by Max O’Collins and Paul Lopez – edit by Karl Hinchcliffe – implemented by Ryan Grant

Bolton v Everton Wednesday 29th October 2008 8:00pm Reebok stadium

Everton make the short trip over to Bolton on Wednesday. They will be looking to pick up a much needed win and will no doubt be buoyed by their second half showing against Manchester United.

FORM GUIDE

Everton picked up what may prove an invaluable point after a battling second half display against Manchester United last Saturday. None the less The Toffees have only picked up a meagre 3 points from the last 15 on offer. Hopefully the draw against the champions can revitalise the team and bring them back to winning ways. With Moyes contract now signed and players looking like they are returning to form the next few games present the opportunity to pick up points.

Having snatched a win away to West Ham after losing all their games in September, Bolton must have thought that their season was going to change for the better. However since then they have only managed a goalless draw at home to Blackburn and the Trotters gifted Spurs their first league win of the season last Sunday. Bolton have had a bad start and lie 17th, 1 point off the relegation zone. Their last game was the 2-0 loss to Spurs. Their last home fixture was the 0-0 draw to rivals Blackburn.

TEAM NEWS

The only fresh news coming out of the Everton camp is that Tim Cahill is available for selection after serving his 3 match suspension. Tony Hibbert may be in contention after failing a fitness test before the United game on Saturday but Yakubu is a doubt. Lars Jacobsen remains a long term absentee with a shoulder injury sustained playing for Denmark.

Cahill, Fellaini or both?

It was apparent on Saturday with the two men up top and 4 in midfield that we were able to create more chances. The front men didn’t have to wait for support from midfield before the attack could develop, and at times Yakubu and Saha managed to just stroll past the United defence passing it about, with the help of a third man, Marouane Fellaini.

Fellaini has been a little hit and miss since joining us – this though is too be expected from a young man joining a new club whilst also needing to adapt to a new culture. Saturday may have given us a glimpse into his capabilities. He played without fear, he was instrumental in the win not only because he was the scorer of the goal, but he put himself about. He broke up opposition play and created attacks. Mo looked every bit the dynamic, physical box to box player we have been crying out for.

Many have said before that Cahill can’t play in a 4-4-2. He is suited to a 4-5-1, playing just behind the front man. Moyes is therefore left in a dilemma. Does he play a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1? Does he revert back to playing a 4-5-1 with both Cahill and Fellaini in the middle? Or does he dare play a 4-4-2 with both Cahill and Fellaini?

We will know by 8.00p.m tomorrow and after then it’ll be history, but it is something to ponder. Whatever formation Moyes goes with hopefully it is the winning formula and the Blues can pick up a much needed win.

Bolton will be without the suspended former Everton player Gavin McCaan who picked up two yellows in the trip to Tottenham. Apart from that there are no new injury worries. It is probably fair to say that we will be in for a physical encounter regardless of who they field. Our backline will have to be up for the stern challenge that the likes of Nolan and Davies provide.

Teams

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Shittu, A O’Brien, Samuel, Gardner, Muamba, Nolan, J O’Brien, Smolarek, Elmander, Davies, Helguson, Riga, Hunt, Cohen, Fojut, Al Habsi.

Everton (from): Howard, Baines, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta, Cahill, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Vaughan, Saha, Anichebe, Yakubu, Nash, Rodwell, Valente, Jutkiewicz, Gosling, Baxter.

FE Prediction:

Optimist: 3-0 – if we can take the second half performance into this game Bolton may be on the wrong end of a walloping.

Pessimist: 1-1 – a dogged Bolton side defending for their lives after taking an early lead, they may well choose to go down their usual route of kicking anything or anyone who moves.

Comment on your predictions and opinions for tomorrow’s game below or why not join our forum?

by Max O’Collins and Paul Lopez

One Response »

1. Ryan Grant on October 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm:

   As they are both box to box players, I don’t see why he won’t play them both in a 4:4:2.

   Fellaini played along Osman against United and he certainly isn’t a defensive midfielder – Fellaini is a bit of both.

   Lets see.