Expect Bolton to Pull Away From Relegation Trouble But Not Much More
by Graham ChaseFiled under: Bolton, Premier League, Football
To an alien it would seem strange to see the treatment handed out to Steve Kean as Blackburn were hammered by Manchester City compared to the general reaction to the dreadful start made by Owen Coyle's Bolton.
Of course the circumstances are different at every club. Kean raised eyebrows when he replaced Sam Allardyce, while former Bolton striker Owen Coyle kept the club in the Premier League in 2010 before taking them to an FA Cup semi-final last year.
Yet after Bolton were hammered 5-1 by Chelsea, once again suffering a sixth consecutive defeat in front of their own fans, there is no real sense that Coyle is under what we like to call 'pressure'.
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And it was only after a defeat that made Bolton's start to a season their worst in 109 years that Coyle's odds on being the next manager to leave a Premier League club were clipped to 7/1, making him third favourite behind Kean and Steve Bruce.
Of course there are mitigating circumstances for Bolton and Coyle.
They have faced Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in their first seven matches, with a relatively lengthy injury list.
Coyle's team, who won 4-0 at QPR on the opening day, are really paying the price for their 2-1 home defeat to Norwich last month.
Victory in that match, against a newly-promoted side that was still looking for its first win would have them in a far healthier spot, with a more straightforward run of fixtures ahead.
But since the shocking 5-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat, and the 2-1 win over Arsenal that followed, Coyle's side have lost 11 of 12 matches.
If Bolton remain in the same position after their upcoming matches against Wigan, Sunderland, Swansea, Stoke and West Brom, real questions will have to be asked.
After all, the Norwich game shows that games against lesser opposition can not be taken for granted.
But even if, as most pundits would still anticipate, Bolton pull clear of trouble, what can realistically be expected of them?
Last season's success was based on a strong XI, with seven players starting 34 or more Premier League matches and a lack of squad depth ensured they fell away when the busy festive period came around and ended up 14th.
Without the arrival of Daniel Sturridge on loan from Chelsea, they would undoubtedly have found themselves much closer to the relegation zone.
Stuart Holden and Chung-Yong Lee -- now both injured long-term - were not in that list of seven players but were regulars and key men before Christmas.
In the summer Coyle certainly added depth, but his starting XI is not of the same quality, or seemingly playing a natural playing style, and it is just not working.
Johan Elmander is the only player to have moved on but, other than the shambles of him leaving for nothing three years after being signed for £11 million, he should not really have been missed.
But the team that has started this season is a pale imitation of the 4-4-2 that was full of energy and ideas.
Premier League Text Commentary: Bolton v Chelsea As It Happened
by Howard SwainsFiled under: Bolton, Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Min-By-Min Reports
Minute-by-minute commentary from the Reebok Stadium.
No Taxi Required for Frank Lampard Just Yet after Stunning Chelsea Hat Trick
by Matt ButlerFiled under: Bolton, Chelsea, Premier League, Football
Joni Mitchell's homespun folk tune Big Yellow Taxi - featuring the lyric "you don't know what you've got till it's gone" - was the song of choice on the office iPod at FanHouse towers on Monday morning.
The reasons why could have been many: Steve McClaren's walkout on Nottingham Forest, Rio Ferdinand's omission from the England squad, or the fact that All Black Dan Carter will miss the Rugby World Cup due to injury.
But the main reason for employees wanting to use the jaunty yet poignant song to express their feelings was to use it as a tribute to Frank Lampard, who showed with his hat-trick for Chelsea against Bolton that the people writing him off were a little premature.
And all the fans claiming he was past it, all the pundits claiming he wouldn't be able to fit into Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas's new, speedy Blues should think again. Because he showed that he would certainly be missed if he retired tomorrow.
Villas-Boas had more or less told him last month after dropping him to prove he is worth a start - or as he may have put it to his midfielder: "To maximise his motivation potential."
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He certainly did that at the Reebok on Sunday - with excellent timing, on the day Fabio Capello named the England squad. Lampard was left out of the starting XI to face Bulgaria last month, leading many to proclaim it is the beginning of the end for the Chelsea man.
England have moved on, the pundits said. Lampard is yesterday's man. But with his goals at the Reebok he has put a compelling case to the England manager to include him against Montenegro - as well as a glimpse of what he could be missing if he leaves him out for good.
Lampard, however, was just pleased to have silenced the doubters. He said: "There is only one way to answer critics. If you play for a team like Chelsea, people have their eye on you all the time and if people say negative things you just have to keep going and working hard. Today was a day where it all came for me."
And on his omission from the Chelsea and England starting XIs recently, Lampard added he is not good at sitting on the bench - even though, unlike certain Manchester City players, he never complained.
He added: "I wouldn't say I am a happy boy when I am not playing, because I want to earn my money but you have to respect the manager, the players and squad we have got. I will always keep working hard to be part of this squad."
Bolton v Chelsea Preview: Didier Drogba Returns For Suspended Torres
by Ian WhittellFiled under: Bolton, Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: REEBOK STADIUM, SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1330 BST
Carlos Tevez could certainly learn a thing or two from Frank Lampard as the Chelsea veteran looks to regain a starting spot after an indifferent start to the season.
Lampard, 33, scored the opener on his first start in four games as Andre Villas-Boas's side were held to a draw away at Valencia on Wednesday, and the midfielder will be hoping his display, and patience, will earn him a place against rock bottom Bolton.
The England international was apparently frustrated at being an unused substitute in his team's last league outing, a 4-1 win over Swansea, but now a solid display in Spain could be repaid with a starting place.
Daniel Sturridge is set to return to Bolton for the first time after last season's successful loan spell, in which he scored eight goals in 12 appearances, and he could heap more woe on former boss Owen Coyle.
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The Chelsea striker, who has been receiving treatment for a knee injury, will be forever in debt to Coyle who gave him the chance of regular first-team football which has seen him jump from Stamford Bridge fringe player to the brink of the England senior squad.
