Despite slipping to defeat in their last couple of Premier League outings – and with nothing but pride left to play for, Bolton boss Owen Coyle is still adamant that his side are looking to finish the season strongly.
A predictable claim of course but, with fixtures against the Premier League’s biggest two underachievers since the turn of the year (SUN blp MCY), and then a Reebok clash against Manchester City – who may rotate having already achieved their Champions League status – Bolton’s prospects look decent and their Fantasy assets remain worthy targets.
While Fantasy Managers ponder the availability of the prolific Daniel Sturridge up front, at the back you’ll find Gary Cahill who has been a stand-out performer for the Trotters in recent seasons and has maintained that form over a difficult season for Bolton defensively. Cahill climbed to second spot in our Watchlist rankings earlier this week and is very much on the radar for the final three gameweeks.
An inevitable transfer target in the Summer, Cahill’s potential this season has been severely hindered by Bolton’s inability to keep their sheet clean; Owen Coyle’s side have kept just 5 shutouts all season. The situation could be due for change however, with Bolton squaring up to a couple of encounters that offer them the opportunity to improve that defensive record.
Sunderland are perhaps the team that every Manager wants to face at the moment; they have failed to score in 6 of their last 8 games and the side is riddled with serious injury problems. With no recognised strikers with any experience available, you have to fancy any opponent to keep a clean sheet against the Black Cats – they travel to the Reebok next.
Bolton’s clean sheet prospects continues over into the follow-up fixture against Blackpool who, for all their attacking verve and effort, have managed to score just 3 times over their last 5 Premier League fixtures. Clearly Bolton are one side offering the promise of at least one more clean sheet then – a rarity at this stage in the season. While Jussi Jaaskelainen is due to be recalled against Sunderland and is a consideration in goal, in front of him, Cahill stands head and shoulders above his team-mates from a Fantasy perspective.
As well as being renowned for first-rate defending, Cahill also exudes plenty of attacking potential. This season he has found the back of the net on 3 occasions and offers great aerial threat from set-pieces and corners. As can be seen over in the Members’ Area, Cahill has managed 14 attempt on target this season – only bettered by set-piece specialists and forward thinking full-backs Leighton Baines and Aleksandar Kolarov.
Indeed, Cahill himself has recently stated just how confident he is feeling at set-pieces as he looks to add to his season goal tally…
“As of the last month or two, I think I’m playing my best football of the season. I’d just like to add one or two more goals. Every time I go up for a corner or free-kick at the moment, I feel like I am going to score.”
If Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Bonus Points are anything to go by, Cahill is the best defender in the league – accumulating the highest at 23 so far this term. In his last 4 outings he has been awarded 5 bonus points for his efforts and is clearly in some decent form going into the close season. Cahill’s domination in the air and strength in the tackle within the Bolton back four will always catch the eye – if the Trotters do keep a clean sheet over the final three games, Cahill is almost guaranteed a Bonus return.
There’s plenty of tabloid speculation surrounding his future at the club, but a possible move to Man City is inconsequential for Fantasy Managers right now. All that matters is that Cahill offers strong potential for returns at both ends of the field over the final games; potential that can be acquired for a fee of 5.5 in the FPL making Cahill a very worthy target for those looking beyond this weekend’s double gameweek temptations.
