It`s all falling apart. Well, that`s the feeling. Players injured, poor performances, aggressive behaviour in a reasonably nice bar and grill which is difficult to get to from the town centre unless you drive. And on top of that, we now have a local derby against a team that 10 years ago we were six divisions above, but are now four points behind in the league. And they haven`t lost in 18 games. Credit must go in part to ex-Bolton right back Gretar Steinsson, who has been technical director for the last two years.
Yep, it`s a trip to Fleetwood. Scunthorpe`s continuing efforts to throw away their promotion chances has meant we still have this in our hands. It`s a game where we have to turn around our form and win if we can continue saying that to ourselves.
Vital Quotes:
“Forget what has happened in the past. I don`t want to look back in the summer and say we weren`t one of the teams that stood up when the going got tough. I have asked the lads which individuals in this team can make themselves heroes. That is where we are with 12 games to go. Big players produce when their team needs it the most – well this weekend is definitely one of those times. I want some sacrifice, some extra bits before and after training, eating right, trying to find that extra few per cent”
Phil Parkinson in the Bolton News. Might want to impose an alcohol ban too.
Fleetwood Town Team News:
Amari`I Bell, Nathan Pond, Wes Burns, Jimmy Ryan and Martyn Woolford are all doubts for this one.
Player to watch: Devante Cole
Devante Cole has been in good form of late, including the first goal at Scunthorpe last week. Also watch out for former Trotter Cian Bolger.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Bolton have no new injury worries, just all those old ones. Chris Long serves the second game in that two match ban, and will be available as of Tuesday`s trip to Gillingham.
Player to watch: Josh Vela
He`s had an angry week. First he picked a fight on social media with another Bolton Wanderers blog which you shouldn`t read, because you should only read Vital Bolton. Do you understand? Good. Oh, then there was the alleged incident at the aforementioned bar. If he gets through this weekend, well goes for anyone, but you can`t be suspended for 10 yellow cards after this game. He seems to have let the frustration get to him recently, this needs to be channelled positively, because he can play, and has played well for a lot of this season.
Match Facts & Stats
Fleetwood are unbeaten in 18 league games, since November 12th, a spell during which Bolton have won just one game away from home.
Bolton are 9th in the form table, a bit surprising, with nine points from the last six games. Fleetwood are top, their haul of 14 points matched only by Millwall.
Bolton have 16 away goals, only six teams have scored fewer. On the bright side, we have six away wins, six teams have more.
Bolton won 2-1 at the Macron in August`s reverse fixture.
Match Prediction:
I think we`ll go down by two goals to one.
Next Fixtures:
Gillingham away on Tuesday, then we host Northampton next Saturday