But how Coyle would love to have the 22-year-old back at the Reebok after a shocking run of form.
Bolton have lost 10 of their last 11 league games and were dealt another huge blow in midweek when midfielder Stuart Holden was ruled out for a further six months after a routine check on the knee injury which has kept him out since March showed further cartilage damage.
Key Match-up: Gary Cahill v Didier Drogba: With Fernando Torres suspended, Drogba may return to the starting line-up and will be up against reported Chelsea target Cahill. After Arsenal's failed summer bid for the England defender, Villas-Boas has apparently now got an eye on a January move for Cahill and will be watching to see how he handles the fit-again Chelsea striker.
Form Guide: Bolton fans have certainly seen plenty of goals this season. Unfortunately for them in the wrong end after five straight defeats since an opening day win at QPR. Chelsea, after now what seems a good opening day draw at Stoke, have quietly climbed the table. A defeat against title rivals Manchester United was a blip, but last week's win over Swansea was impressive. The last time the teams met at the Reebok, Chelsea were resounding 4-0 winners.
Odds: Bolton 11/2, Chelsea 8/15, Draw 3/1
BOLTON:
Coyle is refusing to press the panic button in the wake of Bolton's nightmare end to last season - and an even worse start to this term.
He said: "When you a playing well confidence is high, and when it's going you against you then the mental strength comes in.
You have to have belief and that's what we have here. We won't feel sorry for ourselves.
"There's little wrong. I take it on the chin and go from there as you can over analyse things."
Coyle has admitted the loss of Holden for a further six months is a blow as he looks to turn around his side's terrible to the season.
He had hoped the return of Holden would help the Trotters regain some form and return to the free-flowing football which had won them so many plaudits last season.
However, now they must prepare to be without the United States international midfielder until the closing weeks of the campaign.
Coyle said: "It is a big, big blow for Stuart, because he has worked so hard after he sustained the injury.
"But obviously the most important aspect is to ensure Stuart's well being and that's what we are focused on.
"He went for the procedure and it was picked up that the cartilage was damaged and needed to be repaired, which has now happened, and we will now support Stuart as he begins his recovery."
Meanwhile, defender Zat Knight has told his team-mates they need to get their acts together or they could be facing a relegation battle this season.
Knight told the Bolton News: "The last few weeks have been very frustrating. We're at the bottom because we haven't done well enough in the last five games and something has to change.
"Everyone has to be a bit more competitive and take things a bit more seriously. We need to get back to being difficult to beat. When you don't win, you don't lose."
Strategy: Bolton will be looking to contain Chelsea's attacking prowess as they look to avoid a ninth straight defeat at home to Chelsea. Kevin Davies will be pushing for a return as David Ngog continues to search for his first goal since his summer move.
Injury Update: Holden (knee) is definitely out alongside other long-term absentees Sam Ricketts and Sean Davis. Ivan Klasnic serves the last game of his three-match suspension.
Owen Coyle is Facing His Biggest Challenge Yet at Bolton
by John PercyFiled under: Bolton, Stoke City, Premier League, Football
Owen Coyle has become increasingly prickly in recent weeks whenever the topic of Bolton's alarming slide is presented to him at his pre-match media conferences.
Despite a dreadful run of ten defeats in 11 Premier League games, Coyle is never once mentioned in the same breath as his under pressure peers Steve Bruce and Steve Kean, whose futures are seemingly judged on a game-by-game basis.
Statistics can be moulded by the press to shape any agenda but Bolton's results since their mauling in last season's FA Cup semi-final against Stoke don't require any form of massaging.
Even so, Coyle must have built up plenty of credit amongst pundits as defeats are never described as "piling the pressure" on the Wanderers manager.
On Saturday's Match Of The Day Mark Lawrenson lazily waved away Bolton's malaise after the defeat at Arsenal by insisting they "would be alright", but the last few months hardly back up his disinterested verdict.
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It must be pointed out that Bolton have had a nightmare run of fixtures this season, already playing both Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Arsenal while they face Chelsea this weekend.
But not even the ultra-confident Coyle's hyperbole can dismiss the fact that these are worrying times. Perhaps the first sign that he was feeling the strain was his decision to bench Kevin Davies - previously seen as undroppable - for the visit to the Emirates last weekend.
You can only wonder if his much maligned predecessor Gary Megson would have survived such an horrific run.
Megson was hounded out of the club after a concerted hate campaign by frustrated fans and if he had been in charge for such a run would surely have been sacked by now.
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside dismissed Megson at the fag end of 2009 after insisting he had not met the board's points trajectory. What Coyle would give now to have 18 points from 18 games after Christmas.
The return of Stuart Holden, one of Coyle's best signings and excellent last season until his campaign was ended prematurely, is timely for Bolton and he will get better as he steps up his comeback from a long-term knee injury.
Coyle consistently insists England international Gary Cahill could play for any club in the top four but needs him to start proving it on a regular basis.
But it will be the upcoming games against Wigan, Sunderland, Swansea, Stoke and West Brom that will determine whether Coyle is in charge of a club in crisis, or one that is simply a victim of an unforgiving fixture list.
Arsenal 3 Bolton 0: Robin Van Persie Strikes Twice in Confidence-boosting Win
by Ian WinrowFiled under: Arsenal, Bolton, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Robin Van Persie struck twice as Arsenal showed signs of a return to form with a comfortable win over a struggling Bolton side reduced to ten men by the dismissal of David Wheater.
Arsene Wenger's side stuttered their way through the first half but Van Persie fired them ahead immediately after the restart. Wheater was dismissed for a foul on Walcoot in the 55th minute and from that moment the game was effectively over.
Van Persie flicked home his second in the 71st minute and Alex Song confirmed the victory in the 89th minute.
GOALS:
47 mins: Robin van Persie catches out Jussi Jaaskelainen from a tight angle after being sent clear by Aaron Ramsey's pass.
