Article: Bolton vs Swansea City Match Preview & Thread|Football, Bolton Wanderers, Sw

[Scottswan]

...............................................
Bolton................................... vs ...................... Swansea City
The Reebok Stadium
Bolton
Sat 28-01-12 15:00 PM KO

For links to watch the game online, click HERE

Welcome one and all to the match thread for the game between Bolton and Swansea City. These teams have already familiarised themselves with each other this season, with the Swans running out 3-1 winners at their encounter in South Wales earlier in the season. Bright pre-season hopes of a promising campaign for Bolton have given way to a sense that, if they can finish the season comfortably mid-table, their season will have finished better than many would have expected had they been asked at the half way point of the season. Having said that, poor early season form does seem to have stabilised and the Trotters will no doubt be looking to put a run of form together, which ideally will encapsulate both league and cup games. Swansea's recent purple patch came to an end last weekend at a resurgent Sunderland, guided by Martin O'Neill, who defeated the Swans 2-0 with wonder goals from Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner.

As there is surely time for Bolton to pull themselves clear of danger in the league, an extended FA Cup run will surely by a pleasant distraction for Bolton fans who have perhaps become unfamiliar with languishing at the foot of the table, whereas for the Swans fans, each added game in the fixture schedule is regarded dubiously, as fans worry that an extended cup run will overstretch a small inexperienced squad. Also, two players likely to be included in Bolton's squad are Sam Ricketts and Darren Pratley, both formerly of Swansea City and both still thought of fondly. Ricketts only spent two seasons here but will always be fondly remembered, whereas Pratters stayed longer and became a fan's favourite, before dividing opinion in the aftermath of his free transfer to the north-west.

The Match;

Bolton come into this game in looking like they may soon hit form. A 3-1 win over Liverpool (which won't draw superlatives from me - I watched the game) is to be applauded, as is an away win over their neighbours Everton, but they need to be consistent if they are to pull away from the relegation spots. Looking back over Bolton's recent form, it really is patchy, and I don't see too much to draw confidence from, other than a big win over an over-rated Liverpool side. Bolton really need to improve if they are serious about staying in the Premier League, but for this weekend the focus is on the cup, after they triumphed over Macclesfield 2-0 at the Reebok in a replay, after a 2-2 draw at Macclesfield.

Swansea, as mentioned, went down 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, which put an end to a decent unbeaten run of 5 games in all competitions. The Swans will be grateful for another chance to practice their "away game", as it's been lacking at times, and will likely go with a strong starting line-up. The Swans have a wealth of options to choose from in the more attacking positions, but the defensive side of things is likely to be mostly first choice, given the lack of options at Brendan's disposal. A first competitive appearance for Darnel Situ mustn't be ruled out, while Alan Tate is included in the travelling party as he continues his rehabilitation from a broken leg. After captaining the team for the opening game against Man City, Tate must have feared he would miss the season after injuring himself in a "freak golf buggy accident" and will be chomping at the bit to be involved come 3pm.

Prior Form; (most recent at top)

Bolton 3 - 1 Liverpool Premier League
Bolton 2 - 0 Macclesfield FA Cup
Man Utd 3 - 0 Bolton Premier League
Macclesfield 2 - 2 Bolton FA Cup
Everton 1 - 2 Bolton Premier League

Sunderland 2 - 0 Swansea City Premier League
Swansea City 3 -2 Arsenal Premier League
Barnsley 2 - 4 Swansea City FA Cup
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Swansea City Premier League
Swansea City 1 -1 Tottenham Premier League

Team News

Bolton are missing first choice keeper Jaaskelainen and perennially present/injured left back Ricardo Gardner with thigh injuries, while Mears and Lee are both out with broken legs. Stuart Holden and and Steve Davis miss out with knee injuries, while Alonso misses out with an ankle problem.

Swansea once again, have no real injury worries to write home about. Alan Tate is considered fit enough to travel with the squad, while Ferrie Bodde continues his progress with 60 minutes for the reserves the other night.

Trivia; - "Courtesy" of Opta

• Bolton has conceded just one goal in its last six home FA Cup ties, Jermain Defoe was the scorer, netting in a 1-1 draw for Tottenham in 2010's fourth round.
  
