Bolton v Tottenham – Match Preview
On the back of possibly Tottenham’s best performance of the season, Harry Redknapp’s side travel to the Reebok Stadium to face a Bolton side, still reeling over the loss of Kevin Nolan to Newcastle. Spurs moved up to 13th after their recent 3-1 victory over Stoke, three points out of the bottom three, and level on points with their next opponents.
Team News
Recent signing Pascal Chimbonda is available for the match, although Wilson Palacios is serving the last match of his ban, and is yet to make his debut. Cudicini will once again deputize for the injured Gomes, and Ledley King is set to return to action, since it is a weekend match. Despite King’s return, Michael Dawson could keep his place in the team, following Redknapp’s recent praise.
“I’ve been pleased with him, he has been fantastic,” said Harry.
“He puts his head in there, he wants to defend for his life and he’s a smashing boy, a great lad.
“He’s a proper footballing boy, loves the game and I’ve been really impressed with him.
“Both him and Woodgate have done great in Ledley’s absence and our centre-halves are going to be so important to us – Dawson, Woodgate and Ledley, if we can get him fit. They’re the backbone of your team.”
I expect us to line up something like this:
Cudicini
Corluka Dawson King BAE
Bentley Zokora Modric Lennon
Pavlyuchenko Defoe
This task will be none too different to that of the Stoke match, as I expect Bolton to be hitting long balls up to their target men. But, Spurs played Stoke off the park with good football on the floor, so we will be fine if we keep to the same ethos.
My verdict: 2-0 Spurs
Sorry, just found out Palacios is not suspended. He will make his debut tomorrow!
That must have been very disappointing for you, can’t say I have too much sympathy after Tuesday night though!