Match Preview

Bolton Wanderers: New Year. New Start.

|
Image for Bolton Wanderers: New Year. New Start.

It has been brought to my attention that when Al did the preview for the first game against Leeds this season, it was all doom and gloom and woe is me.

Well, doom and gloom no more my friend. Here we are. New Year. New Hope. New pair of slippers that granny bought you for Christmas. A clean slate, a new broom.

We’ve had false dawns before but, when even Darren Pratley not only has a good game but is man of the match, you get the inkling that it may have have just turned a corner and put a light at the end of the tunnel.

I believe my friends, I believe. Hallelujah brothers and sisters. Cast out the non believers and come join me in this warm glow.

Vital Quotes:

I honestly believe we have the quality here but it is a very difficult time for the club, coming down from the Premiership with a lot of weight on their shoulders. It is going to take time, the right passing, the right movement, to get results.’ St Dougie will lead his adopted people to the promised land, my children.

For many years I`ve thought he is a gutter-type of boy and I was going to call him a sewer rat but that might be insulting the sewer rats. I think he`s the lowest of the low.’ The Leeds manager talking about El Hadji Doiuf less than two years ago. Warnock. Madder than Holloway.

Leeds United Team News:

Warnock expects the sewer rat to be back in contention after missing the defeat at Hull at the weekend. He also expects to welcome back Luciano Becchio and Jerome Thomas who were also out of the starting line up, although Lee Peltier remains a doubt. Andy White is suspended whilst Leigh Bromby and Ramon Nunez are long term injury doubts.

Player to watch: El Hadji Diouf

Love him or hate him, and the majoroty of Bolton fans still love hi, Diouf was part of the team that took the Premier League and gave it a shake and for that, and for being pretty much unmissable, he won’t be forgotten. He played more games for Bolton than he has for any other team and whilst he may no longer spit on you, there is no denying that he can still turn it on. And tomorrow, he will have the impetus to do just that.

Bolton Wanderers Team News:

Yeah. I was a bit quick off the mark on Saturday with the team news. However, for today I have it on good authority that N’Gog and Afobe are both struggling with injury. What this means for Sordell is unknown at this time.

Player to watch: Darren Pratley

Go on then. Show us you can do it two games in a row. I dare ya.

Match Facts & Stats

Bolton and Leeds have met each other fifty three times in the league, with Bolton holding a 23-19 lead. When travelling down the M62, or whatever passed for it before they built it around that farmhouse, we are losing 13-7.

Bolton’s leading scorer in the fixture is Sir Nat with seven between 1956 and 1958. In the second tier it is tied between Billy Hughes, who scored twice in 1908, and SKD, who scored twice in October. Bolton and Leeds have only met each other seven times in the second tier.

The last time Bolton visited Elland Road was back in 2003, SKD and Stelios scoring in a 2-0 victory.

Match Prediction:

New Year, same defence. 2-1 to the away side.

Next Fixtures:

A break from the league as Sunderland come to T’Reebok on Saturday in the FA Cup before Millwall visit the weekend after.

Share this article

From the North, In the North.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *