[Archived] Rovers vs Bolton - Possibly our most important game in years

[Glenn]

Match Preview by rog of the rovers

BLACKBURN ROVERS vs. BOLTON WANDERERS – KICK OFF 3.00pm, 30th APRIL 2011 - BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

Since there was no preview for the Bolton game, I offered to throw one together and after contacting the mods here it goes.

With only four games left in the season, and the current position we find ourselves in, you don’t need me to tell you how massive this game is. A win would go a long way to ensuring Barclays Premiership football next season, whilst a draw could inch us closer to the safety zone (provided results go our way) and a defeat (again dependant on the other results) would leave us with a mountain to climb.

Why I decided to step in and do this preview is two-fold, firstly I enjoying doing them, and in turn hope you like reading them, but secondly I’m rather superstitious and I’m sure you are too, and in the six previous previews I have done we are undefeated.

P6 W5 D1 L0 F16 A4

(Norwich 3-0, Middlebrough 3-2, Newcastle 3-0, Everton 0-0, Peterborough 5-2, Aston Villa 2-0)

I sincerely hope the streak continues!

The Team – Bolton Wanderers Factfile

Full Name – Bolton Wanderers Football Club

Nicknames – The Wanderers, The Trotters, The Whites, The White Men

Founded – 1874 as Christ Church FC

Ground – Reebok Stadium, capacity 28,723

Legends team –Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bruno N’Gotty, Gudni Bergsson, Fernando Hierro, Paul Jones, Ted Vizard, Roy Greaves, Per Frandsen, Jay Jay Okocha, John McGinlay, Nat Lofthouse .

Honours – three 2nd/1st Division (now Championship) League titles, one 3rd Divison (now League One) League titles, four FA Cups, five League Cups, one Charity/Community Shields, one Football League Trophy (now Johnstone’s Paint Trophy).

The History - Memorable games at Ewood vs. Bolton

21/02/2010 Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Bolton Wanderers (Rovers’ last win against Bolton) A Nikola Kalinic goal opened the scoring, before a deluge of snow. Jason Roberts and Gael Givet put the game beyond doubt in the second period.

03/02/1996 Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Bolton Wanderers (First Premiership meeting between the two sides) An Alan Shearer hat-trick, gave the then Premiership Champions, Rovers the victory.

29/03/1963 Blackburn Rovers 5-0 Bolton Wanderers – Braces from John Byrom and Fred Pickering followed an Andy McEvoy opener to give Rovers a memorable victory.

21/12/1889 Blackburn Rovers 7-1 Bolton Wanderers (The biggest league win for Rovers against Bolton)

09/11/1881 Blackburn Rovers 6-2 Bolton Wanderers (First ever meeting between the two sides, in the FA Cup)

Overall Record at Ewood

Played 71 - Blackburn 36 wins – Bolton 20 wins – 15 Draws – Rovers 144 goals – Bolton 98 goals

Rovers/Bolton lineup

1. Mike Salmon

2. Jason McAteer

3. Walter Crook

4. Per Frandsen

5. Colin Hendry

6. Paul Warhurst

7. Gordon Taylor

8. El Hadji Diouf

9. Kevin Davies

10. John Byrom

11. Bobby Langton

Subs

12. Youri Djorkaeff

13. Mark Patterson

14. Nathan Blake

15. Matt Jansen

16. Scott Sellars

17. Bob Mortimer

18. Harry McShane

The Interview

Obviously a bit short notice, for my usual style, but I asked a couple of people on a Bolton Wanderers forum for some quick fire answers.

Answers here

The Game

Of course any team news can change, but Rovers and Bolton will both be without long term absentees Ryan Nelsen and Vince Grella for the Rovers, whilst for Bolton, Sam Ricketts, Stuart Holden and . Both sides have fitness doubts over their second half starts, Junior Hoilett is expected to overcome a hamstring strain whilst the same injury force Daniel Sturridge to miss the defeat at Fulham on Wednesday.

