Bolton boss Owen Coyle felt the performance by Johan Elmander against Fulham is proof his potential is finally showing. The Sweden international has had a tough time justifying the fee - believed to be around £10million - which Wanderers paid to sign him in the summer of 2008, scoring only eight times in the Barclays Premier League since then.
But Elmander capped a decent pre-season with a goal in Bolton's final friendly against Osasuna just over a week ago and Coyle believes the 29-year-old is finally starting to prove his worth.
"I thought Elmander was outstanding and deserved a goal, but all credit to Stockdale, the biggest compliment I can pay him is that Schwarzer wasn't missed," Coyle said.
"I have always had belief in him. He came with a big price tag and a big reputation, and the only person who will change anybody's mind about him is Johan.
"I can certainly try and impart the knowledge and wisdom that I have picked up over the years, and I can try and give him confidence because I have belief in him as a manager, and I've shown that by picking him.
"But really, he's followed on from his performance against Osasuna. Then he went away on the international break so I was genuinely worried that he wouldn't be fresh.
"But I gave him the nod again and he was outstanding, not just in terms of his goal efforts, but his work rate in general for the team."
