Bolton Wanderers vs Tottingham Hotspur

[hisroyalgingerness]

What's that bish, our bench?

[Tombwfc]

Peter Thompson and Sir Nut, look away now.....

Kevin Davies has joined the Premier League's 400 Club - and Bolton boss Owen Coyle is backing him to make his next ton without any trouble.

Wanderers warrior Davies reached his landmark in midweek and Coyle paid tribute to the feat but stressed that there is no reason why his team's talisman cannot hit his next target.

Davies is still going strong and Coyle believes that the England striker's mental and physical strength will carry him on for some time to come.

Coyle said: "It's an astonishing figure because of the way Kevin plays the game - and the way people play the game against him.

"He has got tremendous physical attributes but it is all credit to the way he looks after himself. The more experienced you get the more you realise what it takes to continue playing at the highest level.

"Kevin plays such an integral part in for us that when we have a game I want him to in the team. We have left him out for a Cup-tie on occasions but the form he has been in means that he has come to England prominence as well."

Skipper Davies is so key to Bolton's style that he can rarely be rested and Coyle struggles to even give him a day off because of his dedication.

Coyle said: "It's important that we keep Kevin fresh because of the role he plays at the club and the impact he has on the team. But he is such a pro that he doesn't like missing out on anything.

"He is as fit as he is going to be. But there may come a time when we scale down his training and make sure he is fresh for the games."

Davies's hunger is what Bolton are about and his mental and phyisical strength are the reasons why Coyle backs 'the skipper' to steer his way through to the 500-game mark too.

The Bolton chief said: "Kevin can play as long as he has the desire. Ultimately he will know what that will be. But he is only 34 - and as far as I am concerned there are many more years to come."

Wanderers will dread the day Davies hangs up his armour and boots. There are few others around who could take his place as Coyle readily admits.

He said: "Kevin is unique in many ways. He has done that through hard work and ability. I think people under-estimate him. There is a lot more to him than you think.

"He is perceived as a strong lad who plays up front through the middle. But he is comfortable in many areas and can cross a ball as well as any winger.

"I always feel that strikers are great crossers because they know how they they want to receive them. He has his share of goals and assists. He is an all-round team player."

Davies will start the next push towards the next century against Tottenham - one of his favourite opponents and a team he terrorised at the Reebok this season.

Coyle hopes for more of the same and said: "It's a game where we know if we replicate our performances we are capable of causing them problems."

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[thebish]

What's that bish, our bench?

probably!

just an answer to aussie-wanderer's question about who scored our goals last time we played spurs...

[TANGODANCER]

Love the two-page spread, match preview in Sunsport Goals section headed "Tottenham v Bolton. . 90% an article about Peter Crouch, 15% on Happy Harry holding forth on Spurs and 5% on OC "Davo for England". The match....not a mention. Great preview.

[bobo the clown]

Love the two-page spread, match preview in Sunsport Goals section headed "Tottenham v Bolton. . 90% an article about Peter Crouch, 15% on Happy Harry holding forth on Spurs and 5% on OC "Davo for England". The match....not a mention. Great preview.

Ah ... a paper which gives 110%. Love it.

[Wandering Willy]

Love the two-page spread, match preview in Sunsport Goals section headed "Tottenham v Bolton. . 90% an article about Peter Crouch, 15% on Happy Harry holding forth on Spurs and 5% on OC "Davo for England". The match....not a mention. Great preview.

Back to Sky again - they did a similar thing yesterday with an interview with Harry yesterday including some in depth discussion, with footage, of whether Gareth Bale's switch from a Range Rover to a Ferrari was the source of his bad back. Nothing about Bolton.

Have to beat them now.

COYWM.

[midnitefooty]

Whether we win or lose it'll be something like 2-1. Don't see us keeping a clean sheet or scoring boatloads.
One thing is for sure, I'd like to see us pass it on the ground or dribble it out of our own half for once. We seem to have gone back to booting it.

[elfil76]

My mate who is an ardent spuds supporter will watch the match at my crib tonight, will have a pre-match dinner together and then going to have a go at each other for 90mins. Lovin it... COYW, would love if we have 2nd double in a week.

Totally looking forward for this game.

[Lord Kangana]

Your crib?

Won't that be past your bedtime?

[midnitefooty]

My mate who is an ardent spuds supporter will watch the match at my crib tonight, will have a pre-match dinner together and then going to have a go at each other for 90mins. Lovin it... COYW, would love if we have 2nd double in a week.

Totally looking forward for this game.

Sounds like quite the date.

[norm the jedi]

Sooo many Spuds fans at work.........
A win would be above expectations on recent form.. but they've not been ripping any trees up...
I'll take a 2 each draw now if you're offerin' H?

[elfil76]

Your crib?

Won't that be past your bedtime?

Always do ... 11pm here... but staying up for the Whites each week.

[elfil76]

My mate who is an ardent spuds supporter will watch the match at my crib tonight, will have a pre-match dinner together and then going to have a go at each other for 90mins. Lovin it... COYW, would love if we have 2nd double in a week.

Totally looking forward for this game.

Sounds like quite the date.

ha ha.. yupe.. we like to start easy and then play it rough..

[wanderers_on_tour]

WANDERERS: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, M Davies, Holden, Taylor, Elmander, Sturridge, K Davies (Substitutes: Bogdan, Muamba, Petrov, Klasnic, Rodrigo, Chung-Yong, Wheater)

Lee on the bench

also am i right in thinking it looks like were playing 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 or sumat?

[Athers]

Won't see many games with as attacking teams as this, we've got 3 forwards on (presumably Elmo wide right of midfield), they've got 2 strikers plus VDV and Lennon.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Either Lee's not up to playing at least half a game, or he's been deferentially dropped for Elmo, who I'd assume is on the right wing in the usual 4-4-2 (Mavis and Holden in the middle, Muamba overlooked again).

The office Spurs fans were anything but confident, but we'll see.

COYWM

[keveh]

I agree with Lee in the bench, he wont be at full fitness, not just after cup, but he's played constantly for years.

It will be good to have him as an impact player today.

[irie Cee Bee]

Or is Sturridge playing wide right?

[RobbieSavagesLeg]

Jaysus that's an out-and-out gung-ho approach. Gotta hand it to Coyle...


I've got a good feeling about this.

[elfil76]

WANDERERS: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, M Davies, Holden, Taylor, Elmander, Sturridge, K Davies (Substitutes: Bogdan, Muamba, Petrov, Klasnic, Rodrigo, Chung-Yong, Wheater)

Lee on the bench

also am i right in thinking it looks like were playing 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 or sumat?

wow... interesting.. now I am really anxiously anticipating.