Steve Bruce welcomes Gary Megson and his Bolton team as they make the short journey of just 7 miles from the Reebok to the JJB this afternoon in what could be one of the dullest derbys ever with neither side anything to play for except a bit of pride.
Following last weeks no show at Blackburn Steve Bruce has said he will ring the changes for todays game, that would be fine if there was anyone to bring in, surely he doesn`t mean the inept and mouthy Kapo who once again has spoke to the French media about his Wigan nightmare, pull your finger out Mr Krapo and it might not be so bad.
What the Latics have been missing recently and it was plain to see at Everton and Blackburn is a bit of fire in the team, it looks like they have already got the suitcases packed and cant wait for their trips to Ianapa, Ibiza and North Wales, lets hope that Bruce does his job and gets the team going today.
What the bosses say:
Latics boss Steve Bruce:
‘Goalscoring has been our Achilles heel but we have prided ourselves on being a team that is difficult to play against, difficult to beat and has a sprinkling of talent in there.
‘We don’t score enough goals as a team but defensively, as a team, over the last 18 months, we have conceded 0.8 goals per game.
‘We hope we can turn it around but we have to defend properly because we know what to expect from a decent Bolton team.’
Bolton boss Gary Megson:
‘It’s a big game from our point of view.
‘Wigan are our near neighbours and they beat us at the Reebok earlier in the season in a game that was decided by a penalty which was more of an accident that intent. Plus, in the last minute we had a goal not given when the ball was over the line.
‘Saturday will be another tight game and we will want to redress the balance.’
Wigan Athletic Team News:
Despite reports to the contrary Mido should be fit to start alongside Hugo Rodallega, if not Amr Zaki will get a place up front
Latics from:
Kirkland, Pollitt, Kingson, Melchiot, Figueroa, Edman, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Valencia, Koumas, De Ridder, Cattermole, Brown, Watson, N’Zogbia, Kapo, Zaki, Mido, Rodallega, Sibierski.
Player to watch: Antonio Valencia
Hopefully the classy Ecuador international will give the Latics fans an afternoon to remember
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Bolton should be at full strength
Bolton from:
Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Shittu, Samuel, Taylor, Muamba, McCann, Gardner, Elmander, Basham, K Davies, Al Habsi, Hunt, Smolarek, Puygrenier, Cohen, A O’Brien.
Player to watch: Matty Taylor
The former Portsmouth player seems to have found some good form this season and he is always a danger when he gets the ball within shooting range
Any Previous?
Last Season
Latics 1-0 Bolton
16/03/08
Heskey 34 mins
Total League Games
Latics 11 wins, Bolton 9, Draws 5
Ref Watch:
Mike Jones
Card Watch
Games – 10
Yellows – 33
Reds – 2
Match Prediction:
Heart Says Latics win 2-0
Head says 1-1 draw
Up Next:
West Brom Vs Latics
Saturday 9/05/09
3 pm
Latics Vs Manchester United
Wednesday 13/05/09
8 pm
