Tomorrow`s game against QPR at the Reebok Stadium will be my first match. It will be the first time I watch the Whites in my current state of mind. My week has had the ups and downs of a heart monitor machine, regarding my football team. From feeling completely disconnected, lost and demoralised I`ve reconnected with my football club by seeing it for what it is. I`ve had to strip the game and bravado of the modern phenomena to it`s fundamentals. The way I was obsessing about the Wanderers was making me ill?physically and mentally. I`m going to try and enjoy the game of football first and revel in the win, or curse the defeat, later. But I will not linger on the defeat, nor will I prematurely raise hope of a solitary victory. Like the animal kingdom does; I will live in the moment. How long I remain in this state after the final whistle remains to be seen.
I know that wasn`t much of a match preview, I`m sorry. I will try to make up for the lack of content in the following sections.
Vital Quotes:
‘Saturday will be a fitting afternoon with the unveiling of the Nat Lofthouse statue. Could he play in the modern day? Of course. QPR have got a very experienced squad. I don’t look too much into expectations, but we know it’s going to be a tough game.’ I bet Freedman wished he had The Lion Of Vienna for tomorrow’s clash. I wonder how much he’d be worth?
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Already, our manager is bemoaning his luck in regards to injuries and fitness of his squad. That isn’t good. Eagles is struggling to shake-off his ankle injury and Ngog still has a runny nose. Apparently, Matt Mills has caught what the Frenchman has too, but we’ll have to take their word for that. Rob Hall may be given another start, or Dougie maybe using mind-games to keep Hazza Redknapp guessing. Oh, Dazza to the Prazza is suspended and Andre Moritz isn’t fit. Creativity is definitely at a premium.
Player to watch: Jermaine Beckford
Who do I put here? Seriously, which players name do I place in the ‘one to watch’ section? This is Wanderers’ main problem in my opinion. The lack of danger-man, go-to-guy or talisman leaves the team lacking bite or continuity. Anyway, I’ve gone for Beckford again, with no real determination, but filled with hope.
QPR Team News:
Where the Whites have one definitely missing with three unlikely to feature, QPR have one missing but three likely to return.
Armand Traore is back in the QPR squad and Alejandro Faurlin and Andy Johnson could both return for the trip to the Reebok, but Junior Hoilett looks likely to miss out again.
Player to watch: Andrew Johnson
While it was hard to pick a Wanderers player to make allowances for, QPR had a plethora to choose from.
He’s gone off the football rader, lost among the Rangers’ superstars, but Andrew Johnson took no time finding his goal scoring touch after being reintroduced to the starting 11. Very quick, excellent movement and an eye for goal: The archetypal triple-threat.
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton and QPR have only played each other in league matches and the Whites are looking to stretch their unbeaten run against Rangers to eight games. They have won the last two. QPR have only won twice at Bolton in their history.
The last time Bolton failed to win in the league after 4 games was 32 years ago. A stat that could easily be udated tomorrow.
Match Prediction:
Like the ‘player to watch’ for the Whites, I’m equally at a loss with the predictive scoreline. I hope I’m not jinxing it and a loss wouldn’t be the end of the world, but I’m going for a win. 2-1 to the Wanderers.
Next Fixtures:
After the cup game at Tranmere, it’s up to Blackburn for our annual away-day victory.