Continuing our examination of the four double gameweek sides, we now turn our attention to perhaps the least attractive of the bunch. Bolton Wanderers are about to embark an incredible run of five away games in six in the Premier League – just the kind of spell you need when you’ve not won on your travels since September. Owen Coyle begins by taking his team to City and Wigan in gameweek 26. Can they possibly offer any fantasy returns in the process? We give their prospects a good going over…
The Opponents
Wanderers face two trips away from the Reebok at City on Tuesday and at Wigan next Wednesday. In between this they also face an FA Cup encounter with Tottenham this weekend, a factor that has to be considered when it comes to rest and rotation and of course, injuries.
Despite two clean sheets in consecutive home matches, it’s hard to see Bolton returning defensive points from their trip to Eastlands. City have very strong home form and will surely breach a Bolton defence that will be without Gary Cahill. Next Wednesday’s journey to Wigan could be a different story, although again, backing a clean sheet certainly looks a gamble – Bolton are averaging two goals conceded per game over their last five away trips. If investment is heading Bolton’s way for this gameweek then, it will surely be aimed at their attacking players. Bolton will likely be forced out to attack and chase leads in both games.
The Current Form
Bolton’s away form is poor. No wins in their last five matches with five scored and ten conceded is not a good record to be taking into a run of fixtures that has them facing five away games in the next six. Owen Coyle’s side struggled to break down Fulham at the Reebok at the weekend despite plenty of goal attempts, so the omens aren’t good for a goal glut over these two matches. Even so, they are well capable of scoring in both against defences that are error prone. Set-plays are also always a factor when you’re talking about this Bolton side.
The Rotation Risk
Owen Coyle has brought in options in midfield and Jack Wilshere and Vladimir Weiss will be in his mind, although Weiss is ineligible to play against City. The winger will be available for the Wigan trip and could threaten Matt Taylor if he again fails to impress at City on Tuesday have replaced him with 20 minutes left against Fulham. Coyle has confirmed that we will see Wilshire on Tuesday night at City, although it’s not clear whether he will be a starter. If he does start, it will presumably be in a central role, perhaps in support of a lone striker. Mark Davies will likely make way. With Klasnic injured, Coyle’s options up front are more limited. Elmander will be pushing for inclusion but Kevin Davies looks nailed on for starts in both fixtures barring injury. In defence (should you be interested) Andy O’Brien has been declared fit and will start in place of Cahill. Steinsson has recovered from illness and is a likely starter for Robinson with Ricketts shifting back to the left.
The Potential Targets
Matt Taylor
So disappointing this season, it’s easy to give up on the former fantasy favourite but he remains one of Bolton’s key threats. His shot count is by far the highest in the Bolton squad and he is also a major player from set-plays as well as the designated penalty taker. Well overdue a goal from open play, Taylor has been given a more central attacking role behind the lone striker by Owen Coyle. He has the opportunity and potential then. He now needs to deliver or Weiss could start in his place against Wigan next week.
Predicted return: 1 goal
Chung-Yong Lee
The Korean winger is perhaps the most viable option in the Bolton ranks. Now established in the starting eleven, Lee is the source of much of Bolton’s creativity from the right. While he doesn’t carry the direct goal threat of Matt Taylor, he has notched four goals and three assists. One goal and one assist in his last seven league starts is hardly reassuring but then Bolton have won just one of those matches. Should Coyle’s side get anything from the City and Wigan trips, Lee seems likely to be in profit.
Predicted return: 1 assist, 1 FPL bonus point
Jack Wilshere
This would represent a real gamble. Wilshere is a very cheap option and his participation in the City game has been confirmed. This could be as a substitute however and we’ve yet to get an idea of just what role Coyle has in mind for Wilshere once he’s on the pitch. With Weiss recruited as a winger, it’s my bet that Wilshere will be used in a central role to attack from midfield. He’s undoubtedly a quality player but is still far from the finished article. Returns over two away games are far from assured. Personally I see just over an hour of pitch time over the two fixtures with no returns as yet.
Kevin Davies
Possibly the most unfashionable fantasy signing of all – Davies is nonetheless a vastly effective member of Bolton’s lineup. A budget purchase up front, Davies looks certain to start both league games barring injury. With Klasnic sidelined, he’ll be burdened with providing the goals and will certainly cause issues for both the City and Wigan defences.
Predicted return: 1 goal