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WARDY'S TACTICS TALK - BOLTON v BORO 15-9-06
Stuart Ward
Right, I hit the comeback trail last week against the Arse; at least I predicted the Boro score line properly! Lets see how things will go against my least favourite team in world football. Hacking Wanderers, sorry Bolton.
Key Players
Gary Speed - The ex-Newcastle midfielder has seemingly been playing football for as long as this (admittedly rather young) writer can remember, but he is still a potent threat, particularly with his penchant for a edge of the area shot and his VERY useful ability to head the ball. Speed chips in with goals, but he will also battle his heart out in the centre of midfield, and could well boss things now that the Boat has got himself injured and suspended all in one moment of silliness in Cockney land. He will probably come up directly against young Lee Clattermole, and he will need all his experience to get the better of the Boro lion. While he doesn't have the legs that he once had, he is a clever footballer, and one that I expect to have a large influence on the game.
Stelios Giannakopoulos - Hereto referred to as Stelios, the Greek international is expected to return from injury in time to face the Boro. The winger or forward is the main attacking threat for Bolton, scoring goals and getting assists in equal amounts. The former Olympiakos star is lethal when he gets within the eighteen-yard box and his surging runs down the wings set up lots of chances for other players. He may well have a hard match today against the much-improved Boro defence, with Andrew Davies likely to see the most of the winger.
Nicholas Anelka - The moody git they call "Le Sulk" became Bolton's most expensive player when he managed to convince YET ANOTHER club to take a chance on his whinging and moaning. He is undoubtedly a player who has terrific goal scoring ability, and pace to burn for that matter, but he has the temperament of a five year old whose Bob The Builder toy has lost its helmet. He will be the main goal threat for the Wanderers due to the oh so unfortunate facial injury suffered by Mad Dogs best mate, Donkey Davies. He will have to be at his very best to get anything out of Mr Woodgate, who already looks like a world class performer.
The Manager
Sam Allardyce - Fatty Samkins is an annoyingly good manager. I find him irritating as a person (his incessant whinging after matches, especially a particular cup final, and his open begging for the England job and subsequent tantrum when he didn't get it) but there is no denying the fact that he can get the best out of a bunch of old has-beens on regular occasions. People attack his brand of football, and perhaps rightly so. He prefers to lump the ball at a big guy's head than play it "properly" but he won't be able to do that against the Boro. Thank God.
How they will probably line up.
Jaaskelainen
Ben-Haim - Meite - Faye - Fortune
Stelios - Nolan - Campo - Speed
Anelka - Hadji Diouf
Bolton will recall Stelios to the side, with him coming in to replace the injured Nicky Hunt.
In goal the Trotters have the solid Jussi Jaaskelainen, a keeper much in the Brad Friedel and Annti Niemi style of solid shot stoppers. At the back they will have to do some re-shuffling after Hunt sustained an injury against Watford, so Tal Ben Haim will probably revert to right back and come into contest with Stewy Downing. This will hopefully suit Stewy, as he will be able to try and take him on for pace, something he doesn't get to do against full backs very often. On the left of their defence they have Manchester United reject Quinton Fortune who is a decent player going forward, but I am not really convinced by him when he is made to defend. Hopefully young Morrison can take advantage of this.
It is really a solid if unspectacular defence, full of height and strength, which they are going to need plenty of to deal with the physical nature of the Yak.
The midfield for Bolton is actually quite impressive, and can switch from four man to five man, with El Hadji Diouf dropping into left wing to allow Speed to come inside and shore up the centre. It will be an interesting battle. Campo will play in a similar role to Fabio Rochembach, dropping deep and trying to pull the strings from the middle, while allowing the more attacking minded Nolan and Speed to bomb forward to support Anelka. Nolan is someone who people keep harking on about for an England call up due to the weight of goals that he has amassed. Clatters will need to keep a close eye on his runs, as will Rochembach. Campo, silly haircut and all will look to keep Euell quiet I would think.
Up front Anelka may well be employed in a lone striker role similar to that which the Yak performs for us. He is a lethal finisher, and has got impressive pace, but if Woodgate and Huth get on top of him early doors then his head will go down and he won't be interested.
