It`s back on the road for Bolton on Tuesday night, and it`s long old trip to Southend. The game should have been played in January but it was called off four hours before kickoff due to a frozen pitch. Three months on, it`ll be better weather, and a better position for Wanderers, who have a seven point gap over Fleetwood and Bradford. Will we bounce back from Saturday`s draw? We really could do with that. And with Fleetwood not playing until Wednesday, how good would it be to have a double digit advantage, even if only for one night? Southend have won their last four though, so it`ll almost certainly be another tough game.
Vital Quotes:
“Where we are, we`d have taken all day. We`re in a little league now with six games to go and we`ve got a head start.”
Parky in the Bolton News
Southend United Team News:
Ryan Leonard is suspended for the Shrimpers, Anton Ferdinand is 50/50 whether he plays or not, while Nile Ranger is also a doubt with an ankle injury.
Player to watch: Christian Walton
Walton, an England Under 20 international, only signed just before Saturday`s win against Oldham, only meeting his team mates pre kick-off, but he put on a fine display. He was Luton in the higher echelons of League Two earlier this season, so the Brighton loanee will be once again another test at a higher level tomorrow.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Gary Madine is hopefully back for this one, the club seem fairly confident. Apart from that, it`s likely it will be as you were from Saturday.
Player to watch: Gary Madine
Should mean we`ll get the ball to stick up front at least.
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton have not a won a league game when Gary Madine has not played, and they average 2.18 points per game when he does.
Bolton have won 10 away games, Southend have won 10 at home.
Bolton went eight unbeaten at the weekend, which is their longest undefeated league streak this season. We didn`t lose any of our first seven either.
Bolton`s last trip to Roots Hall that actually resulted in a football game was in September 1996, when we were beaten 5-2.
Match Prediction:
I`ll go for a draw. Southend did well to frustrate us back in September, and Phil Brown`s comments suggest he has a plan and we could be in for a tough night. 1-1
Next Fixtures:
Away to Scunthorpe on Saturday, then another away trip to Oldham the following weekend.