The League Cup is Really Important. Honest

Bolton play host to Northampton Town tonight in the League cup, with Andy O`Brien insisting that the competition is important to his side.

‘The League Cup is a big competition. Last year we weren’t in the greatest of positions but this year is a fresh start,` he told the offal site.

‘It’s an important game tonight because you want to be involved in all competitions as long as possible.`

Having, in the past, seen sides that consisted of reserve team players, youngsters and some bloke who just happened to be passing, Wanderers fans will be understandably cynical about such a statement, but compared to some of the guff that`s been written today, it seems positively reliable.

The splendidly named Jefferson Lake, of the Northampton Chronicle and Echo seems to be an optimistic sort of chap. `The Town manager is confident the weight of a bumper Reebok Stadium crowd – boosted by cheap tickets – will be on the home side’s shoulders, and that will be to his own players’ advantage,` he writes. Reebok Stadium. League Cup. Lower league side. Bumper crowd. Sorry Jeff, that one just doesn`t scan.

Back to Bolton`s offal site and there is shocking news for the Cobblers. `The Wanderers will be looking to put Saturday’s disappointment at St James’ Park behind them when Stuart Gray’s League Two outfit visit the Reebok Stadium,` it claims. Yes, they`ve already been relegated.

The NtfcUnofficial site is just as informative when it comes to points and league positions. `Bolton kicked off the Premier League campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Saturday as Michael Owen came off the bench to give the Toon a narrow win.` So we just imagined that 3-1 win over Stoke then. Bugger.

Back in the real world, Gary Megson has a number of options to choose from. There will almost certainly be starts for Ali Al Habsi, Danny Shittu and Ricardo Gardner. Gavin McCann will probably feature as well, with him being the manager`s love child. Up front, things look more limited. Johan Elmander and Matt Taylor are injured, which leaves workhorse Kevin Davies to lead the line. If he were to be accompanied by Riga Mustapha as part of a 4-4-2, then that would be splendid.

Yes, you`re right. That idea`s just too far fetched.