After that brilliant afternoon up at Fleetwood on Saturday it is time for the longest trip of the season as we face Gillingham away. Thank you very much fixture computer. Anyway, Saturday was must win game, and we did, and now this gives us a platform to try and get that second spot. If we win our games, that`s ours. We just need to match, or even near those performances levels from the weekend, which we hadn`t really seen of late.
The Gills have a different manager from earlier in the season as Ady Pennock replaced Justin Edinburgh, and did us a massive favour on Saturday by beating Scunthorpe 3-2, with a hat trick from late penalties for Josh Wright. They are actually in reasonably good form and have created a bit of a gap between themselves and the bottom four.
Vital Quotes:
“I went to see Gillingham the other week and they have got some really dangerous players, You have got to be really up for the game.”
Phil Parkinson, speaking to the Bolton News in the aftermath of Saturday`s win.
Gillingham Team News:
Ironically, hat-trick scorer Wright is suspended. He got his tenth booking celebrating the winner. Apart from that there are seemingly no new injury worries for Gillingham.
Player to watch: Bradley Dack
Gills fan forum Gillingham Debate were more than glad to answer this for us: “Last few games we have finally seen the Bradley Dack of last season again. It seems Pennock has really started to get him going again.” Cody McDonald and Zesh Rehman (yep, he`s still playing) also got a mention.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
After Saturday`s team lineup, expect the unexpected. In seriousness though, the lineup will likely remain unaltered, but Chris Long has now served his suspension. I would like to see Jem Karacan replace Derik Osede if fully fit.
Player to watch: Filipe Morais
Morais has been influential since coming into the side, setting them up, and on Saturday they were being dispatched. After two great performances expect him to be tightly marked.
Match Facts & Stats
Both teams are in the second quarter of the form table. Bolton have nine points from their last six games, Gilliingham have managed 10.
Gillingham have won seven of their 17 home games this season. Saturday`s win for them was the first over any of the current top eight.
Bolton have conceded 16 away goals, nobody has let in fewer, and only MK Dons match us.
Our last visit to Prestfield was in 2000, where we drew 2-2. Bo Hansen scored our first, and John O`Kane scored from 40 yards
Match Prediction:
I`ll go for a draw in this one. Sorry in advance if that`s pessimistic. 1-1.
Next Fixtures:
We host Northampton on Saturday, before next Tuesday`s televised trip to Oxford.