Now we will look at the ever-inconsistent Middlesbrough.
Key Players
Jonathon Woodgate - After his sparkling debut against the best striker in the world, and owing to Boateng's suspension and injury, I fully expect Woodgate to be made captain of his hometown club, and the first every loanee to captain a side in the Premier League. He was absolutely fantastic against Arsenal, and despite making us all cack ourselves when he went down with cramp, he has instantly become a fan favourite. He showed the pace to keep up with Henry, the game reading abilities of John Terry and the kind of dominating heading ability that Boro have missed for so long. He is going to be key for Boro, not just against Bolton, but for the whole season.
Stewart Downing - I know it seems like I pick the same players week in week out, but there really is a reason. Downing could well come up against a centre half playing at full back today. Surely this will give him an edge. He will have the speed to get past him and therefore supply his brilliant crosses from the byline instead of from deep. If he can beat Ben Haim regularly then he will be a great asset for the side, but he needs to start to prove himself to everyone, he was a little quiet against Arsenal, and demonstrated he is still defensively naïve after his foul for the penalty.
Mark Schwarzer - The Boro keeper was immense against Arsenal, making numerous world-class saves and not dropping a clanger, which is always nice. Hopefully he will be sky-high on confidence and can take this into the Bolton match. Bolton are notorious for their set piece goals, so Skippy is going to have to command his box to the best of his ability and inspire his defence in the face of what is certain to be a barrage of balls into the area.
The Manager
Gareth Southgate - I bloody wish he would make his mind up and stop making a berk out of me! He was again spot on against the Gunners, or close to it. I want to say we will kick on against Bolton, but I am not sure. Surely he will stick with the same team that drew with Arsenal, just bringing Huuuuuuuth in for his debut.
How they will probably line up.
Schwarzer
Davies - Woodgate - Pogatetz - Taylor
Euell - Cattermole - Rochembach
Morrison - Downing
Yakubu
Boro will keep the same starting XI that drew at Arsenal I would think, or they should do! Huth played sixty minutes of reserve team action but will still be short of match fitness, so I would think he will come onto the Boro defence, and get half an hour in at the end. Well that's what I would do anyway.
With Woodgate installed and Parnaby banished, the defence is looking solid all of a sudden. The new Gate looked imperious, dealing with all comers; he is exactly what we have needed. We look a lot better now that Parnaby has been gotten rid of. Davies is playing really well, and young Taylor is quickly making himself first choice left back, with some really commanding displays. They will all have to be really tuned in when Bolton have set pieces in and around the area, but Woodgate is proving himself to be a great organiser at the back, and everyone suddenly seems to have confidence.
In midfield, Boro will stick with the five men from last match, with the only change being Boateng dropping out and Lee Cattermole coming in to replace him. Against Arsenal, Rochembach seemed happy to sit a bit deeper and take the ball off the defence before trying to play it up field, and he didn't shirk his defensive duties either. He didn't dive in, he just jostled his men, putting them under pressure. Euell looked good on the ball and put in an all action display, supporting the forward play whenever he could and getting an assist to his name.
Cattermole will be asked to put in an all action match in midfield, tackling hard, harassing the opponents and getting forward to support the attacks. On the wings, Morrison and Downing will be expected to run the length of the pitch, supporting attacks and providing defensive cover, something which is neither lad's strength. They will need to attack their respective markers, and could well come out on top in their private battles.
Up front the Yak will be employed in his favourite role, by himself. I fancy him to get a goal today. He is a tireless worker, and should get his reward today, as our midfield will see more of the ball I would think. He will need to hold the ball up to allow Euell, Downing, Morrison and Cattermole chance to bomb forward and give him the support he will need.
How it will go.
Right, Boro to win 2-1 I think. We will be full of confidence, our defence looks solid and we have the players to get forward, Having said that, it will probably be another dire display now, as the lads have shown a liking for making me look silly! This is a match we should be looking to win, no doubts about that. I think we are stronger in most areas and will win 2-1.
Until next week, I am Stuart Ward, at which point I might be someone else.
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