Bolton’s winning recipe

Sunday, 22/01/2012

by Emma Norris, Shoot's Bolton blogger

What a difference a couple of wins can make.

At the start of the month, the Whites were rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and had the daunting prospect of trips to Goodison Park, Old Trafford and the visit of Liverpool on the horizon.

Considering what happened when the side had a similar list of fixtures to contend with at the start of the season, many supporters would have been forgiven for bracing themselves for a long and difficult January.

Since the turn of the year however, the team appear to have found a new sense of confidence. With Owen Coyle having rotated his squad throughout the campaign in a bid to find that winning formula, the Scot finally looks to have found it.

Prior to Saturday’s clash against Liverpool, both history and the odds seemed to be stacked against Wanderers. Having emerged victorious just once at home in the league all season and Dalglish’s side being prolific on their travels, it looked far from promising for the Whites.

From the outset however, it was clear that Bolton were a team on a mission and were rewarded with a victory that lifts us to 17th in the table. Many had already written the Whites off, but the past few weeks have turned the situation on its head and survival is now in our own hands.

Although the 3-1 win was undoubtedly a collective effort, credit must be given to Mark Davies in particular. At the tender age of 23, the former Wolves youth player put in a man of the match performance and was a part of a steady midfield that has been missing for most of this season through injuries to key players.

With the influential figure of Stuart Holden still sidelined for the foreseeable future, it appears as though the Bolton boss has a more than worthy replacement for the American should Davies continue his fine form.

Following the visit of Swansea in the FA Cup at the weekend, the Whites return to league action against Arsenal on Wednesday week. An difficult task at the best of times, Wanderers could not in a better frame of mind as they welcome Arsene Wenger and his side.

The Gunners have been somewhat inconsistent of late, but Coyle will definitely not allow his team underestimate the threat which they pose. We’ve certainly not got to allow ourselves to become complacent, but it seems as though the only way is up from hereon in.

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