So it`s the middle of the night, some thirteen hours until the match. I`m worried about how deflated my mood will be at 5pm, and still reeling from the news that a fee has been agreed between us and Chelski for Gary Cahill. Personal terms are still ‘miles apart`, so hopefully negotiations can continue for another five weeks. I`m also very confused by claims from The Sun that Eddie Davies resigned from the club on Christmas Eve. There has been no official statement from the club, and I`m baffled by the implications for the club if this was the case.
Vital Quotes:
Owen Coyle has threatened to make big changes to his starting lineup after the confidence-crushing defeat against Newcastle. He told Sky, ‘It leaves a bad taste but it’s got to the point where the same people are not going to make the same mistakes. If I have got one or two coming back from injury and young kids ready to play then so be it. I have tried to play a few of them through it (bad form), I have tried to leave them out and then bring them back in. If they are not responding to it then the bottom line is I need players who are going to go in with the character and the resilience and the belief not to be making mistakes.`
I really hope he keeps his word and leaves Kevin Davies out entirely. He doesn`t have a lesson to learn, he just doesn`t have his ability anymore. It`s a shame as he has been such a wonderful servant to the club, but his ineffective substitute appearance on Monday surely has to be the final straw.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Darren Pratley is out with a virus. Is this the mysterious illness that has left him unable to run, dribble, pass, shoot and tackle all season? Only time will tell. Ricketts, Steinsson and Riley are all fit, so if that waste of space Belgian loanee gets a game I will be very unhappy. Coyle will also have to decide if our big man at the back has played his last game for us?..
Player to watch: Gary Cahill
Just watch him. Just enjoy this last ninety minutes. Win, lose, or (unlikely) draw, we should all take the time out to enjoy watch a player whose career we have seen blossom over the last four years. He should leave with our blessing, and be welcomed back to the Reebok (whenever it occurs, cups?) with a standing ovation. I wish him all the best, and hope he finally gets the recognition and success he truly deserves.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Team News:
Nenad Milijas was sent off at Arsenal on Tuesday so misses the game as the start of his three match ban. Zubar may miss the game through injury.
Player to watch: Steven Fletcher
This boy is on fire at the moment. He has had to fight his way ahead of Kevin Doyle and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake, but has surely proven his worth with his goal-scoring ability. I still have my doubts about his overall play in a workmanlike side such as Wolves that can ill afford any passengers (much like our Klasnic situation); but if he applies himself, he could end up at much bigger club come the summer.
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton are officially the worst team in the history of association football. I`m not sure how much of a fact this is, more of a general feeling. We`re not however; but we do have the delight of having the worst top-flight home record after nine games ever.
Match Prediction:
I’m not going to kid myself. We need something from this game, but I imagine we`re not going to get it. We`ll concede, then shut off, then concede again. And we won`t score. We`ll lose 0-2.
Next Fixtures:
A tricky away match at Goodison Park. I hope I`m wrong about today`s result, because we won`t be getting anything from our trip to Merseyside.