On Sky
I`ve learned not to get excited about Bolton Wanderers anymore. My observation article of the Blackpool game, ‘The Benched Boys` hinted at an upturn in fortunes but refrained from going overboard on praise. The reason being, it didn`t warrant it.
The game at Bloomfield Road was only another draw in a season- ten games old- without a win to our names. But, even if I had overdone it in the praise department, what could I have heaped praise on? The fact Beckford hit the post? Or, Dougie pulled a master-stroke by finally dropping the underachievers? Or, the Whites kept themselves from going bottom of the league?
No, I and the rest of the Reebok faithful have still got our collective feet on the concrete, even though it does feel like the wind has switched direction, somewhat. Even our loan players, Sordell and Andrews were on the score-sheet midweek. Granted, not registering for us, but still, it`s a positive in a Wanderers` World full of pain.
But don`t worry, if you do feel your feet lifting off the surface before Saturday`s game against Birmingham City, live on Sky Sports, we still have our very own, Aussie Mike to grab our ankles and yell, ‘where the hell do you think you`re going?`
Vital Quotes:
‘I will not accept the position we are in right now. We have changed the attitude of the squad and that is showing’
‘Birmingham are a very good team. If we apply ourselves properly we can certainly go there and win. We’re still targeting the top six’
‘I feel the game at Blackpool was a sign that we’re beginning to turn the corner. We showed that hunger and desire.’
Dougie Freedman talking to the official BWFC website.
He’s certainly confident. I’m rooting for you, Dougie, I really am.
Birmingham City Team News:
If you thought the Wanderers were on the verge of an upturn in fortunes, Birmingham City’s stock is definitely on the rise.
After their initial month of football which only saw the midlands club pick up 4 points, Brum have beaten Wednesday 4-1, knocked Swansea out of the League Cup, 3-1 and beaten Millwall midweek, 4-0.
Is this an upturn in fortune? Or simply the loan signing effect of Jesse Lingard?
I know which one I think it is…
Player to watch: Jesse Lingard
The loan signing of Lingard- which still sticks in my throat- has reaped immediate fruits for the Birmingham cause.
The very talented youngster from just down the road at Old Trafford, has already bagged himself 5 goals in 3 games.
Earlier in the season, Jesse also registered a brace of strikes against Bolton in an academy match.
If we keep this kid out of the headlines this weekend, especially in-front of the Sky cameras, someone’s had a blinder.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
The long-termers, Holden, Mavies and Vela are still long-termers.
Added to the long-termers is Marc Tierney, who is now officially a long-termer, out for 5 months on his broken foot.
On a relatively good note, Craig Davies has been training all week and will make the squad for the visit to St. Andrews.
Will the three new loan-signings of McNaughton, Danns and Feeney start again this Saturday? If one or more of them don’t, then what they have said or done to Dougie this week must have bordered on the criminal.
Player to watch: Jermaine Beckford
He’s getting closer…
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton have played Birmingham 60 times at St. Andrews.
The Whites have only won 14 of those away games and drawn 14.
Ref Watch:
David Coote? Yeah, David Coote.
Match Prediction:
What do I do here? Do I raise my hopes and play a dangerous game with my emotions? Or do I go sensible with a home win?
Neither, I’ll go for a draw and keep my fingers crossed.
2-2, but Beckford finally scores from a Feeney cross.
Specific and probably totally wrong.
Next Fixtures:
I hate these, but after the Brum game, there’s another two-week international break to bore us to death.
When we recover from our coma, there’s a home game against Sheffield Wed, then another Reebok clash against Ipswich.
Did anyone pick either of those teams for our first win?
Do I dare do a third poll…