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We ARE The One And Only Wanderers

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Bolton Wanderers founded first, changed their name to Wanderers first. Case closed. Of course, there was The Wanderers, who dissolved in 1887 so are historically THE Wanderers. But as they no longer exist, they become a moot point, are consigned to history and for the point of this argument, don’t exist. It therefore follows, also historically, that the next team to take up the name ‘Wanderers’ should be referred to as THE Wanderers, which according to my mathematics are Bolton. Johnny-Come-Lately-Upstarts from the Black Country also deciding to call themselves ‘Wanderers’ because they, too, had a nomadic life before settling on a permanent ground, should, therefore, be paying some form of recompense to use the name.

It will help when buying players.

Vital Quotes:

‘I think it’s been a good window but it needed to be because you look over the Christmas and new year period and we were left with 15 players for three or four games, so we had to look to keep the group we had and add one or two new players, and obviously Lee Chung-yong coming back is a terrific boost as well. What we have to do now is go and try to win a very difficult game against Wolves and look to get up and running and try to pick up points again.’

St Owen glad to see all his players in one place again.

As usual, Mick McCarthy has said something, but I don’t want to bore you with it. I had a listen to him drone on for a few seconds, but then decided to do something more interesting like clearing the guttering out and some grouting before sticking two flaming kebab sticks in my eyes.

Bolton Wanderers Team News:

Loan signing Danny Welbeck Daniel Sturridge goes straight into the squad, as does the returning Lee Chung-Yong. Barring the usual long-termers, St Owen has a full squad to pick from.

Player to watch: Daniel Sturridge

Right Mr Sturridge. While we’re all very happy that you have come to the club, and we all know that you are set on returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer, now is the time to prove that you were brought to the club for more than your good looks and sparkling repartee.

No pressure.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Team News:

Jose Mourinho’s favourite, Stephen Hunt, is missing but this will be offset by the returning Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Kevin Doyle, as well as the inclusion of on loan Jamie O’Hara.

Player to watch: Jamie O’Hara

If it wasn’t for the fact that he is the father of the child of the sub-Katie Price, Danielle Lloyd, I would have wanted O’Hara at Bolton. As it is, he has gone on loan from Spurs to Wolves.

A consistent performer for Portsmouth as they were relegated from the Premier League last season, he is probably the only Wolves player that needs to be contained by the Bolton side, as the rest of them manfully take on the job of putting another nail in their own relegation coffin.

Match Facts & Stats

Of the 115 games played between us and them, Wolves hold a slight 48-45 advantage. At Burnden/Reebok, Bolton lead 32-14.

In the Premier League, due to Wolves not being in it for long periods of time, only five games have been played, Bolton winning three to Wolves one.

The overall leading scorer in the fixture is, of course, Nat Lofthouse with nine league goals and twelve overall. In the Premier League, SuperKevinDavies and Johan Elmander, one of whose goals was THAT one in November, have two apiece.

Ref Watch:

Peter Walton took charge of the reverse fixture in November, where Bolton won 3-2, regardless of a so called ‘fightback’. He also took charge of Bolton’s 1-1 draw with West Brom in October, leading you to believe that he will only referee Bolton games against the Black Country teams.

Having booked both Elmander and SuperKevinDavies in the West Brom match, he booked no Bolton players at Molineux.

Match Prediction:

It’s Wolves, so it could be anything from 5-0 to 9-0. But I’d go for 2-0.

Next Fixtures:

We have sold out our allocation for the Spurs game on Saturday. So a lot more people will have to be on their best behaviour sat, as we are, underneath the police CCTV operations room.

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From the North, In the North.

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