71 mins: Van Persie turns home Theo Walcott's cross with a neat flick.
89 min: Alex Song completes the scoring with a powerful shot.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
2 mins: Arsenal's back four is soon caught out when Darren Pratley heads on Martin Petrov's free kick and it takes a full-length dive from Wojciech Szczesny to deny David Ngog's volley.
7 mins: Gervinho wastes a great opportunity when he is sent clear of the Bolton defence but the forward overruns the ball, allowing Jussi Jasskelainen to save.
9 mins: Robin van Persie sends a curling free kick inches wide.
34 mins: Gervinho cuts in from the left and fires narrowly over from the edge of the Bolton area.
45 mins: David Wheater's block denies Van Persie's shot.
55 mins: Wheater is sent off for holding Walcott back.
67 mins: Jaaskelainen denied Van Persie's header with a good save.
78 mins: Walcott shows Jaaskelainen too much of tyhe ball after breaking clear.
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REACTION:
Arsene Wenger admitted his side initially suffered a hangover from the defeat at Blackburn but that the result was never in doubt:
"It was a question of nerves at the start of the game and patience. And intelligence.
"I think we controlled the whole game even if Szczesny made a good save at the start of the game. But in the second half I could not see Bolton scoring a goal. And when they were down to ten it made it even more difficult for them."
On Van Persie's contribution?
"I think he is one of these guys who develops with responsibilities. You would think he is not naturally at the start but he really grows well into the role. I have observed him and he does well there."
Owen Coyle was uncertain whether Wheater's red card was justified:
"Whether there was real contact I don't know. I will need to see it back with David Wheater but Walcott looked as though he was ready and there was some sort of collision and if David's pulled him back,
"We all understand the rules if it was a goal scoring opportunity but I will need to look back at it. There certainly looked like there to some sort of contact."
On Gary Cahill's absence:
"He has not been well. He did not travel with us. That was a huge blow because we are a better team with him in it. Stuart Holden as well there was a little bit of puffiness in his knee which we couldn't take a chance on to cause any ill effect.
On his side's predicament:
"We can't feel sorry for ourselves have to work hard and do something about and that's what we have to do.
"We have played four of the top six, or who I think will finish in the top six. We have Chelsea next week. That wil be five. So its a tough set of fixtures."
WHAT IT MEANS:
Wenger's side were fortunate they faced a Bolton side who were so meek and willing to allow Arsenal to play their way back into something resembling their normal form. There is still a long way go go before they are back to their best and defensively they remain suspect, but confidence will grow after this result. Bolton look in desperate trouble and will go sown unless they improve dramatically. Tellingly, they provided weaker opposition than Shrewsbury had done five days earlier.
ARSENAL 3 (Van Persie 46, 71, Song 89) BOLTON WANDERERS 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny 7; Sagna 6, Koscielny 6, Mertesacker 6, Gibbs 7; Ramsey 6, Song 7; Walcott 5, Arteta 8 (Rosicky 6,82), Gervinho 6 (Arshavin 6,80); Van Persie 9 (Chamakh 6,86).
Subs (not used): Fabianski, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Frimpong.
Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen 8; Steinsson 5, Knight 5, Wheater 4, Robinson 5; Petrov 5, Reo-Coker 6, Muamba 69 (Boyata 6,55), Pratley 6, Eagles 5 (M Davies 6,70); Ngog 6 (K Davies 5, 20).
Subs (not used): Bogdan, Tuncay, Gardner, Kakuta.
ATTENDANCE: Tbc
REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg
NEXT UP:
- Arsenal v Olympiakos (home), Premier League 28/09, 1945 BST
- Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea (home), Premier League 02/10, 1330 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Robin van Persie (Arsenal): Confirmed his value with two goals and was a constant threat. Arsenal would be in trouble without him.
Arsenal v Bolton Preview: Title Race Not Over, Insists Arsene Wenger
by Darren WitcoopFiled under: Arsenal, Bolton, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: EMIRATES STADIUM, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBERB 24, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
Another quiet week in an uneventful season for Arsenal. If only.
The midweek Carling Cup victory over Shrewsbury was greeted with relief and spared Arsene Wenger further discomfort but, having been publicly backed by Ivan Gazidis, the club's chief executive, before the game, the manager's position was again the focus of debate.
Wenger insists he accepts criticism as part of the job but is increasingly frustrated at the speed which judgements are formed about the performance of himself and his players. He has also made it clear he is realistic enough to know it will be results that settle any arguments about whether the club is moving in the right direction.
On that count, it would be hard to make a case for progress with only one win in five league game, increasing the pressure on this meeting with a Bolton side currently bereft of confidence and without a point since the opening day.
The presence of Gary Cahill in the Wanderers line-up will also concentrate minds on Wenger's transfer policy this summer. Arsenal's late bid for the England centre back was dismissed by Bolton as derisory and Wenger then opted to bring in Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen.
The Germany international has so far failed to plug the gaps in the Gunners' defence and an impressive performance from Cahill is likely to encourage Wenger to revive his interest in January.
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Key Match-up: Robin van Persie v Gary Cahill: Attention has been trained on Arsenal's defensive problems but they have hardly been in shining form up front where Van Persie has too often laboured alone. Cahill has the pace to match the Holland forward but must avoid a lapse of concentration if he is to win this personal battle.
Form Guide: The last home league game against Swansea produced Arsenal only win of the Premier League season and was quickly eclipsed by last weekend's defeat at Blackburn. Bolton have lost, not unexpectedly, to both Manchester clubs and Liverpool but last weekend's home defeat to Norwich was particularly painful.
Odds: Arsenal 4/9, Bolton 13/2, draw 10/3
ARSENAL:
As disappointing as Arsenal's start has been, Wenger refuses to concede his side is already out of the running for the Premier League title despite already lying eleven points behind leaders Manchester United.
He accepts, though, that his side's current standing in the race is causing him concern. "Of course I am worried," he told a media briefing. "It is absolutely not realistic not to be worried when you have a team like Manchester United in front of you.
