Question Time: Bolton vs Brighton

Bolton Wanderers aim to prolong their recent good form this weekend but face tough opposition in the shape of Oscar Garcia's Brighton & Hove Albion side.

In the run-up to the game we spoke with Brighton fan Simon Tipple.

Simon is 29, and works on the Football Manager database for Sports Interactive after spending his formative years in and supporting Brighton. He first started going to games in the early 90s at the Goldstone Ground, so it's been quite an eventful 20 odd years!

.

1) Keith Andrews - hit or miss?

Neither.

He's had some very good games, some not so good. He's not really the sort of player who is going to get people on the edge of their seats but I think he's brought some experience and calmness to the side that is sometimes overlooked by supporters.

I think he's an important player for us in the midfield, especially with Crofts out for the rest of the season.

2) You find yourself in 8th position after 33 games, are you happy with how the season has gone?

You can't complain with our position.

Given the way things ended last season you never know quite what to expect. We've all seen sides look very good one season and then dramatically fall away and even get relegated the following season.

Everything has calmed down now after a crazy summer and Oscar's ideas and approach to the game are evident in our performances.

3) This is Oscar Garcia's first season in charge, and he has faced accusations of forcing a more pragmatic style on your team - how have the fans taken to this approach when compared to the more expansive of Gus Poyet?

Yes, our style has changed. We still keep the ball down and play out from the back but we don't worship position quite as much as we used to and control games for long periods of time.

We're inclined now to get the ball forward a bit quicker and as a consequence don't keep possession as much as we used too.

That said we press the ball a lot higher up the pitch now to try and get it back quicker. I think most fans are happy with the change, personally I miss the old style but we're in a very similar position to last season.

So long as we're winning fans will be happy and it's good that we've kept elements of the Poyet way so that we don't need massive changes to the playing squad.

4) Are there any players in the Bolton ranks that you're particularly concerned about?

I've always liked Joe Mason.

I remember him breaking through in 2010 and scoring a few goals for Plymouth in the Championship.

Also recall him scoring at the Amex for Cardiff! I was hoping we'd sign him in January and it looks like he's found his goal scoring boots for you in recent games for you.

Bringing in Jutkiewicz on loan looks like a decent bit of business too at the moment.

5) Bolton have recovered lately from what had, until three weeks ago, been a disastrous season. From the ‘outside' how have you assessed the Wanderers' season?

I think everyone expected Bolton to be pushing for a play-off position again so it's been a surprise to see you struggling this season.

I don't really know what's got wrong but it's not a surprise to see you pulling away from danger now.

I guess they ambition for you now is to continue this good form and finish strongly and carry that momentum into next season.

6) Give us a score prediction, please.

It's got to be a draw!

We'd like to express our thanks to Simon for his time and wish him a moderate amount of luck for this afternoon's game.

You can follow Simon on Twitter by clicking here.

COYW