It's that time of the week again, tomorrow the mighty Wanderers will be traveling southward to take on Wolves. This will be the 112th time the two clubs have faced each other, the first time being in 1888 in the first season of the league. Yes my friends, this is a clash steeped in history. To find out exactly how many times each team has won, lost, and drawn go to the BBC.
In much more recent history Bolton come out on top, with Wolves only winning one of the last 11 games. Bolton's last two trips to Molineux have yielded all three points, which is a streak Bolton need to maintain. Even at this early point in the season this is being labeled as a relegation fight, with Bolton in 18th place and Wolves occupying 19th with 2 fewer point. Not only would a loss allow Wolves to leap frog Bolton, but it would do further damage to our already appalling goal difference (currently clocking in at -11).
Whatever the result there should be goals as neither team has a solid defense. Wolves have only one clean sheet this whole season, while Bolton still haven't kept one. Both teams are conceding an average of about 2 goals a game. However Bolton will be without striker and captain Kevin Davies due to a one match suspension from too many yellow cards.
In Davies' absence Megson will probably choose to play Ivan Klasnic, who scored a beauty in the trip to Craven Cottage. I have high hopes for Klasnic. Before his kidney transplant he was a very promising striker. But coming from French Ligue 2 to the Premiership is a huge transition and we must allow him time to gain the fitness, and quite honestly, finesse required to score regularly in this league. And if his improving performances are anything to go by, he could prove to be Bolton's salvation.
As I said in my Fulham match report, we may actually be turning into a well-rounded team (despite Megson's best efforts). Defensively in that match we looked better than we have all season. Now we just need to get our flowing attacks back and the Bolton Wanderers will be a force to be reckoned with (cue all non-Wanderers stifling their laughs...)
As you may be able to tell I'm more optimistic for this match than I have been in recent weeks. I know we're a good team and I think our series of humiliating defeats may have been a reality check for the players and the manager. Teams like Wolves are the ones we need to be picking up points from if we have any hope of staying up this season. All I can say is that I will NOT be a happy bunny if we lose this match.