BWFC 24

BWFC Away to Hull City

The Battle for Points

Both managers will be eager to get some points after disappointing starts to the season. Former Wanderer Phil Brown has so far suffered two defeats this season; the first against Chelsea (a respectable 2-1 at Stamford Bridge) and a midweek 5-1 battering by Tottenham Hotspur at the KC Stadium, including a hat–trick from Jermain Defoe.

Yesterday Phil Brown told the official Hull City website;

“Tomorrow represents the start of the season for us. We’ve had two games against two of the best teams in the country. We’ve got nothing from those games apart from pride in the first and a little bit of a lesson in the second.

“I took the lads for a little hike this morning and took them down to Boothferry Park. It’s quite alarming when you think that ten years ago, that was the state of this football club.”

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BWFC Home to Sunderland

The English Premier League 2009–2010 Football Season is here!

Bolton Wanderers play hosts to Sunderland Association at The Reebok Stadium in the opening game of the season. Bolton’s summer signings have a better chance for a place in the starting 11 as Gavin McCann and Andy O’Brien may be out due to injury. Bolton’s latest signing Lee Chung–Yong is very unlikely to make the start, but if he is on the bench I have a sneaky feeling that he will come on for the last 5 minutes.

Sunderland have their own injury problems — their first choice goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, will be on the bench with Marton Fulop starting between the sticks. Winger Andy Reid and defender Paul McShane are also unlikely to feature. The Black Cats new boss, Steve Bruce, has had a summer spending spree; including former Spurs striker Darren Bent who cost £10m.
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Burnden Aces at The Reebok

This coming Saturday is set to be best pre-season friendly (and fun day) ever, in my opinion. Not only do Bolton Wanderers take on Scottish Premier League side Hibernian Football Club at The Reebok Stadium but there is a ‘Legends Match’ too.

Bolton Wanderers verses Hibernian is being billed as Jussi Jaaskelainen’s testimonial. The idea of having a testimonial match for Jaaskelainen was not because he is leaving and hanging up his boots. It is more of a celebration of Jussi’s service to the club after joining The Whites in 1997. The celebrations will continue into the evening with dinner being served in the Premier Suite. You can join Jussi, team–mates and former BWFC squad member for dinner for just £82.50.

When it was announced that Hibernian Football Club were to play at The Reebok Jussi told the Bolton News website;

“I am extremely proud of what I have achieved at Bolton Wanderers and it has been tremendous to represent this club for as long as I have done.”

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Preview: Away To Arsenal

Today Bolton Wanderers head to North London in search of points. To end a hectic week with at least a draw against Arsenal would be fantastic – a win, phenomenal.

This is the first game since Sammy Lee’s departure and caretaker manager Archie Knox may have problems with selecting potential goal scorers with Anelka and Wilhelmsson both doubtful due to injuries picked up during international duty.

Squad selection is likely to be reminiscent of Sam Allardyce days with Nolan and Speed making a return and Ivan Campo feeding Diouf and Davies with accurate long balls to catch Arsenal off guard at the back.

Bolton’s recent performance should not be forgotten either. In their last Premier League match, against Chelsea, Bolton showed a willingness and commitment that should have earned them at least a point, but a clumsy error in defence gave Chelsea the only goal.

As Knox told BWFC’s official website:

“It was a good performance against Chelsea albeit the result wasn’t the right one. Hopefully, we will take a little bit of encouragement, despite it being a defeat, from the performance.

“It’s all fine patting yourself on the back having lost a game, but that doesn’t put any points on the board. You can only pat yourself on the back when you have achieved something.”

With talk like that I could get to like the temporary boss.

Archie also admitted that The Prem is a difficult league, rather like Sammy Lee, was he making early excuses for what some will take as certain defeat for The Wanderes.

“They are all massive games in the Premier League – there’s not one game where you would say ‘Thank God we are playing them!’

“Every game is a massive game but there’s no harder task than Arsenal away.”

Statistically Bolton should loose 3-1 today after being ahead at half-time (0-1 obviously), let’s all hope that that is not the case.

BWFC Prediction : Arsenal 1 – 1 Bolton Wanderers

At the time of writing SkyBet are offering 12-1 for a Bolton win and 9-2 for a draw. It could be a good time to take advantage of Skybet’s Free £20 Bet!

Don’t forget “The Premiership is upside down“, sing it loud and with great pride.