"The only thing we can do is focus on our performances, win our games and hope they will drop some points at some stage. For us, at the moment, we have to be realistic. Let's not look too much at Manchester United and win our next game."
And he added: "What is important for us is to give absolutely everything to do it. At the moment it is too early to speak about that. Let's come back to a better distance with the top teams before we speak about that. If the team gets momentum, we can be very strong."
The Premier League aside, Wenger believes his side has suffered because of the demands already placed on them by the Champions League.
"I still believe we paid a very heavy price for the Udinese game, where we didn't get any credit at all," he said. "Today, they are top of the league. We had to give absolutely everything at Dortmund and in the second half at Blackburn you could see that.
"Our start of the season was disturbed by the transfers and by the fact that we had to qualify for the Champions League. We lost a lot of energy in these games."
Strategy: Bolton are well practised at unsettling Arsenal and Mertesacker will face his most testing examination yet against Kevin Davies. Wanderers have been poor this season, however, and if Arsenal fail to establish midfield superiority over Coyle's side, Wenger's mood will darken further.
Injury Update: Aaron Ramsey and Bacary Sagna trained on Friday morning while Tomas Rosicky is fit again. Yossi Benayoun, Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen and Abou Diaby are out.
BOLTON WANDERERS:
Owen Coyle, who called his struggling Bolton team in for extra training the aftermath of their Premier League loss to Norwich, reckons hard work is the only way his side can fight their way out of the current slump.
Bolton have failed to enjoy a win since the opening-day and lie just foot place off the foot of the table.
But the Bolton manager said: "Regardless of who it is, no-one in football enjoys losing games or under-performing for whatever reason.
"When you lose a game, you have to go away and look extensively at everything.
"I'm totally understanding of where we are as a football club and I certainly don't want to be second bottom in the league.
"I think because of the tough start we had, everyone would have perceived that Norwich would have been a great three points. If we had got them, we would be quite content with six points from the first five games.
"But we didn't. And how do you react to that? You get back and work hard."
In the opposite dugout, Arsene Wenger's position at Arsenal has also come under some scrutiny after the Gunners' worst start to a season for 58 years.
But Coyle is at a loss to explain why Wenger has come under such heavy fire.
He added: "We understand how football works but for me, it's absolutely ridiculous.
"He's one of the best managers football has ever been lucky enough to have.
"But we know the nature of the game and Arsene will as well. But if he left Arsenal then I'd suggest there would be nobody else out there better to do the job.
"He's an outstanding manager and he's shown that year after year with his players and in the way they play."
Strategy: Expect Coyle to pack his midfield and revert to a 4-5-1 formation in a bid to stop the rot. He will look to grind out at least a point and an early goal would help them achieve that - as well as heap the pressure on the Arsenal players given their poor start to the season.
Injury Update: Coyle may opt to rest Stuart Holden, who has just returned after six months out, while Sam Ricketts and Sean Davis are among the long-term absentees. Ivan Klasnic is suspended.
Aston Villa 0 Bolton 2: Alex McLeish’s Carling Cup Reign Ended by Trotters
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Bolton, Carling Cup, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Chris Eagles and Gael Kakuta strikes killed Alex McLeish's dream of back-to-back Carling Cups as Bolton cruised past Aston Villa in their third-round clash at Villa Park.
McLeish might have managed to end Birmingham's silverware drought last year but he and his team were booed off here after a nightmare display from the home team.
It was a welcome victory for Scottish counterpart Owen Coyle, though, after four straight league defeats for his Trotters team.
It took until the 87th minute for Villa to finally register an attempt on target, prompting ironic cheers from the home supporters, however the mood soon darkened at the final whistle upon confirmation of McLeish's first defeat.
THE GOALS:
54 mins: Marc Albrighton inadvertently diverts a cross-field pass into the path of Eagles and he cuts inside before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top-left corner.
77 mins: Kakuta makes certain when he drills a shot low into the bottom corner from inside the area from a Kevin Davies knock-down.
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THE HIGHLIGHTS:
6 mins: Chris Eagles crosses from the left for Gael Kakuta, however his goalbound effort is bravely blocked by Stephen Warnock.
35 mins: David Wheater's header from an Eagles corner cannons off the outside of the right post.
87 mins: Villa hit the target for the first time in the match when defender James Collins' shot from long range is parried by Adam Bogdan.
Aston Villa v Bolton Preview: Stuart Holden’s Return Lifts Owen Coyle
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Bolton, Carling Cup, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
CARLING CUP: VILLA PARK, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1945 BST
While chalking up a Carling Cup victory this week might not figure particularly highly up some of their managerial counterparts' list of priorities, that is by no means the case for both Aston Villa's Alex McLeish and Bolton's Owen Coyle.
Villa might not have been beaten yet this season, yet they have won just one of their five Premier League matches and the final whistle at Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle was greeted with boos from some sections of supporters.
That is nothing compared to the problems Coyle is facing up to, however, with the Trotters having failed to pick up a point since the opening day of the season - leaving them in the bottom three.
The latest disappointment came at home to Norwich on Saturday when the Trotters slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat to the newly-promoted Canaries, leaving Coyle under pressure and badly in need of a result.
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Achieving that goal will not be easy, however, with McLeish having made Villa tough to beat and, having won the competition with Birmingham last season, the Scot has already made it clear he is no mood to give up the trophy.
Key Match-Up: Gabriel Agbonlahor v Zat Knight. These two players are well acquainted with one another having played together at Villa and, on current evidence, Knight faces a daunting night against Agbonlahor, who is one of the form players in the division. The striker has already scored three times this season - equalling his entire return in the Premier League last term - and his electric pace has the potential to cause the Trotters rearguard major problems.
Form Guide: Villa have drawn four of their first five Premier League games and remain unbeaten, but the Trotters are on a dismal run of four straight league defeats.
