After a day of family fun and togetherness, we get back today to what`s truly important: football. We face a Newcastle team that started so well, yet has failed win in their last six games. Today may be our best chance so far this season to go two games undefeated, and if we win, we could find ourselves OUT of the relegation places.
Vital Quotes:
Coyle believes that next two home games are vital, and that we need to vastly improve our record at the Reebok. He told Sky, ‘If you took in isolation our away form, we’ve got nine points – that would seem to be a decent return. It’s got to be backed by our home form, which was outstanding last season, and if we can do that there’s no doubt we can climb the table. We’ve given ourselves a chance to move within five or six teams and we’ve set ourselves up with two difficult away games and we’ve come through them with a victory the other night. To get six points would make it very intriguing there at the bottom end of the table.’
Does anybody want to hear what Alan Pardew thinks? No, didn`t think so.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
David Wheater is back after suspension, but can you really drop Zat Knight after his performance on Tuesday? Yes, you can. Hopefully one of them will fancy a game at left-back, because I really don`t have to tell you who will be coming back in for the injured Alonso.
Player to watch: Ivan Klasnic
It`s a big game for Ivan today. He displayed something at Ewood Park that I`d never seen from him before: effort. I`d love to think that he`s realised he needs to do more than just finish the odd chance to merit a place in the team, and if he puts in a similar shift today, he`ll do more than worry a defence already shaken by the loss of Steven Taylor to injury.
Newcastle United Team News:
Cabaye is back for Newcastle after suspension, and I think he will cause us a plethora of problems in the middle of the park. Lovenkrands, Guthrie, Santon and Marveaux all miss the game through injury.
Player to watch: Demba Ba
Ba was arguably the signing of the summer. Free from West Ham, he has already scored a whopping thirteen goals, and hasn`t stopped despite Newcastle`s bad form of late. His first touch is phenomenal, his pace is electric, and his finishing is top-draw. We must stop him today to even have a chance.
Match Facts & Stats
Newcastle have won every game they have scored first in, whilst we have lost every game we`ve conceded first in.
Kevin Davies WILL make his 350th appearance for Bolton today. There is not a chance that Coyle will keep him out the team for more than one game, even if we win.
Match Prediction:
Sides always seem to end their winless runs against us. However, I think that if we have half the passion we showed in the first half of the Blackburn match, we may see a draw for the first time in ages. 1-1.
Next Fixtures:
Wolves at home on Saturday. Another game we really need to get maximum points from. E specially if we don`t turn up today.