A late afternoon to all you Vital Bolton readers. Let`s keep this brief, with the game only a couple of hours away. We probably should`ve wrapped this up in the first game, but after a spirited fightback, the Mackems look like favourites for the replay down their way.
Douglas revealed in his press conference that he intends to have both Holden and Vela in the squad. Exciting!!!
He told the club website: “Josh and Stuart will be involved tomorrow night. I don`t know if they`ll play but they`ll be in the squad. I think the two have proved their fitness in the last three or four weeks. It`s very difficult for Stuart in particular. We`ve got to be very careful. With Josh it`s a little bit easier as he`s only had three or four months out. They`re two good players to have around the squad again.”
I expect that they both will be on the bench, and will play very minor roles. A late substitute appearance if the game is already lost is probably all we could really hope for Stu. I`d be very surprised if he started. Not that I wouldn`t be giddy like a schoolgirl over the latest Smash Hits magazine. That`s still a thing, right?
Sunderland`s new signing, Alfred N’Diaye, is ineligible for the match because he wasn`t registered by the club before the initial cup tie. I wasn`t aware that was a rule, and am surprised that something that appears so archaic is still around. Anyway, good for us. Rose and Cuellar are also out with hamstrings suffered when playing in the 2-2 draw against us.
I hope you realise why I think Titus is so key. He is truly a shocking defender, and despite a couple of solid years at Wigan, I cannot see why the calamity-happy stopper is still plying his trade in the top division. He makes Zat Knight on a bad day look like Carlos Puyol. If he plays, we`ve got a much better chance of nicking it, especially if he can make mistakes like he did in the first match.
As mentioned above, Holden and Vela in. Wheater is still a bit far behind, and hasn`t made an appearance for the reserves yet, despite being back to full first team training. Oh, and the rule I mentioned earlier? It stops Craig Davies playing.
He was my key man at the weekend and is my key man today. He didn`t get too long against Millwall, but he performed well enough in my eyes to give him a run out from the start. I`m hoping this Twitter ban has been partnered with a metaphorical clip round the head. He appears, at least, to be giving his all when he gets onto the pitch, and that`s all we can really hope for.
Sunderland have got past us five out of the six times we`ve been drawn against them in the cup. Lets change that, ok?
If they put out a full side; we`re out. If they decide to rest a few; we have a chance. I expect us to play a full team, and make a good go of it.
Palace away this weekend, before Peterborough visit the Reebok the week after. COYWM!!!