Oppositions View: Bolton

Last updated : 16 April 2010 By Dan Buxton

Stoke, now being past 40 points, are hoping for a top half finish but the Trotters have been sucked into the relegation zone, although you remain strong favourites to stay up. Do you think Bolton will pick up three points against a possibly less motivated Stoke side and help push you towards safety?

eric1953: Stoke City are in a by credit for what they have done. I noticed that when Bolton were in the position Stoke are in now, they sometimes took their foot off the pedal, annoying but I suppose understandable

MoChoudury: We are by no means out of the woods yet and will therefore be looking for three points. Stoke held us to a draw at the Reebok and we would like to get a win

danm1992: They're a big physical side, so obviously its gonna be a hard game, but I can see us knicking at least a point if we can match their physicality, and usually we play a physical a game too

gtbrame: We've been out of the bottom three for a little while now. If Stoke are less motivated then it could work in our favour, but there's also the concern that we underestimate Stoke having played Everton, United, Villa and Chelsea in recent weeks, all much stronger sides than Stoke

The Potters are well known for a physical style, although we can play in the final third. We all knew what to expect from Gary Megson's Burnley but what about Owen Coyle's Trotters?

MoChaudury: I personally think Stoke have done well this season. They gave City a bloody nose in the FA Cup. Pulis is a 'no frills' safe pair of hands.

gtbrame: Coyle's Bolton play better football than Megson's, it has to be said. Hasn't always picked up the desired results but the team do appear to have a go more

The fans seemed to get Gary Megson the sack with the dicontent being shown for the performances at the Reebok. Are the fans happy with the change and the direction Owen Coyle is taking you?

eric1953: Gary Megson, well everything has been said about him so i'm not going to slag him off any further. I am happy that Owen Coyle is attempting to change our style of play,but it will take time, and that is what Stoke must be wary of. They must not let the knockers within the media upset the infrastructure of a club that is doing great by their constant critisism of Stoke's style of play,do what you do best because when you try to compete with the big boys at their level you will come unstuck, look at the pretty football West Brom played and it did them no good

MoChoudury: The vast majority of Wanderers fans are happy with Owen Coyles appointment. He has only brought in three players so we can't really blame Coyle as he inherited the vast majority of the current team.

danm1992: I am very very happy with the direction in which Owen Coyle is taking this club. I am still cursing Gary Megson for the utterly mediocre squad that he left Bolton with (despite him constantly reminding us that the club "made a profit" during his time with us ! I find myself spending hours at a time just questioning, in what sense could he possibly think that this was the case, but afterall, the guys no less deluded than an x factor hopeful !), and for that reason, I do not intend to judge Owen Coyle's managerial abilities until he has had a proper to chance to recruit players that he himself has brought to the club. Nevertheless, it is pretty clear that the guy is a talented coach and I think the club could well be going places again, once he has had a proper chance to build a new squad at the club.

gtbrame: Yes, the fans are happy with Coyle, so far, although most will admit he wasn't first choice we're not disappointed with his appointment. Too early to judge yet though, if he keeps us up a lot of eyes will be on what he does in the transfer window

Are there any Stoke players you are wary of?

eric1953: I am concerned about our ability to deal with Rory Delap's long throw, a legitimate ploy which I would use if we had the tools to do so

MoChaudury: Delap is a danger as is Ricardo Fuller who is a decent forward. Our defence will have to play like we did last night against Chelsea if we want to come away with the points

danm1992: I'm personally not worried about any Stoke players imparticular, but just their side as a whole.

gtbrame: Fuller, plus the obvious danger from Delap's throw-ins. Think Stoke have built up a good squad though, foolish to underestimate them.

Who should we keep an eye out for?

MoChoudury: Both Bolton and Stoke are seen as being physical sides but that is not the whole story. We have creative midfield players in Davies, Lee and Wilshere

gtbrame: Wilshire has been superb for us in recent weeks. Lee on the wing too

...and finally, a prediction?

eric1953: I would be very happy with a draw

gtbrame: Heart says a draw or maybe even a narrow Wanderers win. Head doesn't have a clue

MoChoudury: I think it will be a close game