One to Watch

Daniel Sturridge

The on loan star has been a revelation since joining from Chelsea in January. Most Rovers fans will remember his devastating cameo for Manchester City a couple of years ago, when he came on and lead City to an unlikely point, by scoring to make it 2-1 then threading a magnificent through ball for Robinho to make it 2-2 both in the dying minutes of the game. His record at Bolton has been phenomenal and goals against Wolves, Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal have left Chelsea fans wondering why he hasn’t had more first team opportunities for the Blues since he joined on a free two seasons ago. Unfortunately for Bolton his form has likely priced them out of any permanent move although he could once again head out on loan next season.

Fantasy Star

Johan Elmander

For those who play fantasy football this will probably come as a surprise, Elmander has had a magnificent season. As recently as last season the Swedish striker was an expensive dud who had done nothing but flatter to deceive during his time at the Reebok. Whether his work ethic has improved, he has had more luck or most probably the positive influence of manager Owen Coyle, he has had a season to remember. 10 goals and 7 assists have given him 141 fantasy points ahead of the likes of Bent, van Persie, Rooney and Torres. In fact only Tevez, Berbatov, Drogba and Odemwingie have more points in the Forwards category.

Tickets

Still Available, via www.onerovers.co.uk, via telephone 0871 222 1444 and at the ticket office at the ground.

Adults - from £10.00

Seniors/Club 16-21 – from £5.00

Juniors – from £5.00

Predictions

I’ll leave that up to you, although a 3-0 win like last season would suit be great!

[den]

Junior should be fit.

That would be a massive lift.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Win this and I think we will only need a point from our remaining games, lose it and the pressure will really be on us.

Bolton do look a different side without Holden, but they still have enough quality to cause us serious problems. I can't see Rovers scoring enough goals to win the match so I am going for a 0-0 or 1-1 draw.

[philipl]

After the ease with which Fulham bashed Notlob last night, let's not be in any doubt that reasonably competent Prem outfit can expect to beat the Trotters.

With Hoilett, Nzonzi and RSC all available, Rovers have more than enough players to field a reasonably competent Prem outfit and should win this.

The fault will be with Kean if we do not win.

[MarkBRFC71]

Must win - simple as.

Hoilett has to go straight back in, but I wouldn't be so quick to bring Roque back as he looks at best half fit and half interested.

I'd line up like this:

..........................Robbo

Salgado....Samba....P Jones....Givet

..............J Jones......N'Zonzi

Hoilett.........Rochina........Olsson

.......................Benjani

The defence picks itself. Roberts would be dropped from the squad entirely, and be made to work on scoring free headers for 12 hours a day for the next month after his awful attempt on Monday. Can't believe Kean had Niko scoring 'into an empty net' when Roberts can even miss those.

Dunny's not got the legs for more than a 30 min cameo, MGP lacks the heart, fight and form to play any part for me, and Bert puts the effort in but with little end product.

I'm sure Kean's team will look nothing like that though!

[dingles staying down 4ever]

This could be the biggest and most important game in Rovers' history never mind in years. I'm not convinced Rovers players and manager are mentally strong enough to cope. I hope that Rovers score early in the hope that it will lift the pressure. The longer it goes the more the pressure builds.

[savage8]

Think we'll draw 1-1, or lose 1-2.

Just can't see us taking the lead, forgot the last time we did?! - if we don't and Noblot score first then it'll be a scrap for the remainder of the 90.

Have a horrible feeling that our awful luck will continue on Saturday against a team we dominated and should've won against at their place earlier this season, when we had a proper manager. I was disconsolate after that loss; strangely I don't think I will feel THAT much worse if we lose on Saturday.

Come on Rovers, remind us what it's like to enjoy a win and leave Ewood with smiles on our faces!

[roverwhelmed]

MGP lacks the heart, fight and form to play any part for me

MGP sounds pretty angry and upset on his blog.

[Iceman]

Please can somebody kidknapp Kean for 1 day at least, that being on Saturday . C'mon Rovers, 2-0 to us.

[Ozz]

We have not been in the lead since Jan 23rd when we beat WBA 2-0.

The sequence since then is L L L D L L D D D L.

I cannot see us getting any more points after this game, so this is it really. It may be that we have enough points now to stay up, but I doubt it. So Kean needs to set us up to win.

