Barnsley v Bolton

It’s Christmas, those words are never quite the same unless they are screeched out Noddy Holder style are they! I’ll just assume you read them as such in your mind as you do…. Alas, I digress, it’s Christmas but there’s no rest for Bolton as they head off to Oakwell for a monster Boxing Day fixture.

I said that Charlton were a struggling side, much like Bolton, ahead of the previous game. You can’t really doubt either claim, there’s definitely no disputing that Barnsley are in big trouble as they’ll be propping up the Championship on Christmas Day.

We’ll look at the team news for the home side first, they’ll be without striker Marcus Tudgay as his time on loan from Forest has come to an abrupt end as he’ll be suspended. Likewise Jacob Mellis will also sit out the game for Barnsley the same reason.

Paddy McCourt’s hamstring problem leaves him a doubt, but by all accounts it’s hoped he’ll be fit in time to feature.

Positively for Dougie Freedman he doesn’t have any new injury or suspension worries to content with.

Knee injuries continue to keep out the trio of Stuart Holden, Joe Riley and Adam Bogdan of course though with Marc Tierney’s foot problem keeping him sidelined as well.

Barnsley’s form is slightly worse than Bolton’s last opponents, only marginally mind. They’ve won only once in nine games but Bolton have just the solitary win in five mind.

From the overall record of meetings it’s almost level across the board, however Bolton just shade it with a single victory more from the 37 previous games.

Uneaten in the last eight against Barnsley is positive, the last Barnsley victory coming in the 1997/98 season from the heady heights of the Premier League, leaves room for optimism that defeat can be avoided, and it must be avoided.

If Barnsley manage to take all three points then I think we can safely say that the rest of the season we’ll be a massive relegation battle without a doubt, a draw seems a best bet as that’s been the outcome in five of those last eight meetings….

Mr Ecky sends his best to the Vital Bolton community, he’s currently not well, he’ll be back as soon as possible and in the meantime, he’s got a staff writer to fill in for him.

If anyone has something to share in the meantime (this gives a genuine Bolton point of view from a Bolton fan!) feel free to fire an email through.

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