Bolton v Middlesbrough

Another year is over and a new one has begun, or at least it would have by the time Bolton take to the field to face Middlesbrough on New Years Day.

When you’ve scored three goals away from home, and against a side pushing for the title, you’d expect to be coming back with something wouldn’t you? Bolton didn’t on Sunday as they lost 5-3 at Leicester, if they score three against Middlesbrough tomorrow they’ll almost certainly win, won’t they….

Joe Mason’s loan ends after this game, so this could be his final game in Bolton colours before returning to Cardiff?

The expectancy from most team news is that Dougie Freedman isn’t going to change too much from the side that lost at Leicester, as he’s not suffered any setbacks personnel wise as such.

Middlesbrough miss the suspended Dean Whitehead but veteran ‘keeper Shay Given has extended his loan so will continue in goal.

Kei Kamara, Jason Steele and Stuart Parnaby are all out with injuries; Parnaby is also out with compassionate leave.

Bolton have the better record against Middlesbrough in overall games so will take that as a plus into the game but under new management Boro are improving. A positive stat to draw to is that the last four meetings between these sides have ended with the home side winning.

Queue a Bolton win?

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.

Please include your username so I can put that to it though.

To email your own unique article/blog for publishing ***CLICK HERE***