The third round of the FA Cup brings up all sorts of possibilities. Losing the game is not one of them.
Let’s be clear, the manager and players may be talking about taking the opposition seriously, and I expect them to be given a hearty welcome by the two thousand Wanderers fans that will attend. But if we don’t stick at least three past them, someone had better take our strike force up to the top of the Lofthouse Stand and throw them off, one by one.
Vital Quotes:
‘Everyone knows I love the cup competitions and I want an extended run in the FA Cup. We`ll prepare, as we do for any game, to win it, and look to be positive. York will come and have a go, because they have nothing to lose. I`ve been round the block and I know these ties are always tricky. But we`ll be ready, absolutely no doubt about that.’ St Owen, for once not mentioning the York manager’s name. Probably because he can’t remember it.
‘The Reebok is a terrific stadium and the club and their fans will be treated very well. They will be playing on a first-class pitch in a good atmosphere and the players can thrive on that.’ It’s only a good atmosphere because you and your ginger haired gardening friend left, Chris Evans. (No, the other one)
‘NOT THERE FOR A DAY TRIP’ screams the front of the York City website. Yes, you are.
‘The Bolton-Wigan game on Wednesday night was one of the poorest games I`ve seen.’ York manager Gary Mills (for it is he). He’s lucky. It was one of the poorest games I haven’t seen.
‘The way we play has got us to Bolton and I won`t be changing it. They have got some good players – some international players – and are doing well in the Premier League but that does not faze me.’ Well, it bloody should.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
After Wednesday’s game, you’d have thought they’d have had a nice rest already, but some first team are going to be given the day off. Or at least be put on the bench where St Owen is still on his ‘no kids’ rule. Blake and Petrov have already been confirmed as starting, Klasnic and Bogdan should. Tamir Cohen has returned but probably won’t be shoved straight back in.
Player to watch: Ivan Klasnic
The best finisher in the team should be able to score a few. Then again, I said the same thing about Elmander on Wednesday.
York City Team News:
A bit of plagarism from Vital York (kudos to them. not many Conference teams have a Vital account).
York manager Gary Mills will have a full-strength squad to chose from aside from the already cup-tied Andre Boucaud. That group was expected to include his latest signing Jamie Reed, a prolific goalscorer who has arrived this week from Bangor City. On loan Robbie Weir is also available despite dropping a ten-pin bowling ball on his ankle during a team-bonding exercise in the week, while returning midfielder Levi Mackin is similarly in the squad after recently being forced to miss training following the birth of his baby daughter.
Player to watch: Michael Rankine
Top scorer for York this season. Sorry, that’s all I’ve got.
Match Facts & Stats
First meeting in 1951, in the FA Cup funnily enough, the teams have met twenty times all told, with Bolton leading 10-5.
Bolton’s leading scorer in the fixture is Stuart Lee who, before going on to a successful stand up career with partner Richard Herring, scored four goals in Division’s Two and Three in the early seventies.
Ref Watch:
Keith Hill is his name. You’ll remember him from our 1-0 victory at Southampton in August where, in a game about as robust as Dale Winton at an all female cage fight, he managed to book six players, including both Davies’ and Robbie Blake.
Match Prediction:
If this doesn’t come in as 2-0, I may as well write Betfair a cheque.
Next Fixtures:
A visit to Stoke will see Jussi enter the list of top ten appearances for the club next Saturday. And a nicer place he couldn’t hope for