A look at where we stand going into the Saturday’s match at home to Fulham
On Saturday afternoon, Neil Lennon will rally his troops together for another battle at The Macron. Another battle for which they will receive no payment. Many of the men in white, including boss Neil Lennon would likely much rather receive three points than their weekly wage, such is the dire footballing situation we find ourselves in.
It`s been a week since my last match preview, yet virtually nothing has changed looking at the league table. Our future only looks bleaker, with MK Dons winning we are now six points from safety. That`s the equivalent of winning two matches. Imagine that, winning two matches. Never gonna happen? The best we can do is to win a solid point, a good draw opposed to a bad one. That`s as good as it gets for Bolton fans. We took one of those solid points in the week against Charlton, with our men showing some rare fight away from home, in a thrilling Emile Heskey led fightback.
There was a refreshing look to the team though, with it being littered with youngsters. They showed there is some light at the end of tunnel. Josh Vela got a deserved midfield start and scored, yay. Zach Clough is finally back, and he gave us a new attacking threat. It`s nice to have an alternative to the long ball.
I am also eagerly awaiting the return of Wellington Silva, when and if that comes this weekend, he will provide another creative option for Neil Lennon. Some people moaned about his over flamboyant approach, or slight selfish nature on the ball, but boy have we missed him. His spark when he gets on the ball, he gets you on the edge of your seat, and it will be exciting to see him on the pitch again.
One thing to watch out for this weekend though, is Fulham. They, and diabolical championship refereeing, are the two things that could deprive Wanderers of three points this weekend. They are a team similar to how we were a season or two ago. They have a good squad with some good names – Ross McCormack, Tim Ream *cough*, Andy Lonergan *cough*, and Moussa Dembele (the young, bad one, not the good one) – yet find themselves in lower mid table looking nervously at the relegation zone a few spots below them.
That is what makes this a tasty potential relegation battle. We at the Macron Stadium have an extended winless streak going, but Fulham have a little one of their own. They haven’t won since October. Boasting just three points in their last seven games, Fulham are enduring the kind of form that puts you on a par with Bolton Wanderers.
Sorry to put our own club as the butt of the joke there guys. But everyone seems to be doing it these days. We are in a dire situation, dare I say a “laughable” situation, certainly the worst any of the younger fans like myself have ever seen.
That said, nothing hits home like seeing Paddy Power`s 90 second parody Christmas Appeal. After a minute and a half of poking fun at the Premier League`s faltering strikers, and the MLS, Paddy refers to the lowest of the low, that being Bolton Wanderers.
I remember when people used to give a smirk of respect when I told them I supported Bolton. That time is no longer people. No longer.