At his press conference today the Gaffer (pretty much) confirmed that Cairney is the only absentee. He actually said that Tom had started "working with us today and I expect he will improve his fitness over the next few days - we'll assess him tomorrow". Bolton fans will be pleased that the club's tax debt has been paid and a judge's ruling yesterday that the Revenue Man won't be closing them down. Not connected but our game has been declared Retro Shirt Day for the fans, so that should be fun. Less so will be the presence on the pitch of 'retro man' Karl Henry. None of us will forget or forgive him breaking Bobby Zamora's leg and yes, he hasn't changed one iota in all that time. On more pleasant matters the Trotters don't seem to have missed losing Gary Madine on deadline day, given the win against Bristol City last Monday, and indeed their last few results have seen them pull away from the relegation zone. Bringing back Zach Clough gives them a boost, as will the signing of Tyler Walker, also from Forest. Chances are that manager Pilkington will stick with a 3-5-1-1 formation, with the threat up front of course being Sammy Ameobi. For us not a lot to ponder really. Take away the Ojo contract rumours and it's a no brainer: .........................Bettinelli.......... ..Fredericks..Kalas..Ream..Targett.. .......................McDonald.. ............Johansen.....Norwood... .....Piazon........Mitrovic...Sessegnon..
Well spotted Surly. As it happens you caught me mid-edit to correct that blooper .. and the post has been duly updated.
Ah, apologies C58! For me the only question is Ojo or Piazon. If Ojo is fit, I would be tempted to play him & Christie on the right and save Piazon/Fredericks for Villa.
Have just been made aware that Boltons last 10 league home games have been 6 wins 3 draws and 1 defeat, that's great form for a team at the bottom.
Who plays upfront? Which loanee misses out? Does Cairney feature? For me I would start Mitrovic and if he's struggling sub him rather than doing it the other way round! If all loanees are fit Ojo misses out and if Cairney is ok he should be on the bench he can change a game even if not match fit!
Given Our recent run of results, I'd name an unchanged team. Mitrovic, Cairney (when fit) and Ojo should have to force their way back from the bench, as long as the current first eleven are producing the goods.
The man in the middle today is Robert Jones. please log in to view this image He really is a newbie. After only two years reffing National League and Women's Super League games he was bumped up to the Football League last year. And clearly being watched closely by the powers that be, he's been given eight Championship matches so far this season - none of them involving us. Scouser Bob has seized the opportunity with his premier hand and in those 8 games has tossed out 27 yellows and 1 red. Fingers crossed and hope for the best.
And right you both were. No change in the starting Xl. Strong bench again ..... including Tom Cairney. And hey you keepers, watch out. Young Julian Schwarzer travelled with the squad.
For those that didn't see it, this was after 5 minutes - We then spent 15 controlling but not threatening before got complacent at let Bolton muscle their way back into it. Ably assisted by Karl Henry. The second was dominated by the dual subs - Mitrovic and Kamara for Fonte and Piazon after only 5 minutes of the restart. We lost all our shape and a very poor decision. Yet we so nearly got the winner; Johansen hitting the post on 88 and Sessegnon stopped by a grand tackle in the 94th. Overall however, has to be two points dropped. And such an opportunity with Cardiff, Derby and Bristol City also drawing. [Mind you not so grim as Bristol who 3-0 up at half time against Sunderland and ending up 3-3.]
On the face of it a draw may not be as bad a result as it seems, given that Boltons recent home form has seen them beat both our play off rivals Cardiff and Bristol City. Also as mentioned the teams around about us dropped points, frustrating as it is not to take advantage of that, this is a hard league and points will be dropped along the way. Looking at the positives the league stays as it was and nothing has been lost this weekend, we go into a big home game next week still in great form.
