There has been much talk  in English soccer in recent weeks about the expansion of the Big Four.

The elite group of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, which has dominated the Barclays  Premier League in recent seasons, is under serious threat from unwanted newcomers — “unwanted”, at least  as far as those four great clubs are concerned.

Tottenham Hotspur broke into the top four last season and claimed a place in the UEFA Champions League for  the fi rst time in the competition’s history.

This campaign has already seen some unusual suspects emerging to contest the top spots and threaten the  “quadropoly”.

Spurs are again in the mix, and Manchester City, after some truly spectacular spending, are currently ensconced (and looking fairly comfortable) in fourth.

But what of Bolton Wanderers, one place and only three points be-hind the Citizens?

Following Bolton’s 5-1 demolition of Newcastle over the weekend, they moved into the top four — albeit temporarily. Could there be a prospect of seeing Real Madrid at the Reebok Stadium next season?

If the fi rst third of this Barclays Premier League season has taught us anything, it’s that “anything” is possible,  and any team is capable of beating any other on any given day.

Just ask Sunderland, who went to Stamford Bridge the previous weekend and beat champions Chelsea 3-0.

This campaign is proving to be one of the most open and fascinating in many years, and although Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal currently occupy the top three positions, there are several clubs hovering like  expectant vultures in the hope of some high quality carrion.

While Bolton’s manager Owen Coyle continues to dismiss his side’s European aspirations as “fanciful”, no club  right now is relishing a match against the Trotters.

In previous seasons this would have been because a physical battle would almost invariably have ensued.

Bolton under Sam Allardyce were tough tackling, direct, and, let’s be honest, rarely a joy to behold, and his  successors Sammy Lee and Gary Megson seemed happy enough to continue the tradition.

Bolton played to their strengths, and one of them was their strength.

They were diffi cult to match up against, often got good results, but weren’t receiving too many prizes for the  quality of their soccer.

Owen Coyle, since taking over in January 2010, is slowly but surely creating a team in his own image, and he is  a man who likes attractive football and doesn’t see that this is necessarily antithetical to the principles of  passion and aggression on the fi eld.

It’s a work in progress, as Coyle himself freely admits. He continues to play down the club’s prospects of making it into European competition.

“We’re not at a level where we can click our fi ngers and think everything will fall into place,” he said after the Newcastle match.

There’s little doubt that many Premiership teams are beginning to take Bolton Wanderers very seriously indeed.

What may count against them as the season progresses is a small squad with an attendant lack of strength in depth.

While champions Chelsea boast international class cover in virtually every position, Coyle points to his squad of about 20 players, several of whom have yet to play for their national sides.

“We have to come to every game and be prepared to work our socks off,” said Coyle, and it’s clear that the  Scotsman is drawing every ounce of commitment and enthusiasm from his players, not to mention getting their  more creative juices fl owing when circumstances allow.

With a relatively low outlay on new players in recent seasons — compared to some of the wealthier clubs — the neutrals are loving the fact that Bolton are competing with the big boys, and even threatening to spoil the party for the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham.

How far can they go? Only time will tell, but it’s clear that Bolton have been a breath of fresh air in a season that has already witnessed its fair share of healthy gusts.

Catch Andrew Leci on Monday Night Verdict every Monday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

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