By the way, when was the last time we played Bolton on a Saturday 3pm?

[Hughesy]

Win at any cost…whether it be by a penalty, an own goal – I don’t care – just win.

It can be the worst we have played all season, aslong as we win! Nobody will care.

LOSE and I feel we are down!!

[MarkBRFC71]

MGP sounds pretty angry and upset on his blog.

Empty words. Time he showed it on the pitch.

[RibbleValleyRover]

MGP sounds pretty angry and upset on his blog.

He's signed the new contract and it's time he proved he is worth the money.

[Toodling]

Empty words. Time he showed it on the pitch.

+1 he should do the talkin on the pitch not his little blog full of fangirls.

[Tom]

Nervous in the extreme. Win or bust and I feel the pressure will be horrible.

We really could do with an early goal to settle us a bit but i can't remember the last time we scored first.

I think it will end in a frustrating draw sadly, wish we had Diouf back for this one.

As bad as things have gone as late I really think that just one win will be enough now.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

THIS IS IT FOLKS!!

Rovers 1 Bolton 1

Att: 28,400

[47er]

This could be the biggest and most important game in Rovers' history never mind in years. I'm not convinced Rovers players and manager are mentally strong enough to cope. I hope that Rovers score early in the hope that it will lift the pressure. The longer it goes the more the pressure builds.

I thought that was the Blackpool game, followed by the Birmingham game! It'll soon be Wolves away!

[whiteinpeace]

After the ease with which Fulham bashed Notlob last night, let's not be in any doubt that reasonably competent Prem outfit can expect to beat the Trotters.

With Hoilett, Nzonzi and RSC all available, Rovers have more than enough players to field a reasonably competent Prem outfit and should win this.

The fault will be with Kean if we do not win.

I presume you mean when we're away.

Do not forget we are 8th in the league so not the absolute pushovers you'd like to make out there.

Having said that I expect you to win as I think our lot are struggling with a few players missing and also we don't really have anything to play for.

[SouthAussieRover]

We will lose 3-1.

The leaves in my teacup said so.

[Ralfinho]

remember when big sam took over and we needed to win certain games, did he not throw samba up front as a target man? Would it be worth trying this out and supplying him with crosses rather than lump kicks up front?

[JAL]

'All for one and one for all' in this game!

The time has come to see what Rovers are made of from the fans through to the players and Agnew should drop Kean from doing any pre and post match interviews as we really dont need to or want to know what he thinks any longer.

[Zulu]

After the ease with which Fulham bashed Notlob last night, let's not be in any doubt that reasonably competent Prem outfit can expect to beat the Trotters.With Hoilett, Nzonzi and RSC all available, Rovers have more than enough players to field a reasonably competent Prem outfit and should win this.

The fault will be with Kean if we do not win.

There's a flaw in your argument and I think I've just spotted it Phil.

Only joking. I've already said in another thread (before the Chuckle Brothers barged in) that this game has got 1-1 written all over it.

I hope you stay up - and I'm not too bothered about losing this one if it helps you stay up.

Wolves, Wigan and West Ham (please God, make it so!) for the drop for me. Blackpool should be twitching a bit too. I think you'll make it.

Then you've got the major problem of sorting out your ownership and managerial shambles before next season. Hold on to your hats! The louder you scream the faster we go!

[den]

remember when big sam took over and we needed to win certain games, did he not throw samba up front as a target man? Would it be worth trying this out and supplying him with crosses rather than lump kicks up front?

Samba was indeed played at centre forward, with embarrassing results. He was goddam awful there.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Samba was indeed played at centre forward, with embarrassing results. He was goddam awful there.

You sure about that Den?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7972756.stm

[RovertheHill]

After the ease with which Fulham bashed Notlob last night, let's not be in any doubt that reasonably competent Prem outfit can expect to beat the Trotters.

With Hoilett, Nzonzi and RSC all available, Rovers have more than enough players to field a reasonably competent Prem outfit and should win this.

The fault will be with Kean if we do not win.

So conversely, if we win then I'm sure you'll be at the front of the queue congratulating the manager