Odds: Aston Villa 5/6, Bolton 7/2, Draw 13/5
ASTON VILLA:
Villa goalkeeper Shay Given believes a victory in the Carling Cup clash would help them build momentum in the league.
He said: "We were disappointed in the changing room after the Newcastle match because it felt like a loss.
"But we move on to Tuesday night and if we can get a win in the Cup it breeds confidence leading into the QPR game on Sunday."
The summer signing from Manchester City starred against his former Magpies employers on Saturday and admitted he is thrilled with his own form.
He added: "I am delighted. It is important to be playing more. I was extremely frustrated last season not to be playing more. I am just delighted to be back out there.
"Aston Villa is a great club and I am really happy to be here and to be playing football again."
Strategy: Villa's injury problems are likely to make McLeish's selection and tactical decisions more straightforward. The Villa manager switched to a 4-4-2 formation on Saturday from the 4-2-3-1 previously used but, following a disappointing display and with absentees in attack, he is likely to revert to the latter. Marc Albrighton and Stephen Ireland will almost certainly be beneficiaries.
Injury Update: Stiliyan Petrov (ankle), Stephen Warnock (hip) and Darren Bent (groin) are all doubts. Emile Heskey (hamstring) and Carlos Cuellar (knee) are definitely out, while loan signing Jermaine Jenas is battling to recover from a thigh problem as he awaits his debut. Ciaran Clark is also battling to recover in time.
BOLTON:
Coyle has not had too much to cheer lately but Stuart Holden's return to senior action could not be better timed.
United States midfielder Holden makes his first start since rupturing knee ligaments against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March.
Coyle admits Bolton have missed Holden's experience.
But he is wary of placing any extra pressure on the 25-year-old's shoulders.
Coyle said: "Stuart has obviously been out for a long time and this game gives him the opportunity to play against Premier League opponents.
"We all concede that we look a better team when he plays and agree that he was one of the top midfielders in the Premier League last season, but I don't want to place any extra burden on him.
"He has played two parts of a reserve game - against Fulham and Rochdale - and then he got through the full 90 minutes against Arsenal last week.
"There is no doubt he is getting stronger day by day and this tie we will get a really good idea of where his fitness levels are at."
Strategy: The likes of keeper Adam Bogdan and David Wheater are likely to get a rare run chance to impress ahead of Saturday's game at Arsenal. Coyle has made it clear that places are up for grabs for the weekend after a dreadful run of form. Whoever the manager fields, the team desperately requires a lift if only to appease fans after nine defeats in 10 league games.
Bolton 1 Norwich 2: Rare Away Win for Canaries Piles Pressure on Owen Coyle
by Jason MellorFiled under: Bolton, Norwich, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Two goals in the space of five first-half minutes secured Norwich a first top flight away victory in 17 years to pile the pressure on Bolton manager Owen Coyle.
Close-range finishes from Anthony Pilkington and Bradley Johnson proved too much for the 10-man Trotters, who had forward Ivan Klasnic sent off before the break.
It wasn't all plain sailing for Paul Lambert's newly-promoted side.
The Canaries' penalty curse struck again, as they conceded a fifth penalty in as many games to see Martin Petrov reduce the deficit from the spot.
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But they hung on comfortably enough to make it nine defeats in the last 10 Premier League games for Bolton, who they leap-frog in the table thanks to a first win of the campaign.
THE GOALS
37 mins: Pilkington stabs the ball home from a yard via Jussi Jaakelainen and Tuncay on the line as Bolton fail to deal with a David Fox corner. (0-1)
42 mins: Johnson easily out-jumps a static Dedryck Boyata to head the second from a Fox free-kick. (0-2)
64 mins: Petrov halves the arrears from the penalty spot - the fifth conceded by Norwich this season - after Leon Barnett's foul on substitute David Ngog. (1-2)
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
7 mins: Jaaskelainen tips over a shot from Elliott Bennett.
9 mins: Jaaskelainen blocks a Steve Morison shot after the forward was flagged offside, only for referee Howard Webb to wave play on.
33 mins: John Ruddy's fingertips divert Petrov's cross to safety, denying an unmarked Kevin Davies a free header on an unguarded net.
45 mins: Klasnic sees red for a headbutt on Marc Tierney which the defender made rather a meal of.
69 mins: Morison comes within inches of restoring the two-goal advantage with a shot on the turn after beating Zat Knight.
90 mins: Ruddy produces fingertip save to deny Ngog's header.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Joy for Norwich with a first top flight victory on the road in 33 attempts spanning 17 years. Bolton slide ever nearer to danger. They've now shipped 13 goals in four straight league defeats since the opening day victory at QPR.
REACTION
Coyle refused to make excuses following a damaging defeat:
"We might have been a bit unlucky not to get a draw but that's getting away from the point. We had a fantastic home record last season but we've come unstuck.
"It might have been different but for their keeper making a fantastic late save.
"To concede the goals from two set plays isn't good enough. There's got to be some sort of challenge on the ball and we've not done well enough in that department.
"We're all designated players to mark. It was a very disappointing day and we need to do much better from start to finish."
On concerns about the current run:
"I'm disappointed to lose at home. We always knew we were going to have a hard start to the season but that's the case for teams up and down the country.
"My concern is us conceding soft goals. These were self-inflicted but even at two down I thought we had a chance, we could get them in at half-time and get the lads sorted."
On the sending off:
"It was an act of folly from Ivan. We all know the rules whether there's contact or not. I'd need to see it back but there's always a chance to receive a red card for putting your head in like that.
"It gave us a mountain to climb but we stuck at it and battled away and the boy has produced a wonder save to deny us late on."
Lambert felt his side were good value for their rare top flight away victory.
"We played very well and deserved to win. I'm delighted with the lads."
On breaking that long away duck:
"It's never really bothered me and I've always had confidence in them. It's testament to the lads the way they play the game.
"I wasn't here back in 1994 so it's a record that's never really bothered me to be honest. I don't take a lot of notice of things like that."
