Bolton travel to the Hawthorns to play bottom club West Brom on Saturday with Gary Megson casting anxious glances over his shoulder, and it`s not just because he fears a following lynch mob. After successive defeats against Stoke and Fulham, the Whites are slipping back toward the relegation zone.
Vital Quotes:
‘There’s only six points between us and the European spots – it’s just so close.`
The Ginger One looks briefly upward, but then?
‘The relegation zone is probably from West Brom up to ourselves.`
Indeed.
West Brom Team News:
Abdoulaye Meite is missing because of a hamstring problem. This is bad news – for Bolton. Leon Barnett will also be absent because of a recurring knee injury.
Player to watch: Jonathan Greening
A rarity, in that he’s said good things about Gary Megson. Greening must fancy his chances against Bolton’s moribund midfield.
Bolton Team News:
Mark Davies will be missing for up to six weeks and Chris Basham is also a doubt. Gavin McCann is fit, which is a shame.
Player to watch: Kevin Davies
Will no doubt be disappointed not to be facing Meite and will also have referee Howard Webb to contend with who is blind to fouls committed against him. Come on Davo, you can do it. An England call awaits – at least the Sun thinks so.
Match Facts & Stats
In league games on West Brom turf, the home side have won 27 times to Bolton’s fifteen, with 22 draws. Bolton haven’t won at the Hawthorn’s since 2000 when they registered a 2-0 victory.
Ref Watch:
Howard Webb. Will probably book Kevin Davies in the tunnel. It’ll save time once the game starts.
Match Prediction:
If Bolton play as badly as they did against Fulham then it’s a nailed on win for West Brom and probably an emphatic one.
However, it’s probably not possible to perform to such a miserable level again, so a draw seems a likely result.
Next Fixtures:
Middlesbrough (H)