Bolton travel to Stoke this evening for a game between the two worst passing sides in the Premier League. As Mark Lawrenson would say, it won’t be one for the purists.
Expect coverage on Match of the Day to be so brief that is borders on subliminal. Now there’s a word you thought you’d never see in a match preview.
Vital Quotes:
‘You know just what you are going to get from him … battered. If you are not prepared to stand up to that, then he has won.
To be fair to him, he will give it out, but is also prepared to take it back and won`t complain.’
Rory Delap sings the praises of Kevin Davies. Well, sort of.
‘He doesn`t need to say much, he just looks at you and that gets his point across because he`s a pretty scary fella.’
Delap also gets it spot on about Bolton old boy, Abdoulaye Faye, a man who can head the ball further than most people can kick it.
Stoke City Team News:
Rory Delap is available after suspension and Abdoulaye Faye is expected to play, as is Thomas Sorenson, but Matthew Etherington is suspended
Player to watch: Rory Delap
How to combat those long throws? A sniper might be an idea.
Bolton Team News:
Bolton have no new injury worries. There are no suspensions either, but that’s probably because Kevin Nolan has gone to Newcastle.
Player to watch: Gary Cahill
Has performed outstandingly of late and will need to do so again to combat Stoke’s aerial threat. Damn it, another Lawro phrase. This site’s going to pot, if you’ll pardon the expression. (Stoke, potteries etc. Oh never mind.)
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton haven’t won at Stoke since 1964. Then they got relegated.
Next Fixtures:
Fulham (H)