On making six changes:
"Every decision you make is hard. I try to pick a team to win a game and to do the best for the football club. I explained them to the lads, they know exactly why I do it and to be fair to them they've been brilliant.
"The lads who came in I expected them to perform, that's how much faith and trust I have in them. I took a couple of lads out of the firing line as well."
On conceding their latest penalty:
"I think it was a penalty, I've seen it again and it looks like a penalty but it's something we can't keep doing."
On the sending off:
"He's head-butted him and the laws of the game are such that if you stick your head in then it gives the referee an easy decision to make."
On the struggle against 10 men:
"The onus is always on the home team and in any case this is always a hard place to come. We expected Bolton to come out in the second half and give us everything they had.
"We were comfortable until the penalty. Until that point we were comfortable but once it went in we were on the back foot for 10 minutes but we stuck at it well."
On victories for all three promoted teams:
"The three teams that came up are very good and are more than capable of trying to hold their own. We've all earned the right to play at this level and environment."
On the Norwich fans:
"They've been brilliant since I arrived here, right from League one and they always make it a great occasion for us by turning up in their numbers."
On Coyle's predicament:
"They've played Liverpool and both Manchester sides. What he's done here has been fantastic. It's a really tough, tough place to come and he's done brilliantly here with Bolton."
Bolton v Norwich Preview: Owen Coyle Demands Response After Heavy Defeat
by Graham ChaseFiled under: Bolton, Norwich, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: REEBOK STADIUM, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
The feeling may not be unique, but both these two teams go into this match believing they should be higher in the table than they are.
Bolton opened the season with a thumping 4-0 victory at QPR but have been frustrated with defeats to Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United since.
Owen Coyle remains adamant that his team were not five goals worse than the champions last weekend but, all the same, the visit of Paul Lambert's team offers some respite.
His fellow Scot is going through similar emotions to Coyle's experiences with Burnley two years ago.
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Norwich has just two points on the board despite feeling they have acquitted themselves well in their opening four matches.
There is no question that both managers would take an average performance and three points, which would make the table distinctly easier on the eye.
Key Match-Up: Kevin Davies v Leon Barnett. Bolton's captain hit the headlines last week following a challenge that resulted in Manchester United's Tom Cleverley suffering a foot injury. He remains the pivot to the majority of Bolton's attacking play and will be desperate to pick up his second goal of the campaign against the Canaries. Barnett is likely to be the man tasked with stopping the striker from giving Bolton that platform.
Form Guide: Since their opening day win, Bolton have lost three on the bounce in the Premier League, although they have been against teams that will believe they can finish in the top four. Norwich started their season with a draw at Wigan and a home draw against Stoke, put in a decent showing in their 3-1 defeat at Chelsea and then lost 1-0 to West Brom last weekend.
Odds: Bolton 8/11, Norwich 4/1, Draw 13/5
BOLTON:
It is hard to imagine anything other than Coyle being supremely positive but the visit of Norwich is already a key match.
After three straight defeats, they host Lambert's side and they face a trip to Aston Villa in the Carling Cup before heading to Arsenal and a home game against Chelsea.
The demands of the Premier League are relentless but Coyle knows how important this game can be.
Victory would buy plenty of patience over another tough run of games through October but anything else would see a little bit of pressure build and certainly cause Bolton to slip into the bottom quarter of the table.
The Scot is considering shuffling his team after suffering a heavy defeat to United last weekend.
"The great thing is we have a few options now, as opposed to not having that last season," he said. "That's something we'll look at, as you always do week to week.
"We made a few changes against United but time will tell whether we need more. We do have players now we know can step into the breach, so that's what we'll look to do.
"In an attacking sense we were fine. It was against the ball, and it was rare for us because we are usually good against the ball. We didn't do that well enough.
"We have to look at that game and know we can defend better than that."
Strategy: Coyle will stick with a 4-4-2 and, with Davies sure to start in attack, it also appears improbably that Ivan Klasnic will be dropped after scoring three goals in four games. Chris Eagles and Martin Petrov are likely to continue on the flanks.
Injury Update: Stuart Holden may feature on the bench for the first time after six months out with a broken leg but may have to wait for the Carling Cup next week for any meaningful action. Marcos Alonso is out with a foot injury, while Chung-Yong Lee, Tyrone Mears, Sam Ricketts and Sean Davis are long-term absentees.
Premier League Text Commentary: Bolton v Manchester United As It Happened
by JP ShawFiled under: Bolton, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Min-By-Min Reports
Minute-by-minute commentary from the Reebok Stadium.
Bolton 0 Manchester United 5: Wayne Rooney Leads Rout With Hat-trick
by FanHouse UKFiled under: Bolton, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Manchester United blew Bolton away at the Reebok Stadium and reclaimed top spot in the Premier League after losing it to Manchester City for just a few hours.
Wayne Rooney's second consecutive hat-trick and a double from strike-partner Javier Hernandez took United's goal tally to 18 in just four games, as the champions signalled their intent to claim a record 20th league title.
THE GOALS:
5 mins: Wayne Rooney finds Nani on the right and the Portuguese's cross was met by the in-rushing Javier Hernandez, who beats Jussi Jaaskelainen at the near post. (0-1)
20 mins: Phil Jones exchanges passes with Nani after throw-in and Rooney finishes the cross after reaching the ball ahead of Cahill and Boyata. (0-2)
25 mins: Jones races through home defence unchallenged. His shot is saved by Jaaskelainen's legs but Rooney taps in his second of the game from the rebound. (0-3)
59 mins: Nani's dribble into the box works an opening for Michael Carrick, whose shot is blocked, only for Hernandez to knock in his side's fourth. (0-4)
68 mins: Nani works his creative magic again by pulling the ball back for Rooney to complete his hat-trick with a right-footed effort from 20-yards. (0-5)
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
7 mins: Chris Eagles is denied a certain equaliser when his effort is cleared off the line by Rooney.
