Hello all. A late night edition due to me working tomorrow morning, but I`ll get out in time to catch a train to watch my beloved one and only Wanderers play the other Wanderers?just wait a second, there are three Wanderers! Who is making these chants up?
Games against Wolves are to be savoured, if the rivalry hasn`t died down a little in recent years. It`s a strange one that, isn`t it? I grew up knowing to hate them, and despite the obvious big moments (McGinlay smacking Kelly – before my time), it isn`t entirely clear why we got so angry with them in the first place. Maybe it`s just because they stole a bit of our name.
Another reminder of how crazy the Championship is; Wolves are 18th, yet only one point above the relegation zone, and only nine points below us. In fact, there are only five points between Huddersfield in 22nd and Birmingham in 11th. We best make the playoffs, otherwise we could get relegated!
Vital Quotes:
Dougie thinks all is going well, and despite me thinking that we were extremely poor and lucky against Huddersfield, I trust his judgement and generally agree with him. He told the club`s official website:
‘We have a good balance right now at the club. We broke at the right time on Tuesday night and we put in a strong performance against Huddersfield Town. We are not far away from having the type of performance where it is the difference between attack and defence and everything goes in one. Watching the last dozen games we have played, you can see the direction in which the club heading.’
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Keith Andrews and Tyrone Mears are still injured, but I think that Sam Ricketts and Craig Davies should be back in the squad after serving their respective suspensions for their red cards against Charlton. Matt Mills is back fit, but I doubt he`ll start after the strong partnership of Knight and Dawson in recent weeks.
Player to watch: David Ngog
He needs a good game after his horror show on Tuesday. He was woeful; badly controlling the ball time and time again, and skying a wonderful chance in the first half. We could do with him firing on all cylinders in the final weeks, and hopefully he`ll be ready to make amends. Needs to get back to where he was a couple of months ago.
Wolves Team News:
The Right Honourable David Davis MP is fit after a groin strain, as is Bjorn Sigurdarson after a spell out with illness. Good news for us is that Sylvain Ebanks-Blake has broken his leg. Isn`t scoring with the regularity of previous Championship campaigns, but is up there with the best on his day, so it`ll be nice not to have to face him.
Player to watch: A Forgotten Man
I have been surprised by Jamie O`Hara`s Wolves career. A flair player in a very workmanlike side, he was unable to produce the spark to keep Wolves in the top division. He has also failed to hit the headlines in the second tier so far. However, I remember from his early days at Tottenham that he is capable of producing quality football; I just hope not against us!
Match Facts & Stats
We are looking to win our seventh consecutive home match. What a lovely stat to write! We in fact have the third best home record in the league, behind Cardiff and Palace (thanks for robmoss2k for that statistic!).
Match Prediction:
I think we`ll win again, and hopefully when Leicester play Brighton tomorrow, they both lose. Wishful thinking?
Next Fixtures:
A trip to Bristol City next Saturday, followed by a midweek game at the King Power Stadium, which could have massive implications on where we finish. All cup finals as we head in the final stages of the season. COYWM!!