Once bitten, twice shy for Grzegorz Rasiak in the big leagues?
Bryn Lennon / Getty Images
Grzegorz Rasiak signs for Bolton Wanderers in January 2008
Every professional footballer's dream must be to play at the very highest level for both club and country but when Bolton Wanderers and Gary Megson came calling to St. Mary's to offer a second chance at the big time to Grzegorz Rasiak he could be forgiven for thinking twice about disrupting his own personal status quo.
The Polish striker had built a steady reputation as a skilful if not prolific forward player for Derby County before a last minute transfer deadline day transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in August 2005. being described by Spurs manager Martin Jol as "a tall target man, a hard-working, honest player with a good goal scoring record" wasn't the worst start to his career in the Premier League but it was damning with faint praise given the lowly position he occupied on Spurs' wanted list that summer.
A few lacklustre performances led to a quick departure to Southampton where Rasiak was able to pick up where he left off at Derby, namely scoring and creating goals in the Championship, the Premier League obviously a step too far for his talents. Now aged 29 and with his mentor George Burley having left Southampton it looks like Rasiak is ready for one last push for Premier League respectability. Seeing as he's been signed to replace the departing Nicolas Anelka after several more of Bolton's top targets didn't materialise I fear a little bit of history repeating itself for Grzegorz and, whether back with Southampton after his loan ends, or with Bolton in the Championship next season I can't see Rasiak establishing himself as a top level striker this time either.
The Polish striker had built a steady reputation as a skilful if not prolific forward player for Derby County before a last minute transfer deadline day transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in August 2005. being described by Spurs manager Martin Jol as "a tall target man, a hard-working, honest player with a good goal scoring record" wasn't the worst start to his career in the Premier League but it was damning with faint praise given the lowly position he occupied on Spurs' wanted list that summer.
A few lacklustre performances led to a quick departure to Southampton where Rasiak was able to pick up where he left off at Derby, namely scoring and creating goals in the Championship, the Premier League obviously a step too far for his talents. Now aged 29 and with his mentor George Burley having left Southampton it looks like Rasiak is ready for one last push for Premier League respectability. Seeing as he's been signed to replace the departing Nicolas Anelka after several more of Bolton's top targets didn't materialise I fear a little bit of history repeating itself for Grzegorz and, whether back with Southampton after his loan ends, or with Bolton in the Championship next season I can't see Rasiak establishing himself as a top level striker this time either.