I feel as if I was here for several years because of the fans and also because I’ve been

“I feel as if I was here for several years because of the fans and also because I’ve been helped so well by my team-mates, by the coaches and the manager, everybody here I came here just because I wanted to play football. It’s something important for me and I didn’t expect such a thing. It’s something incredible.”Mboma made his debut in the 1-0 home defeat by Newcastle on February 24, but scored in his first start at White Hart Lane on Saturday and kept his place for the game with Bolton. While he feels that he has more to give, he is satisfied with his early contribution. “It’s not bad for my first three games,” the former Paris St-Germain and Cagliari striker said. “Finally, we took three points, and that was the most important thing for me.”I’m playing with confidence and I think the best is yet to come from me. It’s the best beginning I’ve had, except for maybe Japan, but that’s a different level.

I’ve also played in France and Italy, and the beginning was not as good as now. Many people told me, many friends, that this is probably the best league I can play in.”Despite the win over Bolton, Sunderland remain far from safe, and with trips to Chelsea and Arsenal to come later this month, there is still plenty to be done. But the importance of that first home win of the year cannot be under-estimated.”It was important because we’re fighting against relegation,” Mboma said “It was important because Bolton also needed three points. There are some important games in March, going to London twice, and we need to get outside this zone as soon as possible.”But if the Wearsiders’ situation is still slightly uncomfortable, Bolton are facing an increasingly tough climb away from trouble, and the gradient became steeper on Tuesday when Mike Whitlow and Michael Ricketts both picked up injuries.

Whitlow suffered a suspected broken rib while Ricketts damaged a knee.Reid, a former Bolton player, is confident that Wanderers can escape. “If they can get Ricketts fit and scoring and Dean Holdsworth and Youri Djorkaeff scoring, I think they’ll be all right,” he said “I think they’ve got enough Sam’s got to buy a goal somewhere. The job he’s done has been fantastic and he’ll see it through.”The Wanderers manager is hopeful both Ricketts and Whitlow will be available for the visit of Derby to the Reebok Stadium on March 16. “We’ve got a little bit of a breather with no game this week because of the cup, and hopefully that will be enough time for those two players and the other ones to get fit,” Allardyce said.. Wolves extended their lead to three points at the top of the First Division – but their attempt to equal the Molineux club’s record for consecutive league wins was foiled after they had gone in front twice last night at the City Ground, where Forest made the most of depleted resources to claim a worthy point. Harewood and Jack Lester had opportunities in the closing minutes, leaving Jones unsure whether his team had dropped two points or gained one.Injuries and suspensions had cut savagely into Hart’s squad and the line-up he put out had an average age of 22.

Kevin Dawson was recalled for a first appearance in 18 months alongside David Prutton, the England Under-21 midfielder, who had to stand in at centre-back after last weekend’s pairing both cried off injured.Wolves went ahead after 10 minutes, the nippy striker Sturridge darting into the Forest penalty area to finish off a slick move involving Nathan Blake and Mohamed Camara in the confident manner to which Wolves fans have grown accustomed since the Leicester City discard moved to Molineux. The goal was his 18th in only 20 matches.It provided justice of sorts after Sturridge had been denied what seemed a legitimate score for offside, despite complaints that Prutton had played the Wolves man onside. However, the rapid rush of goals threatened by this opening failed to come, the league leaders struggling to retain possession against a home side at least not short on enthusiasm.Darren Ward pulled off the best save of the opening 45 minutes to deny Blake, but had Forest equalised before half-time it would not have been against the run of play. In fact, in a frenetic second half, Forest looked the better side.Gray was the first to reward their endeavour, side-footing home his first goal in three and a half years at the club after Harewood’s back-heel had set up Lester to cross low from the left.