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

[Mercer]

I think the story about Hoilett being out is a load of tosh.

He's our most deadly weapon at the moment and Bolton will know that. Therefore, put up a story before the game saying he's out and then watch Bolton systematically sh!t their pants as his name is announced on the team sheet before kick off on Saturday.

Kean said he was agonisingly close to a return on Monday night against Man City. How can he all of a sudden be out five days later when he hasn't trained and has spent his time working with the physios?

It's a mind game that works for me.

You assume that Kean has a mind !?!?

I said after the City match that I would not be surprised if we didn't see Hoilett again this season, maybe never again in a Rovers' shirt. Hamstrings are very ticky, tear one and you could lose half a yard in pace (remember Michael Owen, the once greyhound). If this happened, Hoilett's transfer value could be seriously affected. IMO, there might be more to this than first seems.

As for Croque, enough said - IMO, a complete waste of money and no doubt Kean will still utter the same tripe about him 'only needing a run to recapture his fitness'.

Dunn is probably done for the season.

As for the match, Hoilett missing will be a huge blow, perhaps a fatal blow.

[Stuart]

At least Venky's have brought exciting times back to Ewood. Just think we could be having to put up with the yawn-fest that is mid-table mediocrity. Don't worry I'm only semi-serious.

Let's face it Bolton have NOTHING to play for - which could mean they are a lot more relaxed. Make no mistake we deserve to be where we are and we can't sulk about refereeing decisions or the bounce of the ball or the rub of the green. We simply have to win this game. To do so we need to score so it's pretty vital Hoilett plays. I don't care if he is carrying a slight knock. This is probably our last chance this season to get ANY points at Ewood so he might as well be in the side even if it means he's out for the rest of the season. If we need points at Wolves it will be down to Labore rather than Arte.

This is our closest derby match this season and, as such, form goes out of the window. Despite Zulu's chivalry, I don't expect any favours from Bolton. Let's just go for it.

At £10 a ticket (ten quid, FFS... t.e.n. q.u.I.d.) there's no excuse for any (local) Rovers fan not to be down at Ewood at 3pm Saturday to roar the team close to the finishing line. I have a feeling Blackpool are going to beat Stoke so the players need to keep that in mind and focus on the job at hand like professionals.

I think I need to get me one of those seat warmer things because it's definitely going to be squeaky bum time (does anyone even know anyone who uses one of those??).

COYB!

#I got a feeling...#

[ben_the_beast]

I get my dissertation bound on Saturday. Therefore this must be a happy day. A rovers win shall make this the best day of my year. All stressors evaporating into a sea of tranquility in one day.

It is time to sleep easy again. I just have a feeling saturday will be a good day.

[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!

[Stuart]

Well done Roger. A very nice preview to boot.

I think you are right Sturridge is the one to watch. But let's not forget the old fashioned K Davies.

Coyle is no mug but we have to get one over on the dingle!

[chaddyrovers]

must win game say robinson

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Paul-Robinson-says-Bolton-game-is-must-win-for-Blackburn-Rovers-relegation-fight-article729338.html

[92er]

Did you have to do that 92er?

Good gawd.

Sorry!

I'd just heard it on the Radio and thought it would be useful to pass on the news.

[bob fleming]

Good work Rog.

We'll win. No idea how. Junior (Arnold) will play I bet. The LT said he and N'Dozi were fit in this mornings edition. Maybe the "managment" saw fit to say different today, to keep the twotters guessing.

Fair play to Zulu btw, but let's be honest, if we were at the reebok sending you down??

So this is it boys and girls. We must win, but...

Win and we're safe? Not so sure. Draw and we're down? Again, not so sure. We could beat West Ham. Why not? We could beat Wolves, again, why not? Their as crap as us, if not worse! The other home game, hmmm.

This is a huge match and no mistake, but those away games will decide our fate, lose them both and we'll drop anyway I reckon.

Not to bothered who plays up front. If Santa Cruz is injured - whatever, he's been @#/? I'm afraid (and I wanted him back). I'd go with Benjani and Kalinic. Roberts does well as one of those "impact subs". Diouf did well up front with a partner as well I recall. So take your pick. But have big Jase on the bench for me.

I've been critical of the whole thing. It's all on hold. Nothing else matters now, no point protesting when no one is listening.

We've a fantastic set of fans, different class. I don't care what anyone says. Let's get behind the players again on Saturday.

[Paul]

It's simply all down to the players desire - if they have any desire and self-respect they will go out and win this game. I see no other hope, nothing else to say. Kean is an idiot and irrelevant, our owners a bunch of incompetent fools, so we just have the players left.

I'll be astonished if we avoid defeat let alone win.

[Iceman]

Just don't let Emerton take the free kicks and corners ffs

[Kie_BRFC]

Robbo

Salgado Samba Jones Givet

J.Jones Nzonzi

Hoillet Rochina Olsson

Kalinic

[robbo_rovers]

Tickets look like they're selling well. How many tickets have Bolton got? The online site says that the Darwen End is sold out, have we sold out the whole of the bottom, or is it half and half?

