Watford Preview

By Mark Heys
February 2 2007

The Wanderers hope to get back to winning ways tommorow afternoon as they make the journey down to Vicarage Road to take on struggling Watford.

January has brought Bolton just two league points from a possible twelve and Sam Allardyce will be hoping that his team do not continue such a trend going into the month of February.

The Trotters have already beaten Watford this season thanks to a last gasp Gary Speed penalty in September but the Hornets have admired many with their grit and determination since their return to the top flight.

Bolton have a number of new injury worries to contend with for their trip to Hertfordshire. Strikers Kevin Davies (fractured foot) and Nicolas Anelka (calf) are set to miss the game so Henrik Pedersen could once again play in his natural forward position after scoring in the midweek draw with Charlton.

Centre half Abdoulaye Faye withdrew from the action in the second half against the Addicks with a hip injury and is considered a major doubt so Tal Ben-Haim will be promoted back into the starting eleven for the first time since the 5-1 debacle at Middlesbrough.

New signing David Thompson should play some part for Bolton following his midweek move from Portsmouth. The former Liverpool and Blackburn player may be included amongst the substitutes to begin with.

Another new boy in the shape of Slovakian international centre half Lubomir Michalik is included in the squad as is 19-year old Youth Academy graduate Blazej Augustyn.

Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd is set to welcome back on loan goalkeeper Ben Foster after the England keeper missed the midweek defeat at his parent club Manchester United.

Scottish midfielder Gareth Williams could make his debut following his recent move from Leicester City. Fellow new recruits Johan Cavalli, Douglas Rinaldi and Cedric Avinel could also been included for their first taste of English football.

Striker Marlon King is out for the season with a knee injury but defenders James Chambers (ankle) and Clarke Carlisle (thigh) should be available to make the contest.

One time Sheffield United striker Steve Kabba is hoping for a starting role at the expense of Darius Henderson, the man he replaced in the midweek mauling at Old Trafford.

PREMIERSHIP RECORD

09/09/2006 BOLTON WANDERERS 1 (Speed (P)) WATFORD 0

PREMIERSHIP FORM GUIDE:

Played: 1

Won: 1

Drawn: 0

Lost: 0

CONNECTIONS

Paul Atkinson, Neil Cox, Les Ferdinand, Mark Gavin, Jim Hernon, David Holdsworth, Dean Holdsworth, Nigel Jemson, Andy Kennedy, Neil Redfearn, Ray Train.

IT HAPPENED WHEN BOLTON PLAYED WATFORD

Both these sides took part in the 1999 First Division Play Off Final at Wembley. Watford went onto win the game 2-0 thanks to a late goal from Allan Smart and an overhead kick from Nick Wright

Twins Dean and David Holdsworth both started their careers at Watford in 1986. Some sixteen years later the two where re-united at Bolton for a short while.

In the first Premiership meeting between these two sides back in September the game looked to be heading goalless until Watford's Dan Shittu tripped Bolton substitute Idan Tal in the area in injury time. Gary Speed despatched the resulting penalty past Ben Foster to win the game for Wanderers.