Bolton travel to their bi-annual trip to The Hawthorns with both teams basking in the glory of good results the previous weekend. One nameless player also returns to the club he couldn’t get out of quicker. West Brom fans react with stilted apathy.
Vital Quotes:
‘We`ve been playing at a very high standard, not only last weekend but prior to that as well. The great thing was how positive we were in all those games and we`ll have to take that to West Brom because we know it will be a tough game and that they are absolutely flying. But we feel that if we play to our maximum, it`s a game we can achieve points from.’ St Owen does his weekly bigging up but then bringing down of the opposition.
‘They look a decent side. if you come up, you can play good football but you must also defend.’ Samantha does the same.
‘They no give me contract. Me leave.‘. Paul Robinson answers his critics who say he engineered a move to Bolton.
‘They can go very direct, as they have been for many years. They`re trying to mix it up and I think Owen Coyle has said that. It will take time for the club to match his philosophy, as happens when you go to a club who are used to something different.’ Robbie Di Matteo basically repeats what every opposition manager has said this season.
West Bromwich Albion Team News:
According to Vital Albion:
‘Marek Cech, Joe Mattock and Ishmael Miller are all still out but Roman Bednar is available again. Graham Dorrans will be hoping to force his way back into the first team but DiMatteo will probably stick with the team that served him so well last week.’
Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie
He’s knocking in the goals at the moment but it is his overall play that will cause the Bolton defence problems. Like a cut price Nani, he can run at players and give them headaches with his dribbling. Hopefully the Bolton defence will be able to deal with him better than they dealt with Nani last weekend.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Barring the long termers, it is pretty much a clean bill of health for St Owen Coyle, which leaves him with a difficult choice in central defence. Either current England international Gary ‘Gaz’ Cahill or the man who has stepped in so well for him Samuel Ricketts. Nasty.
Player to watch: Stuart Holden
Having just signed a new contract, the new golden boy of the midfield will be hoping to continue his great start to the season. His passing certainly has the ability to cause problems to a Baggies defence that has let in eleven goals this season. Links up well with Samantha too.
Match Facts & Stats
Of the 130 games played between the clubs, T’Wanderers hold a 46-42 advantage.
At West Brom, Bolton have done better than at some away grounds, winning 15 and drawing 23.
Way back in the day, David Jack scored more goals than any other Wanderers player in the fixture and his figure of nine still stands today.
Ref Watch:
Peter Walton may be knocking on but he’s still fit enough to run around a Premier League pitch. And if you’re fit enough you’re young enough. Apparently.
His one Premier League game this season was Stretford’s 2-2 draw at Fulham. His last Bolton game was the 4-0 kicking we got from Spurs in the FA Cup replay last season.
Match Prediction:
I know you’ve heard it before but here it is again. 2-0 to Bolton, because one day that sod is going to come in.
Next Fixtures:
We take a breather for the international break before Stoke come to try and rough us up in a fortnight.