After 5 league games unbeaten for Bolton Wanderers, the supporters seem transfixed in waiting for the team to ‘turn the corner`? But what if there`s no corner to be turned?
A five game unbeaten run, in any league, remains an respectable return. There were games played within the run, which we drew and maybe should have won. Also, there were games within the run, which we drew and maybe should have lost. So, when these 5 games are analysed- regardless of how strong the opposition was or if we where at home or away- it would seem, Bolton Wanderers have found their medium.
Add the game against Brighton into the mix- the 3-1 loss at the Amex just previous to our 5 game run- and Bolton played 6, won 1 Drew 4 and lost 1. From what I`ve seen this season, this 6 game abstract study- now the defensive personnel seem settled and Beckford has bedded in- and 7 points from 6 games is a fair representation of the standard we are hitting at the moment. Anything more would be flattering and anything less would be (slightly) harsh.
This ‘corner` the fans talk about and sit in anticipation, waiting for it to be turned, may never have existed.
If it did, we have sneaked around it undetected and what we are witnessing now, unfortunately, is the standard we`ve been waiting for all along.
Vital Quotes:
‘I know Eddie quite well – he`s a young coach like myself and he`s found himself back at Bournemouth doing very well with them getting promotion’
‘He`s signed a lot of players in the summer – a lot of Championship players, a couple of top end players and that`s the reason they`re doing well.
‘The boy Tokelo Rantie that they`ve got, everybody wanted to try and sign him but he`s a lot of money. We were quoted £3 million to sign him, so when that happened we felt it wasn`t the right money, but Eddie was backed and signed that player and he`s doing very well for them.
‘They`re a dangerous team and one that we`ve got to respect. We need to make sure we go down there with the right attitude and with the right game plan.’
Dougie talking to the BWFC website with more than a bit of bitterness in his rhetoric.
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Apparently, Bournemouth could hand Lee Camp his Cherries debut when the Whites turn up on Saturday.
The Northern Ireland international joined the club on loan from West Brom on Thursday and could get the nod over Ryan Allsop, who started the 2-1 defeat at Leicester last weekend.
Defender Elliott Ward was sent off in that loss and he will miss out through suspension. His absence is set to open the door for Tommy Elphick to be reunited with Steve Cook at the heart of the Cherries’ defence.
Influential winger Matt Ritchie says he is at a ‘good stage’ in his rehabilitation from a thigh injury picked up during pre-season but this match comes too soon for the former Swindon man.
Player to watch: Lewis Grabban
I’m sure you’ll forgive me for not knowing much about AFC Bournemouth or the players who play for them. One name I have noticed pop up on numerous occasions, however, is striker, Lewis Grabban.
After a bit of digging, the Cherries’ front-man, signed from Rotherham for around £300,000 has never been prolific. Still only 25, the 6ft boy from Croydon, however, now seems to have found his scoring boots at Bournemouth.
He’s averaging around a goal every 2.5 games, or maybe Rob2K can work out the exact statistics behind Lewis’ success on the south coast?
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Let’s have a long-term absentee update, shall we?
It’s good news! Mark Davies trained for 20 minutes apparently and he’s only a few weeks from training with the team.
Dougie Freeman has even put a time-frame on Mavies’ return to action and he’s predicting mid-December.
I don’t think this is playing-time that our manager is referring to, but just the sight of Mavies in a strip, running around and training with the team before Christmas, would be a uplifting image for the club.
Player to watch: Jermaine Beckford
Honestly, when I see a flicker of an alternative, I will definitely let you know.
Until then, this spot is Beckford’s to lose…
Match Facts & Stats
Some interesting, if not eye-popping stats from the Bolton/Bournemouth meetings:
Bournemouth and Bolton have only met 20 times competitively, and each club has won eight of them.
This is their first clash at second-tier level, and the first time they find themselves in the same division in 21 seasons.
Their most recent clash was in April 1993 in the third tier at Dean Court, when visiting Bolton won 2-1 and went on to gain automatic promotion that season.
Match Prediction:
I don’t know why- because I’ve only had this feeling once this season- but I think we’ll snatch this one.
1-2 to the visitors. I would have said 0-1, but, you know… clean sheets and all…
Next Fixtures:
Back up to the Reebok next Saturday against Millwall