’t start well you will get punished – at this level, you get punished if you’re not on it from the first minute to the last.
“All in all, it was a bit of stalemate and a tale of two penalties over the 90 minutes and we leave with a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.”
Figuring for the sixth time since re-joining Wanderers last month, the striker confessed that he has settled back into life at the club with ease and has every hope for a successful remainder of the campaign.
“I’m loving every minute of being back at the club and I’m pleasantly surprised how I feel in myself fitness wise,” said the forward.
“In my performances up to now, I’ve felt great and I feel stronger by the week and I’m sure that by the end of the season, I’ll be even fitter and stronger and hopefully in the meantime I’ll be able to help us pick up points.”