• The Trotter's last home defeat in the competition was in 2008's third round when they were eliminated by Sheffield United.
  
• Last season's semifinalist has won the competition four times, most recently in 1958.
  
• The two sides have met in the Premier League this season at the Liberty Stadium with Swansea picking up a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Joe Allen (pictured right), Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham.
  
• Bolton beat Swansea in a 1926 FA Cup semifinal, going on to beat Manchester City in the final.
  
• The Swans were the first Welsh club to play in the FA Cup all the way back in the 1913/14 season.
  
• Swansea is hoping to reach the fifth round for the first time since 2009, when as a Championship side the team was knocked out by Fulham after a replay.
  
• Brendan Rodgers side has only picked up two away wins this season, away to Aston Villa in the league and a third round FA Cup tie at Barnsley played five days later.
  
• Bolton are unbeaten in eight meetings against Swansea on home soil spanning over 30 years.
  
• Bolton have conceded just one goal at the Reebok Stadium in their last six FA Cup ties.
  
• Swansea have been eliminated at the fourth round stage on seven of the 11 occasions that they have made it this far.

Completely guessed lineups;

Bolton

Bogdan

Steinsson
Wheater
Knight
Ricketts

Reo-Coker
Pratley
M. Davies

Petrov
Eagles

Klasnic


Swansea

Vorm

Rangel
Taylor
Williams
Monk

Britton
Orlandi
McEachran

Routledge
Dyer

Graham


Analysis;

It's that time of the week again. Given that both teams are going to surely rotate slightly, at least, it's very difficult to predict any individual match-ups that may take place, hence me foregoing my normal "key battles" section. This game is likely going to be a direct battle of the managers playing styles, given that both teams have ingrained on them their manager's footballing philosophies, we'll probably see a winner on Saturday and I'm not expecting a replay. Bolton do like to play football, but Coyle prefers it to be more direct when compared to Rodgers' possibly procrastinatory style. Coyle has confirmed that new signing Tim Ream will not feature, so the new signing will have 90 minutes more to assess his new team-mates, and Bolton fans will be hoping he isn't regretting his decision to sign come 5pm.

Swansea will, as usual look to retain possession and it'll probably be the trio of Reo-Coker, Pratley and Davies who have the job of stopping them, and if the fixture at the Liberty was anything to go by the Swans may enjoy their afternoon. Bolton's players in that game received some of, and THE lowest ratings of the season on the EA Player Performance Index, and Coyle will be keen to make sure this isn't repeated on front of a home crowd. I think for Bolton to be successful in this game Coyle will have to spring a tactical surprise, as with the confidence the Swans have in their game, trying to beat them at passing and moving is unlikely to work - especially if Arsenal couldn't do it. Much better for Bolton to try and catch us off guard, and expose the inherent weakness in a patient passing game - get in the players faces and stop them from retaining possession at the back and you'll likely get a result.

O'Neill received plaudits which perhaps were over-done, given that his team had 30% of possession, and two wonder-goals to thank for triumphing 2-0, but the logic was sound. Contain the Swans, and allow them to play football where they can't hurt you. Success has come for the Swans when teams have tried to play them at their own game, and despite sterling rearguard actions they still look a little suspect when dealing with a continued bombardment, so Coyle would do well to alter his playing style and personnel if he wants a positive result from the match. The Swans, however, won't lose too much heart from that defeat and will still be full of confidence after a 5hr bus ride to the North West.

One last mention for Alan Tate, because I love him, and he's looking likely to be on the bench come 3pm. Hopefully he'll get a few minutes as there is no current player at the club who loves SCFC more than that man. While the Swans fans dream of a team of Alan Tate's, Bolton fans will be looking to the likes of David N'Gog to provide inspiration...

I don't envy them.

Iechyd Da.

Scott

[Scottswan]

Alan Tate on Sam Ricketts, Darren Pratley & Bolton;

"They're both good friends and they were both brilliant for this club while they were here," said Tate.

"Sam had two good years here [and] became a Welsh international while he was here.

"[He] had the chance to move to the Championship and did that and gone on to bigger and better things.

"Darren was brilliant while he was here. Everyone remembers the goal he scored against [Nottingham] Forest to clinch the [Championship play-off] semi final.

"He's gone on to Bolton where's doing ok as well."