8 mins: Carrick introduced to the game in place of injured Tom Cleverley, who was hurt in a challenge from Kevin Davies moments before first goal.
13 mins: Kevin Davies finally finds his way into Andre Marriner's notebook after a reckless tackle on United defender Patrice Evra.
27 mins: Hernandez thought he had added United's fourth until the referee's assistant correctly adjudged him to be offside.
32 mins: In-form Ivan Klasnic should have made more of a chance at the far post.
43 mins: Nani injured in a clash of heads with team-mate Jones and needs treatment.
53 mins: Nigel Reo-Coker hits the crossbar with long-range strike from acute angle.
67 mins: David De Gea's long kick not dealt with by Jaaskelainen and Hernandez almost scores from the loose ball. His goalbound effort is blocked by Zat Knight.
69 mins: Rooney tees up Hernandez for his hat-trick but the Mexican can't quite make contact with his strike-partner's inviting cross.
WHAT IT MEANS: Whatever City can do, it seems that United will thrive in at least emulating and the old rivals have already managed 33 goals between them in four matches each. United ripped Bolton apart at the Reebok and it is sure to be a thrilling title race. Rooney is in superb form, while Hernandez continued where he left off last season. Owen Coyle may argue that his team contributed to their own downfall but they will be glad of some respite with a home game against Norwich this week, after conceding 10 goals in three defeats against Manchester City, Liverpool and United.
REACTION:
Rooney felt United could have won by an even wider margin:
"It could have been a lot more. I'm delighted to score a hat trick again. It was my first start with Chichi (Javier Hernandez) and we both scored.
On his flying start to the season:
"I had a lot of time to rest and get a good pre-season under my belt. I've stayed clear of injuries and started off well.
"The win was a bit easier than we thought."
Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Rooney after he equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's tally of seven United hat-tricks:
"That's a tremendous level to talk about, but it's a fantastic achievement considering he's only 25 and has many years in front of him. I'm sure he will break it."
On Bolton's approach:
"We kept playing our football. We're better at that. We withstood the challenges."
On Phil Jones
"He's an exceptionally good young player. He's improving all the time. He can play anywhere really."
On being top:
"We've got the big names coming up, with Chelsea next Sunday. It's a hectic time and if we can come out of it, we'll have done well."
Coyle insisted Bolton only had themselves to blame for the manner of their defeat:
"They were ruthless and clinical and took their chances very well but without the goals, Jussi had two saves in the game.
"Ultimately there are the goals and the margin of victory but I thought that the margin of victory was harsh on us on the balance of the game.
"We had double the shots and treble the crosses and everything else. David De Gea made some great saves in the game and Manchester United were clinical with the chances that came their way.
"If you allow easy crosses to come into your box like we did with Hernandez and Rooney, world-class operators, then you're going to be punished.
"To allow that to happen after four minutes, you're on the back-foot. As good as Manchester United were, we shot ourselves in the foot against the ball.
"With the ball we created lots chances but we can't allow easy balls in the box without putting people under pressure and it was too easy."
On being beaten by United and City:
"They're both terrific teams. City have spent £300 million since they came in, United spent enormous sums of money in the summer as well to bring in good players to the club so there's no doubt when you have that wealth at your disposal it makes it easier to get world-class players in your team and the form their in just now, both sides, they're pleasing on the eye and scoring lots of goals so it's going to be a fantastic title race this year again, no doubt about it.
On his team's approach:
"Kevin Davies picked up a yellow card so that's what the referee is there to deal with."
BOLTON 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 5 (Hernandez 5, 59, Rooney 20, 25, 68)
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PLAYER MARKING:
Bolton (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 4; Boyata 5, Cahill 5, Knight 5, Robinson 4; Eagles 6 (Pratley 61, 6), Reo-Coker 6, M Davies 5, Petrov 6; Klasnic 6 (Tuncay 74, 6), K Davies 5 (Ngog 65, 6)
Subs (not used): Bogdan, Muamba, Kakuta, Wheater
Manchester United (4-4-2): De Gea 7; Jones 8, Ferdinand 7, Evans 7 (Smalling 61, 6), Evra 6; Nani 8, Cleverley 6 (Carrick 8, 7), Anderson 7, Young 6 (Giggs 61, 6); Rooney 9, Hernandez 8
Subs (not used): Berbatov, Park, Fabio, Lindegaard
Bolton v Manchester United Preview: David De Gea Faces Another Test
by Darren WitcoopFiled under: Bolton, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: REEBOK STADIUM, SATUDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1730 BST
Having just been on the receiving end of clinical finishing from Manchester City and Liverpool, Owen Coyle must have wanted to shut his eyes and hope it was all a bad dream as he watched their next opponents in action.
Coyle witnessed Manchester United blow away Arsenal in emphatic style last time out, scoring eight goals, in the rout.
Now the Bolton manager will be praying his side don't become the latest team to come a cropper against the free-scoring Red Devils.
The only saving grace for Bolton, who could have the biggest attendance at the Reebok in five years, is that the international break may have halted Manchester United's rampaging start.
Otherwise, there is likely to be only one winner given the form Sir Alex Ferguson side's have already shown.
But Ferguson will realise this is no walkover.
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Bolton have a good record against the big guns, especially on home soil, and will take heart from their draw in the resulting fixture last season. Given the start Manchester United have made, Coyle would certainly take a repeat result now.
Key Match-Up: Gary Cahill v Wayne Rooney: Just days ago, these two were England team-mates. Now they are direct rivals - and whoever comes out on top could go a long way to earning a positive result for their respective sides. Rooney has started the season in style, scoring seven goals already for club and country. But with Cahill remaining at the Reebok until at least January, he will have to be switched on and at the top of his game here.
Form Guide: Bolton, who made a winning start to the season at QPR, have since fallen to successive defeats against Manchester City and Liverpool. Manchester United have set the pace following a 100 per cent start - after scoring 13 goals in just three games.
