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Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers visit Bloomfield Road tomorrow evening in Sky Bet League One.
The Trotters are rooted at the bottom of the table coming into the match, thanks to their points deduction at the start of the season due to financial problems at the football club.
Bolton are 20 points adrift of safety, picking up just five wins all season, the last coming at the start of February in a 2-0 home win over fellow relegation candidates Tranmere Rovers. They have lost their last four matches since that win.
Despite their position in the league table, performances have improved since the appointment of Keith Hill in September 2019. Before the 50-year-olds arrival, Bolton had picked up just one point from their opening five matches and conceded a whopping 22 goals, which included three consecutive 5-0 defeats against Tranmere Rovers, Ipswich Town and Gillingham.
The points were shared between these two sides earlier on in the season, with the Seasiders taking a single point from the University of Bolton Stadium in a 0-0 draw, which was live on Sky Sports.
Keith Hill was appointed manager of his hometown Club Bolton Wanderers in August 2019. The 50-year-old has nearly 15 years experience of management, having managed both Rochdale and Barnsley before joining the Trotters.
Hill’s success as manager comes from his two spells at Rochdale, where he has guided the Club to promotion to League One twice in 2010 and 2014, respectively.
Hill joined Bolton last summer following the Club’s relegation to League One. Despite starting the season on -12 points, the Club have given themselves faint hopes of league survival with victories over the likes of Fleetwood Town, Tranmere Rovers and Southend United in recent weeks.
The Star Man: Joe Dodoo
Ex-Seasider Joe Dodoo has been key to Bolton’s plans this season. He joined the Trotters in October 2019 following a spell at Rangers in Scotland. Since his arrival at the University of Bolton Stadium, Dodoo has four goals and three assists to his name. Only Darryl Murphy has scored more goals for Bolton than Dodoo this season.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bloomfield Road last season, making close to 20 league appearances for the Seasiders, and scoring a couple of goals.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Bolton Pre Match Thread on 12:51 - Feb 24 with 162 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Bolton Pre Match Thread on 12:54 - Feb 24 with 160 views
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Bolton Pre Match Thread on 16:39 - Feb 24 with 150 views
- Weaknesses Defending set pieces: Weak Defending against through ball attacks: Weak Protecting the lead: Weak Finishing scoring chances: Very Weak Stopping opponents from creating chances: Very Weak Defending against skillful players: Very Weak Avoiding fouling in dangerous areas: Very Weak
Bolton's Style of Play Attacking down the left Play the offside trap Non-aggressive Playing in their own half
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Blackpool's poor form since Christmas means their campaign is petering out into what looks like being a bottom-half finish. However, seven of the Seasiders' nine League One victories this term have come on home soil - including their previous five - and they have the added incentive of beating their local rivals here.
Bolton have reached the stage in their season where every single game is must-win. Keith Hill's make arrive at Bloomfield Road a monstrous 20 points from safety with just 16 points remaining and haven't picked up a point in any match on the road since holding promotion-chasing Sunderland to an impressive goalless draw on Boxing Day.
Prediction: Blackpool 1 - 0 Bolton
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
0
Bolton Pre Match Thread on 17:32 - Feb 24 with 138 views
David Dunn on Armand Gnanduillet's chances of being fit for Blackpool's clash against Bolton, plus updates on Jak Alnwick and Sullay Kaikai
Blackpool are likely to be without top goalscorer Armand Gnanduillet for a second game running when they host rivals Bolton Wanderers tomorrow night.
The 18-goal striker is still recovering from a hamstring injury that he suffered in the 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers.
The knock kept the Frenchman out of Saturday's trip to Kingsmeadow, where the Seasiders were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against AFC Wimbledon.
With Gary Madine playing with a slight knee issue, that leaves Pool light in attacking options.
In more positive news, Pool have no fresh injury doubts from the weekend according to caretaker boss David Dunn.
“Everyone is fine (that played at the weekend)," he revealed.
