Clough. Derby. Two words that can send you back to the smoke filled seventies quicker than hearing Life on Mars. A time when Derby County bestrode that English league and no one had a clue how to stop them. Then Cloughie got on the wrong side of someone, called a bluff and lost.
Nearly forty years later his son Nigel is manager of the club and, whilst having nowhere near the charisma of his father, has managed to first steady and then improve a team that looked like they were about to dive down the leagues. They didn’t pull up any trees last season, that much is true. But they held a safe middle table position and Clough will want to be improving on that this season.
As for Bolton, after Saturday’s defeat brought out the usual fan v fan infighting that goes with any result that isn’t a win these days, Owen Coyle will just be wanting a better result. To do this, he has to consider making changes, some more radical than others. The midfield needs a serious looking at, with none of the four acquitting themselves well against Burnley. But, just as importantly, the defence needs to shape up, with all four members of the back line putting in abject displays. Up front, once again it seems that SKD has come into the season desperately out of form and another year older, as he was dominated by the Burnley defence. Perm any one from the eleven who underperformed on Saturday and no one will give you and argument. This is not the time to be letting players make up for what happened three days ago and some blunt decisions need to be made.
Whether we have the manager to do that, we will find out at about seven o’clock this evening.
Vital Quotes:
‘We have to be ready for how tough and demanding the Championship is and ready for how hard teams work. If we match that, then we believe we have enough quality to win these games. Derby are a good side with some terrific players, as they`ve shown in the opening games of the season.‘ Quality, good side and terrific players. There are times when you feel that they could just send a holograph of OC out to the pre match pressers, quoting verbatim past press conderences.
‘Bolton will be very dangerous opponents, there`s no doubt about that. There will be an element of a backlash about their side, not only from Saturday`s game at Burnley but also coming down from the Premier League. Having been relegated, they will want to set the tone for the season at home so it`s down to us to deny them that and try and get something from the game. When you look at their bench from the weekend, they have strength in-depth and experience as well so that certainly is a reminder of the quality they have.‘ Maybe I was wrong about Nigel Clough, as he certainly has his father’s talent for taking the mick.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
No new injuries to report from Saturday’s game, other than a lot of bruised prides.
Player to watch: Owen Coyle
There is a lot of pressure on the manager at the moment as more and more fans begin to doubt whether or not he is the right man for the job. The lack of urgency on Saturday was one of the more worrying aspects of the defeat. How he sets his team out, who he puts in the team and how they react to Saturday will be keenly viewed. A defeat and those voices will grow louder. Points have to be gained tonight and all eyes will be on the manager, rather than the players.
I know that effectively, the eyes will be on the players, but you know what I mean.
Derby County Team News:
Connor Sammon has signed from The Pies and will be looking to soar tonight. That’s soar, not score. He may also be looking to score. It’s a play on words. Oh, forget it.
According to their website, Derby will be missing James Bailey, Mark O’Brien and the club captain Shaun Barker.
Player to watch: Theo Robinson
Hasn’t scored this season so far, but was Derby’s joint leading scorer last season. According to Wikipedia, he is known as ‘Deadly Theo’, which I suppose is as good a nickname as any. He’s small, something our defence don’t like, and quick, something our defence don’t like. He can probably beat them in the air as well.
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton and Derby have met one hundred and fourteen times in the league over the years and The Rams hold a clear 57-39 lead. At Pikes/Burnden/Reebok it is 31-20 to Bolton, showing that Derby like a visit to our little part of Lancashire.
Bolton’s leading scorer in the league is Sir Nat, with nine. In the second tier, Frannie Lee, Brian Bromley, John Byrom, Roy Greaves and Chris Thompson have all scored three.
The last time the clubs met was in a Premier League game at The Reebok in 2008, Stelios scoring the only goal.
Ref Watch:
Craig Pawson. I take it that we’re going to have to get used to some new referees this season and first up is Mr Pawson. Obviously, he has never refereed a Bolton game so we’ll just have to give you what we know. He gave out four yellows on Saturday in the game between Leicester and Peterborough and last season his total card count was one hundred and six yellows and nine reds over thirty five games, including the League Two play off final. He did take charge of two Derby games, their 3-1 win over Portsmouth in October and their 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in April, booking Jason Shackell both times. Jason Shackell played for Burnley on Saturday, so make some kind of link from that if you want.
Match Prediction:
Right, I’ve gone right off our defence, they cost me nothing but money. So, on the advice of Mrs X, we are going for 2-1, until the back four start behaving themselves.
Next Fixtures:
Forest, on Sky, at home, on Friday. ‘Friday night, Sky Sports 2, Friday nights, Sky Sports 2’ repeat to fade.