Swansea beat Bolton 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium in a league game in October and Owen Coyle's side are currently 17th in the table.

But Tate is expecting a difficult tie at the Reebok Stadium against a side who needed a replay to overcome League Two side Macclesfield in the previous round.

"They're an established Premier League team," said Tate.

"I know they're not having the best form in the Premier League at the minute but they'll be hoping this cup competition can kick-start their form in the Premier League.

"I'm sure they'll be taking it very serious."

Owen Coyle ahead of the game

"Time will tell on that," said the Bolton boss. "It's a big cup tie and it follows on from an outstanding performance against Liverpool.

"The story was that Liverpool weren't at the races, but they weren't allowed to be at the races. They showed last night their quality - they are into a cup final - but last week we played ever so well, passing and moving the ball and scoring three goals.

"As a player, coach, manager, I have loved the FA Cup and I hope my players share that same enthusiasm.

"Saturday gives us an opportunity to reach the last-16, and I'm sure that Brendan (Rodgers) will feel the same at Swansea.

"They have been outstanding, beating Arsenal the other week - it was probably similar to us and the result against Liverpool - and they have talented players and individual match-winners.

"For me, it's a good game to look forward to. We showed last week, and it was long overdue, what we can do at the Reebok.

"We have to continue with that because after Swansea we face another tough game against Arsenal. We've got to repeat the form.

"I've said before that we have been on a decent run, but being in the lower reaches of the league then people don't often recognise that.

"As good as Swansea have been, we've actually taken more points from the last six Barclays Premier League games than Swansea. We've recorded ten compared to their eight.

"So it will be a terrific game between two good sides."

[neveroffsidereff]

Top thread again Scott.

[Scottswan]

Oh, almost forgot. Apparently Kemy Augustien was being tattooed by a mate of a mate today or yesterday, I forget. Either way, unlikely to start against Bolton?

[No1 superswan]

play our home team and strategy we will lose.......vary the formation like we did at villa and we have a chance.....

[mustyfrog]

kemy cant play because he got a tatt?

[Scottswan]

I think we played exactly the same shape and style as normal against Villa?

[PaGaNsWaN]

Perfectly constructed preview once again Scott

[Scottswan]

kemy cant play because he got a tatt?

I can't imagine it's recommended practice to be getting one done right before a game, surely?!

[mustyfrog]

lol they dont hurt scott

[DragonPhilljack]

I wouldn't like to see Alan Tate start for this match, not if we are serious about winning it, what I would like to see though is Dobbie get a start, we wouldn't be here in the Premiership if it was not for Steven Dobbie, so come on Rodgers, let's give the boy some games please, I wouldn't mind seeing Orlandi play too!.....................


----------------Vorm--------------

Rangel-----Monk-----Williams-----Taylor

Dyer-----Britton-----Orlandi-----Routledge

----------------Dobbie------------------

----------------Graham-----------------


Bench: Sig, Allen, McEachran, Sinclair, Tremmel, Agustien, Tate.

That's what I'd like to see on Saturday, but what I like and what I get are two different things!...............

[No1 superswan]

just a message to kangaroo seeing has super mod scott has gone power crazy and closed a thread he had no reason to except for being childish as he can dish out the insults like the rest of us ..

kangaroo everyone knows that as soon as i post something you are the very next post making snide remarks calling me names and pathetic. even if im not on you somehow mention my name in the thread.....

Look son i dont fancy you, i am not gay and not interested so stop stalking me......people are beginning to notice.....

[ivoralljack]

Excellent article as usual, Scott. Might just want to take a look at the header, though, where you have us playing Sunderland! Wouldn't mind that actually - they couldn't get that lucky again.

[mustyfrog]

ffs Dai settle and Scott reopen the other post

[mustyfrog]

well spotted Ivor

[DragonPhilljack]

Oh yes Sunderland never noticed that, must be from his last template!...............

[PaGaNsWaN]

ffs Dai settle and Scott reopen the other post

I'll just add Almost to the start of my first post LOL

[mustyfrog]

lol pagan

[DragonPhilljack]

Scott I've justed changed Sunderland to Bolton, as it's upsetting Ivor!.....................

[mustyfrog]

wd Scott, i don't see the name Dobbie there though?