“Everyone we expect to be involved will be involved, so there will be no real changes from the weekend.
“We’re just getting some more feedback on the ones that are injured.
“It’s touch and go. It’s possible (they’ll be back) but it’s looking unlikely.”
Elsewhere, Ben Heneghan will serve the second match of his three-game suspension for the straight red he was shown in the defeat at Bristol Rovers.
The Seasiders will also be without injured pair Jak Alnwick (arm) and Sullay Kaikai (groin/abductor), who are long-term absentees.
On Alnwick's recovery, Dunn added: “He’s getting there, but he’s probably going to be a little while yet.
“But he’s certainly getting better.
“Sullay unfortunately had a reaction when he came out on the grass the other week, so we’re just looking after him and making sure he doesn’t break down again.
“He will be a good addition to the outfield players when he’s back, that’s for sure.”
‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’
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Bolton Pre Match Thread on 11:31 - Feb 25 with 128 views
Wanderers (4-3-3): Matthews, Emmanuel, Hobbs, Nsiala, Fleming, Lowe, L Murphy, Hamilton, Dodoo, D Murphy, Politic
OPPOSITION MANAGER
David Dunn - The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder was installed as caretaker boss on February 12 after the dismissal of Simon Grayson. He had a brief taste of management with Oldham Athletic between September 2015 and January 2016 and has been in charge at Bloomfield Road for two games, a defeat at Bristol Rovers and a draw at AFC Wimbledon.
Goalkeeper Chris Maxwell was delighted to finally keep a clean sheet at AFC Wimbledon, hoping the result has “stopped the rot” at Blackpool (Official Website)
David Dunn says his players “gave their all” in a 0-0 draw at AFC Wimbledon — the club’s first clean sheet in three months (Official Site)
Blackpool will play a game of patience when it comes to appointing a new manager with chief executive Ben Mansford claiming: “We want the right choice for the long term” (Blackpool Gazette)
WHO MAKES THEM TICK?
At the back: James Husband — No nonsense left-sided defender who is on loan for the season from Norwich City. Played in a back three at the weekend.
In the middle: Liam Feeney — Former Wanderers winger who has been virtually ever-present for the Tangerines and has 12 assists to his name.
Up front: Gary Madine — Bolton fans need no introduction to Madine, who top-scored in the club’s promotion season in 2016/17. Top target man.
THEY SAID IT
“As you know, football changes very quickly. But if I’m here, I’ll try and set the team up to win a game and do my best. As I’ve already stated, I don’t want the job.
“I enjoy coaching and I enjoy being on the grass, but a lot of the other stuff off the pitch and dealing with that, I’m a football person and at this moment in time I feel like I just want to concentrate on that.
“Who knows if I’d stay on? If a new manager comes in and wants to bring in his own backroom staff, then at least I can hold my head up and the club knows I’ve done all I can to help them” — David Dunn says he will stay at Blackpool as long as he is needed.
Paul Marsden - Lancashire referee who has given out 87 yellow cards and one red in his 26 games this season. His last encounter with Wanderers came on September 17 last year as Keith Hill’s side drew 0-0 at home against Oxford United.
FIXTURE TRENDS
Wanderers have not won a game at Bloomfield Road since 1977 when Frank Worthington and Neil Whatmore scored en route to promotion to the top flight.
Bolton have, however, lost just one of their last 10 meetings with Blackpool — that coming in the League Cup in 2016. Kaiyne Woolery and Jamie Proctor scored in a 4-2 defeat.
Since December 13, Bolton have actually gained more points than Blackpool in the league. Keith Hill’s side have nine from 14 games, whereas the Tangerines have six from 12.
Given The Blackpool Tower’s height, the number of surrounding buildings and the fact that it is built with 2,500 tonnes of iron and five million bricks, there were concerns about safety if it were to collapse. But, thanks to a unique design, in the unlikely event that The Blackpool Tower ever did fall down, it would fall into the sea rather than the buildings around it.
