Jolly Boys Outing

We're gonna meet up with the Trotters ( Albert, Del and " Dave " )

Another tough looking away day on Saturday as we play a Bolton team that were 2 divisions apart from us last term. Now we find ourselves above them....cushty !

Dougie Freedman ( urghh ! ) is now the man in charge having left Palarse at the end of October. A strange decision all things considered but I guess if you're able to walk away from Selhurst anything's acceptable. I'd hate to suggest that he's a footballing Andrew Ridgley or anything but he's taken our Lennie with him....... hmmm !

Anyway it seems that the Trotters have won twice only in the league since Dougie's arrival with most games worthy of an X on your pools coupon as Mr Freedman has been swapping wins for draws. Time will tell whether the move oop north was a good one or not but it did represent something of a gamble by Bolton's owners. Mind you previous owners have been prone to odd impulses. Years ago they tried to lure Pele ( yes really, that one ! ) to Burnden Park. Oddly the great man didn't fancy the bitter cold, miserable weather and meat pies and gravy...........how queer !

Some things don't change though and despite Big Sam leaving, the Trotters still have the lovely Kevin Davies ( aged 52 and a half ) playing up front. I wonder if Morrison can be a latterday Hermann and do a number on him ? Oh, I do hope so !

One Davies who will be missing is Mark Davies, out with a long term injury that should see him able to tuck into the mince pies and sherry without too many guilty feelings. Also sidelined is defender Matt Mills.

Last time out Bolton were denied an away win at our eagerly awaited FA Cup opponents ( yawn ! ) Huddersfield. A late goal denied them a 2-1 win and yes, it was another draw.

As we know our boys have been good on the road this term and so we can approach the game with reasonable optimism. As ever I'd be happy with a point before a ball is kicked in anger. 

Hopefully we will see Solly restored to right back whoever fulfills the left back position. Similarly to Taylor last season Cort will think himself unlucky not to have played against Brighton last time out but having done so he will be fortunate if he dislodges Dervite. However, given a rare off day for Morrison Sir Chris may opt for a Cort / Dervite central pairing.

Trying to name our midfield is a game that only the great man himself can play with any confidence and even then.........I'd like to see BWP on left, Frimpong, Pritchard and Wilson. I wonder what odds I'd get on that. However, it's safer to say Jackson, Stephens plus probably three others !

Up front it's a tough one to call. I thought Hulse led the line well last week. If Haynes isn't in midfield he may well be the man best placed to partner him. However, realistically Fuller plus one other should be the way to go. Fuller is class above any other forward we have even if his is a little slower than in his prime. Riccy can produce something that no one else in our team can as he demonstrated against The Posh. That odd flash of inspiration can unlock a defence or fashion a chance and there's no substitute for that !

Can we have John Sullivan on the bench for this one please ?

Hopefully we can contain them and come away with the 3 points. Luvvly Jubbly !

Come On You Reds !