Leeds hope to address their alarming festive slump at home to Bolton this afternoon, will 2013 be a case of ringing in the new?

Leeds went into the festive period as THE Championship form team and a battling win over Middlesbrough on December 22nd took us to within a point of the play-off places.

However disaster struck first at Forest on Boxing Day and then Hull where Leeds were totally outplayed in both matches and Neil Warnock's tactics and team selections came under scrutiny -one fan site did a poll this week and reckons that 71% of United fans want him out!

Warnock will seek solace in the January transfer window, it is understood that Shaun Harvey has been working to put a deal in place to bring Michael Tonge back from Stoke City however that is unlikely to be in place before the weekend. The recurring link to QPR's veterans Shaun Derry and Clint Hill has emerged yet again now the window has reopened.

Effectively we could say goodbye to Alan Tate and Jerome Thomas today as their loan deals expire after this afternoons encounter with the Trotters. Warnock is understood to want to extend their loan deals at the very least, however given their recent form and fitness it would not be the hammer-blow we anticipated before Christmas should their parent clubs stubbornly refuse to do business.

So basically Warnock has to choose from the squad that surrendered so feebly at the City Ground and the KC Stadium.

In defence, I'd expect he will revert to a flat back four rather than the three central defenders and wing backs that clearly flopped on Humberside. Aidy White is suspended so left back may see a return for either Lee Peltier if fit and Adam Drury.

Personally I'd go for Drury as Peltier has struggled there this season, Drury's role at the club has left me and many others baffled as he does not seem to get a regular run in the side to give him a chance to prove himself.

If Peltier is fit, then he could also line up alongside Alan Tate in central defence, Warnock also has the option of Tom Lees or Jason Pearce. Sam Byram, being linked with a big money Premiership move has looked a little jaded in recent weeks so maybe Warnock will consider using Peltier or Lees at right-back?

In midfield I'd expect Paul Green and David Norris to start. Warnock could also bring back rested duo Jerome Thomas and El Hadji Diouf. Ryan Hall is another option. Rodolph Austin will be on the bench again I feel.

Up front it would not be any surprise to see Luciano Becchio restored, Warnock having "rested" him at Hull due to a thigh strain and the fact he was one booking away from a one match ban. My prediction is he will partner Ross McCormack with Davide Somma continuing his recovery from the bench.

Bolton have turned the corner somewhat under their new boss Dougie Freedman, a former student of Warnock at Crystal Palace and of course Warnock was kind enough to loan us the Scottish striker towards the end of the 2007/08 season where his six goals made him a cult hero as we moved into the League One playoffs.

I'm going for a 1-1 draw. I just cannot believe Leeds will be as poor again for a third match running, but Wanderers are in form and on the up.

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