A wiser Wanderers to meet with the Owls - Bolton v Sheffield Wed 14/10/2017

[bristol_Wanderer3]

We are back on it on Saturday at the Macron with the visit of Sheffield Wednesday. They have finished top6 in this league for the last two seasons, and backed by wealthy Thai owner Dejphon Chansiri have resources we can only dream of, highlighted by the fact they have a £10m goalscorer regularly on the bench in Jordan Rhodes. Last time out they convincingly beat Leeds 3-0 and probably didn't want the international break to come around. Generally from what I have seen of them, they perfect the knack of not looking particularly fluent but consistently getting results.

Meanwhile the international break was probably the best thing that could have happened for us. We have had time to mentally and emotionally recover from a disastrous, goalless September, and a number of players have had time to recover from injuries so we should be able to field a full strength side for the first time this season. The return of Vela and the new found solidity and experience in central midfield following the signing of Henry certainly give us a tougher look.

So can this side finally get a victory?

Howard
Little, Wheater, Beevers, Taylor;
Henry, Pratley, Vela;
Ameobi, Madine. Armstrong;

Wednesday have sold out the away end but here is to hoping the 4800 Wednesdayites head back across the Pennines pointless. 1-0 us. COYWM.

[TANGODANCER]

I'm noticing in a few post team selections, Pratley (who wasn't too long ago not fit to paint touchlines) is being included. With Henry apparently slotting in well, and talk of a Vela return (a successful one, God willing) how will this work out then. Indeed I'm very interested to see what Parky will now see as our first X1. With Madine also seeming iundroppable, is Armstrong really the better option as his partner over Alf being that goals and wins are all that will save us right now.

[Hoboh]

Pessimistically I'm not holding my breath.

[Bruce Rioja]

Coupon buster. 3-1 to the Wanderers.

[Harry Genshaw]

1-0 win to us. Late winner by substitute Vela

[TANGODANCER]

A very tough game against a good side. Home advantge may just turn the tide and get us the points...but it won't be easy. That said, the term "must win game" has never had more importance and that fact may just inspire the lads to a gut busting win. So, an early COME ON YOU WHITES ..WE CAN DO IT...

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Pratley's always been energetically gormless - needs a leader alongside him. Henry seems to be the organiser. Vela will need to break forward from midfield so it will be interesting to see if PP goes for the 4-2-3-1 with Vela at 10, or more of a 4-3-3 with Vela deeper alongside Prats (in front of Henry) but given more licence to bomb on. All this is assuming Vela is fit to start, which isn't a given (unless PP has said so and I've missed it).

Whichever of those two systems we play – and I'd be very surprised if we reverted to a back three - there's a space available along the front three, wide of Madine, with Ameobi surely a shoo-in. Might be Arma, might be Noone, might be Morais; doubt it'll be ALF because he needs to be in the box, which would leave us a man light in midfield (and possibly without any width on one side).

[Lost Leopard Spot]

We're gonna get bloovered.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Phil's Presser (per Twitter):

The lads have come in refreshed this week mentally and physically. We've had a really good week's training.

We've had a lot of additions on the training ground with players returning to fitness. It's been good to have another two weeks for the likes of Sammy Ameobi and Karl Henry.

I feel the last two performances were a lot better. The lads need to gain confidence from that. We need to add to them.

If one player can fast-track himself back into contention, it's @velajosh25. He's very determined and got stronger each day.

It was a very good performance from us last time against Sheffield Wednesday. Hopefully we can reproduce that tomorrow.

We've had a very difficult start but we need to look forward. We're improving each day and go into this game feeling positive.

There is always pressure on every game but we're pulling together & want to turn this around. We're looking forward to it.

We're in a very competitive division and there is a lot of expectation on Sheffield Wednesday.

When you get players back on the training pitch, it gives everyone a lift. We have key players coming back.

I'm really pleased with the standard of training. I feel it has gone up a level.

We just want that first win now, more than ever, and we're going to give it everything we've got.

I don't like using the word but the lads are desperate to turn this around.

We need as many Bolton fans in this ground to get behind the lads. We had some great atmospheres last year.

We've got players coming back and the squad is as strong now as it could be. We're ready to go.

Snippets:

[Sweet]

I have more chance of winning the euro millions than Wanderers getting 3 points on Saturday, and I haven't even got a lotto ticket.

[Prufrock]

The idea that we might beat one team twice in one season does seem somewhat fanciful at the moment.

[TonyDomingos]

We’re fooked. Birmingham have just beaten top of the league and Burton have got an away point at Bristol City.

[officer_dibble]

Well its about time our lads showed they deserve to be in this league...

Whats par? A point? Another defeat to nil and we surely have to be asking questions about the top man. Seen thw other results tonight, cant get excited. If we are unable to win games ourself it makes feck all difference. I’d take finishing 23rd now.

Alnwick
Little
Taylor
Wheater
Dervite
Pratley
Henry
Vela
Morais/Noone
Ameobi
Madine

Would be my team.

[TANGODANCER]

Well its about time our lads showed they deserve to be in this league...

Whats par? A point? Another defeat to nil and we surely have to be asking questions about the top man. Seen thw other results tonight, cant get excited. If we are unable to win games ourself it makes feck all difference. I’d take finishing 23rd now.

Alnwick
Little
Taylor
Wheater
Dervite
Pratley
Henry
Vela
Morais/Noone
Ameobi
Madine

Would be my team.

Dervite before Beevers? I know he's been a bit off the mark, but in light of what he can be?

[Bruce Rioja]

Definitely Dervite before Beevers. Dervite gets a raw deal, for me. Beevers has been a 4ucking disaster this season and has shown nothing to indicate anything other than him being utterly out of his depth.

[nelson66]

I just can't get excited - I am going to go fishing this afternoon instead

[Lost Leopard Spot]

...was going, and my fexxing car breaks down. Standing around in a garage somewhere near Macc at the moment, time ticking by, as the RAC van unhooks my chariot.
I think its the turbo blown, so I can scratch getting to the match I fear.

[officer_dibble]

Definitely Dervite before Beevers. Dervite gets a raw deal, for me. Beevers has been a 4ucking disaster this season and has shown nothing to indicate anything other than him being utterly out of his depth.

In one
Dervite has certainly been the least offensive of our defenders this season for me.

Hope Burke and Cullen are nowhere near the squad as well.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Fxck. Loose turbo pipe. Time now 14:53 Estimated time to fix ~1 hr. Drive time from here about 45 mins.
I'll get there just as the ref blows up. Radio Tango it is then...
No, I'll get there at half time, its 14:00 (fxcking 24 hour clocks)

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Fxck. Loose turbo pipe. Time now 14:53 Estimated time to fix ~1 hr. Drive time from here about 45 mins.
I'll get there just as the ref blows up. Radio Tango it is then...
No, I'll get there at half time, its 14:00 (fxcking 24 hour clocks)

Good luck mate.

Team is in. Best XI and strongest bench so far this season. COYWM

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