Odds: Bolton 8/1, Manchester United 2/5, Draw 7/2
BOLTON:
Kevin Davies has set his sights on bringing new Manchester United defender Phil Jones back down to earth after his meteoric rise.
Jones, 19, has caught the eye since joining Man United from Blackburn in an £16.5million deal this summer.
He has stepped in to replace injured defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and has also been rewarded with an England call-up.
But Bolton striker Davies wants to give the young star a torrid time at the Reebok.
He said: "He's a big strong boy, so it's the kind of game I'll look forward to.
"I relish these kind of challenges. He's coming on as a player but he's still young, so I'll be looking to give him a going over.
Bolton team-mate Stuart Holden took another step towards a first-team comeback after starring for the reserves in midweek.
Ironically, the USA international midfielder has been out since suffering a knee injury in Bolton's last game against Manchester United six months ago.
Bolton manager Coyle added: "It's great to have him back.
"I think he has probably been getting a little bit frustrated because he thinks he can click his fingers after being out for six months and get back at the level he was at.
"It takes time to build up that fitness and your decision-making in a game, but he is getting there."
Strategy: Bolton collected one point from their two league games against Manchester United last season, But they will feel it should have been many more. They missed golden late chances and were denied at the death at Old Trafford. Coyle packed his midfield on those occasions and expect him to do the same here as he looks to keep the in-form Red Devils quiet.
Injury Update: Holden could make his return after being sidelined since March. Sam Ricketts, Sean Davis, Chung-Yong Lee and Tyrone Mears are all long-term absentees.
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Grading the Transfer Window: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Bolton, Chelsea
by FanHouse UKFiled under: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton, Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Team Reviews, Transfer News
The final hours of the transfer window were met with the usual feeding frenzy of shocks, sightings, rumours and tales of helicopters ferrying bewildered players from training ground to training ground.
Not every club was involved in last minute brinksmanship and there were some managers who were able to sit back and watch the fun unfold while taking an occasional peep through their office blinds at the windswept Sky Sports News reporter positioned on the pavement outside, just in case.
Yet no matter how clubs chose to do their business, the outcome was the same; three months of trading had come to an end and between now and the end of January, what you see on the back of your matchday programme is what you get.
So who were the winners and losers after the latest round of that peculiar version of fantasy football that's actually played with real money?
We think some managers have every reason to feel smug while others face an anxious wait to see whether their gambles have come off and here in our first instalment of club by club reports, FanHouse UK looks at the dealings of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea and decide whether they have passed or failed the transfer test.
In part two, we look at the dealings of Everton, Fulham, Manchester City and Manchester United. Read it here.
ARSENAL
Arsenal supporters have not seen a deadline day like it - but then again nor had they previously needed to. One by one their favouries left the Emirates Stadium without being replaced in one of the most frustrating summers in the club's history. The losses of Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri were lamented, the removal of fringemen Emmanuel Eboue, Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson less so and it all added up to a last-minute frenzy. Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta looked to be exactly what the Gunners needed but the jury is likely to remain out for a while on Gervinho, Yossi Benayoun, Andre Santos and Park Chu-young however, while Carl Jenkinson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are currently immune to censure because of their lack of years.
Highlight: Getting a player of the quality of Arteta to come at the eleventh hour - and a player of Mertesacker's quality to come at all.
Lowlight: The long, drawn-out agony of Fabregas and Nasri's departures. Why did it all take so long, Arsene? Why the late rush to replace?
Grade: In the end a pass, just: C
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ASTON VILLA
Alex McLeish has been forced to tread a financial tightrope as Randy Lerner attempts to slash the wage bill, however the Scot has still succeeded in bringing in some quality additions on a limited budget. The window began badly for Villa with crown jewels Ashley Young and Stewart Downing departing. The pair will be missed, of that there is no doubt, the question is exactly how much. Charles N'Zogbia and Jermaine Jenas should help fill that void, while Alan Hutton and Shay Given are younger and equally accomplished replacements for Brad Friedel and Luke Young. Question marks linger, however, over the size of the squad following the release of a raft of players, including Nigel Reo-Coker and John Carew.
Highlight: Persuading Given to join in a bargain £3.5 million move.
Lowlight: On the basis of his early United form, Ashley Young will be a huge miss.
Grade: B-minus
BOLTON WANDERERS
Owen Coyle bolstered his attacking options with two new deadline-day signings arriving at the Reebok - but it was the man who stayed put who quite rightly snatched all the headlines. England defender Gary Cahill, despite strong interest from Tottenham, remains a Bolton player and for Coyle that must feel as good as a new arrival. The Bolton manager refused to budge on his valuation of the player, rejecting straight cash as well as the likes of Sebastian Bassong and David Bentley in part exchange. In the end, the only business done was the £4 million capture of David N'Gog and the loan signing of Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta, who joined recent acquisition Tuncay. And even though long-term target Shaun Wright-Phillips opted to head down south, Coyle was the real winner in keeping hold of Cahill until January.
Highlight: Somehow keeping Cahill out of the clutches of the rest - despite Bolton's highly publicised debt problems.
Lowlight: Seeing Wright-Phillips opt for QPR ahead of the Reebok.
Grade: B
BLACKBURN ROVERS
No Kaka. No Ronaldinho. No David Beckham. No Raul. But Scott Dann's £7.7 million eleventh hour arrival from Birmingham has at least proved that Blackburn can attract talent. Dann might not be as high-profile as some of the targets the club's Indian owners Venky's have failed to lure to Ewood Park. But he is still something of a coup while Yakubu's arrival from Everton is more of a gamble. However, the 28-year-old is unlikely to be worse than Roque Santa Cruz, who failed to score in 10 appearances on loan in the second half of last season.
Highlight: In addition to Dann's arrival, El Hadji Diouf's departure is a plus.
Lowlight: Targeting Raul and ending up with egg on their face - again.
Grade: C