BOLTON v BLACKBURN - TROTTERS IN-THE-DEEP-END TRADERS?
The ongoing Nicolas Anelka saga looks set to be resolved before the weekend with his expected transfer to Chelsea to be completed. The sale of Bolton’s star player could jeopardise the Trotters Premier League safety with only 3 points separating them from the drop zone. Anelka’s goal tally emphasizes his importance this season. The moody Frenchman has scored 10 of Bolton’s 23 Premier League goals. The club’s next top scorers have 3 apiece in the shape of Kevin Nolan and El-hadji Diouf. So expect the Trotters to struggle.
Gary Megson seems to be concentrating on improving his fragile defence with any cash brought in from Anelka’s exit. Possible signings include Celtic’s centre-half man mountain Bobo Balde and AZ Alkmaar’s Icelandic full-back Gretar Steinsson. Bolton have also been linked with another French forward to replace Anelka. That man being former Liverpool flop Djibril Cisse, in footballing terms, that’s like replacing a Rolls Royce with a 3-wheeled van.
Megson cannot be too unhappy with his sides’ defensive qualities at the Reebok recently. The Trotters have kept 4 clean-sheets in their last 5 home matches and boast 4 successive home League wins. On the road it is a very different story with Bolton conceding 13 goals in the last 4 away games.
Rovers have won their last 2 League matches but confidence will have taken a battering from their 4-1 home FA Cup defeat at the hands of Coventry. However, they will not fear a trip to the Reebok with their impressive record on that ground. Blackburn have not lost at Bolton since February 2000, 8 years ago. That’s 7 visits to the Reebok without defeat and includes 3 wins.
It is a difficult match to predict with Rovers Jekyll and Hyde form but a draw is a safe bet on Premier 10 this week whether 10-goal Nicolas Anelka is there or not.
Pundit’s Pick: Rovers get point at the Reebok (draw)
Tags: 13/01/08, Blackburn, Bolton, Gary Megson, Premier League preview, Rovers, Trotters