[Presty On Tour]

Nzonzi back after suspension is massive for us, I thought he was brilliant against Arsenal and unlucky to get sent off. Him and Jones in the middle is our best option.

[Andy]

1-1 or 0-0 written all over this one.

[broadsword]

I hope not, cos I can't see us doing West Ham, Wolves away or getting anything out of Man Utd.

[roverwhelmed]

I have a sneaky suspicion we will just edge it, but only by a goal.

Beyond terrified. Last chance saloon.

[onlyonejackwalker]

Massic game, fingers crossed for our season. Hard for me to see us winning after this bad run unless someone comes up with a little bit of magic, or we benefit from refereeing decisions or a little bit of luck. Clearly a clean sheet is key as always.

Disappointing that Bolton got hammered mid-week as the emphasis will be well and truly on bouncing back in this fixture. I imagine they will be well fired up for the local derby with a decent travelling support fully behind them. Their away form however is shocking and I think they have lost 9 out of the last 10. Their home form is the reason they are safe.

This does not give me too much additional confidence however as our club is blessed with the ability to assist all others when underperforming at such times. Kevin Davies will be a pain as usual and some of their attacking midfielders will need constantly watching and tracking.

Nzonzi to definately start for me, Givet at left back, our best striker (irrespective of recent form) RSC upfront with Dunn in behind, Junior and Ollson out wide and in a game in which we need to be positive and attack I think Emerton at right back would be an interesting option later in the game if required. MGP and alternative strikers must be in the squad even if it means sacrificing a defender on the bench, which would not necessarily represent a problem anyway, with Olsson, Emo and Givet all flexible in terms of the defensive positions they can play. Rochina to only get a game if played behind the striker in his favoured position.

The emphasis must be on getting as many of our best players on the pitch at the start of the game, as opposed to playing 4-4-2 and one of the additional struggling strikers getting a start. Also gifting midfield to Bolton early on as per the City game would be foolhardy in the extreme.

Robbo

Salgado, Samba, P.Jones, Givet

Junior, J.Jones, Nzonzi, Ollson

Dunn

RSC

MGP, Emerton, Roberts, Kalinic, MBD, Rochina, Bunn.

As others have said elsewhere, worrying about Venky's / Steve Kean at this time with no-one listening is somewhat pointless. We are all relying on our players to perform to the levels we know they can until the end of the season. It is all we have left.

The pathetic performances and results achieved by Kean over the last 6/7 weeks has resulted in this situation and simply put we need to win against Bolton. Leaving it any later and it is all in the lap of the Gods. My concern being that even if we play to our very best, Bolton are still more than capable of drawing or beating us so I will be watching in hope rather than with any great expectation.

Be ready for Kean's after match comments. Working hard, trying our best, fully comitted, good group of lads, still in our hands, bigger games still to play, very confident, sleeping well, dodgy referee, safe as houses.

COYB.

[dubdubdub]

Play as we did against City and I think we'll win.

More nervous about this game than marrying my missus about an hour ago.

[Kamy100]

Owen Coyle (pre-match press conference0 on Bolton's injury problems:

"Mark (Davies) will have a scan on his ankle. He had a few problems last season but this year he had been doing ever so well, up until he turned it late on at Birmingham in the cup tie.

"He hasn't been right since and hasn't felt quite 100 percent. We want to get to the bottom of it and nip it in the bud so that it is sorted out properly. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

"Unfortunately, Daniel (Sturridge) wasn't quite fit for Fulham but he has responded to treatment - he will be touch and go. What we have to be cautious of is that we don't do anything detrimental to Daniel and we need to show consideration to his parent club Chelsea who have loaned him to us.

"We have to do what is right by everybody. Yes we want him fit and available because he has been sensational for us but we need to look at the bigger picture.

"Gretar (Steinsson) is a big doubt. He has jarred his knee and at this moment I would say that it will be highly unlikely he will play at Blackburn. But he is the type of lad to play through the pain barrier, so we will wait until the last moment and take it from there.

"It's fair to say that we will be short of numbers but the ones that are fit and available will be doing everything in their power to win a local derby."

[MarkBRFC]

I honestly think we will all breath a huge sigh of relief this weekend.

I think we will win, and everyone below us will lose.

That would probably only leave us needing a point out of the last 3 games to stay up.

[Guest Wen Y Hu]

There's no preview for the Bolton game, but Kamy's pre-match article is now up on the News site:

http://www.brfcs.com/wordpress/2011/04/29/derby-date-with-destiny/

[MarkBRFC]

The preview is on the previous page.

[LeChuck]

It's simply all down to the players desire

Not sure that's true. If Bolton have the same desire (why wouldn't they?), then what? Bolton have more quality than us so logic says they should win if everything is equal.

I think desire has to be taken as a given. Assuming the desire is there then it's about how smart we are tactically; how we deal with Bolton's physical threat and how we plan to score a goal will decide the game.

[Guest Wen Y Hu]

The preview is on the previous page.

Many thanks! Chasing after myself at the moment. Thanks to rog, too.

[Glenn]

Aye, nice work putting together so quickly Rog, Thanks. (and don't forget to check out Kamy's preview in the news too).