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Blackpool welcome Bolton Wanderers to Bloomfield Road this evening, in an eagerly anticipated north-west tie.
The visitors sit at the bottom of the table, cut adrift of all the sides above them due to a points deduction at the start of the season. They are 20 points from safety ahead of the match with just 14 matches of their season remaining.
The Trotters have lost their last four matches, picking up their last win in a 2-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers at the start of February.
Blackpool, meanwhile, will be looking to pick up a key three points to begin to climb the table again after a poor run of results since the turn of the New Year. There is also an opportunity for the Seasiders to claim their first back-to-back clean sheet of the season, following the 0-0 draw at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
The last time Blackpool welcomed Bolton to Bloomfield Road was almost four years ago, in an enthralling 4-2 victory for the Seasiders in extra-time of the EFL Cup, to progress to the second round. The same can’t be said when both sides met at the University of Bolton Stadium this season, in a 0-0 stalemate back in October in tonight's reverse fixture.
If you aren't making the trip to Bloomfield Road, we will have full coverage and reaction on Blackpoolfc.co.uk as well as on our official social media channels and iFollow channel.
Team News
David Dunn has revealed top scorer Armand Gnanduillet will continue to be monitored ahead of the game. The striker missed Saturday’s draw at AFC Wimbledon.
Bolton could rotate their squad for the match, having lost their last four matches on the spin.
The Referee
Paul Marsden will officiate the match.
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
TEAM: Gnanduillet wont be fit and if Dunn didn't play Spearing against Wimbledon, I can see a reason for him to do so tonight. I think he'll play an unchanged team. It's a good philosophy and one that was working well for us earlier in the season under Grayson before he lost his way.
Bolton travel to Bloomfield Road on Saturday to take on David Dunn’s Blackpool side in Sky Bet League One.
Blackpool sit in 16th place on 38 points and have won one in their last 12 league games.
That victory came at home earlier this month, as they defeated Southend United 2-1, thanks to a brace from Armand Gnanduillet.
In the reverse fixture, a 0-0 draw was played out at the University of Bolton Stadium in October.
Team News
In his pre-match press conference with bwfc.co.uk, Keith Hill said that Anthony Georgiou is still not available but could return later in the week, following a small setback on his return from injury.
The gaffer alluded to “one or two players who we don’t want to push too hard too early”, but didn’t give away any names.
Head to Head
Bolton have faced Blackpool a whopping 108 times, with the earliest fixture dating back to 1896.
Wanderers have won 43 of those clashes, with 32 ending in a draw and Blackpool taking the spoils 33 times.
Match Coverage
As usual, match updates will be provided by the club’s official twitter account (@OfficialBWFC). We will keep you up to date with the action to ensure you don’t miss a kick — delivering a match report shortly after the final whistle with post-match reaction from manager, Keith Hill.
Live commentary will also be available by the iFollow BWFC channel (subscribe via the website), with the BBC Radio Manchester team providing the coverage.
Betting Odds
Bolton come into the game as 19/4 underdogs, according to Sky Bet, while Blackpool are 4/7 favourites and a draw is priced at 11/4 at the time of writing.
Match Officials
Saturday’s match will be officiated by Paul Marsden. He has refereed one Bolton match this season, which was against Oxford United in a 0-0 draw in September.
He will be assisted by Kevin Mulraine and Steven Rushton and the fourth official is Mark Cunliffe.
Marsden has handed out 87 yellow cards in 26 matches this season, an average of 3.3 a game. He has sent off one player.
Key man for The Seasiders- Armand Gnanduillet
Armand Gnanduillet is the man to be wary of for the Seasiders.
He is in a rich vein of form, scoring three in his past four games. He has 16 goals in total this league campaign, sitting second behind Ivan Toney in Sky Bet League One’s top goal scorers.
Gnanduillet is 28 and was born in Angers, France and has been at the club since 2016
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
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