Tweet
It’s an emotional time for Wanderers fans. We’ve been suffering a mid-season slump, we’ve had five away losses in a row, getting only 4 points from the last 5 games. And then, last Saturday the incredibly sad news of Nat Lofthouse’s death reached us. The loss of a legend, the one man that embodied Bolton Wanderers more than any other, has shook the club from top to bottom. This game will inevitably be shaped by his memory. Bolton have failed to beat Chelsea at home since October of 1997, if there was ever a time to break a streak like that, now would be it.
Form wise, this is the worst time in the season to face Chelsea. We haven’t been producing the pretty football that fans were spoilt by in the first half of the season, and the results have been correspondingly mediocre. This undoubtedly has something to do with the absence of two key players: Stu Holden (injury) and Chung-Yong Lee (Asian Cup), but it’s not the whole problem. Unlike our bad performances under Megson, the players do look like they’re trying, but their efforts just aren’t good enough. Something has gone in the chemistry. It’s now over a year into Owen Coyle’s reign, and for the most part it’s been highly successful, but the pace at which we were going may have been unsustainable. This game will be a crucial test to see if we can regain the form we had.
Chelsea meanwhile had been undergoing a slump themselves. That is, until we went to the Bridge and lost 1-0. Their results since haven’t been magnificent, but they are certainly on the ups. In all likelihood, they will be padded by the presence of both John Terry and Frank Lampard. This fixture has historically been a confidence booster for the Blues. Bolton haven’t won against Chelsea for 14 games, have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last 20 meetings, and have failed to score in the last four. Even under Big Sam, when the Reebok was a fortress, we couldn’t beat Chelsea. It’s time to put a stop to that streak.
The most important man in our history passed away last weekend. He makes me proud of my Bolton heritage, proud to be a Wanderer. This Monday, I want Bolton to do him right. Play with his memory. Play for his pride. This is a man whose heart never left Bolton, let’s show everyone why. We are the one and only Wanderers.
Category: Previews
Tags: Bolton, Chelsea, Chung-Yong Lee, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Nat Lofthouse, Owen Coyle, Previews, Stu Holden, Team NewsTweet « Wheater Almost a Wanderer | Home |
Leave a ReplyIf you have not commented here before, please take a moment to peruse our
Commenting Guidelines. -->
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
Website
Follow Us
Russia and Qatar (!) To host World Cups Gary Lineker's World Cup Accident England vs France liveblog! more news... 
Search The Offside
Related LinksBolton FC JerseysBolton TicketsHotels near Reebok StadiumPremier League Fantasy GameTravel Insurance UK
Categories Injury ReportsInternationalsManchester UnitedOpinionPredictionsPreviewsRandomResultsTeam NewsTransfers
Send Your Tips! Found a great story, photo or video that's perfect for The Offside?
Email bolton[at]theoffside[dot]com
Archives Select Archive Month January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 January 2009 December 2008 August 2008 July 2008 July 2007 March 2007
About The Offside | Advertise on The Offside | Privacy Policy
Top Content: Football Match Tickets | Football Kits for Sale | English Premier League | Italian Serie A | Spanish La Liga | German Bundesliga | French Ligue 1 | Major League Soccer | Europa League Groups | Champions League Groups | Travel to Europe for the Champions League | UEFA Champions League Tickets | FIFA World Rankings
Related information: Betting on Football | Travel to a Football Match | The DA - Football Humor | International Flights | Cheap Hotels Worldwide
© BootsnAll Travel Network - All rights reserved
EuropeEngland: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League One England: League Two FranceGermanyGreeceHollandItalyPolandPortugalRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyAfricaEgyptTunisiaAustraliaSouth AmericaArgentinaBrazilColombia North AmericaMexicoMLSNPSLUSLWomen's SoccerCup CompetitionsChampions LeagueEuropa LeagueCopa LibertadoresCopa SudamericanaPlayersDidier DrogbaLionel MessiMesut OzilArjen RobbenCristiano RonaldoLigue 1 ProspectsSoccer Betting | World Cup 2010
Plan Your Soccer Travels | Soccer TicketsClose X
Home 
World 
Europe English Premier League 
Bolton Wanderers 
StoreTravelScores 
England: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League OneEngland: League TwoEngland: ConferenceFranceGermanyGreeceHollandItaly PolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyUkraineChampions League | Europa LeagueClose X
No comments:
Post a Comment