As fantastic as it was that Bolton drew 0-0 at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round, it’s important that, with the replay coming up, it doesn’t distract them from the league.
Starting with tonight’s trip to Rotherham, Wanderers have some important games in the Championship coming up. Within the next month, they will go up against the likes of Derby, Watford and Middlesborough, who are all near the top end of the table.
Wanderers take on Steve Evan’s Rotherham United tonight. Source: The Yorkshire Post
It’s a crucial period for Bolton. It could easily ignite the push for the play-offs, or it could lead to them looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.
Wanderers boss Neil Lennon has spoke about his desire to remain in the FA Cup for as long as possible. Indeed, cup competitions can breed confidence in a team and can also be an important additional source of income, but the league has to be the absolute priority.
At present, the Whites’ squad is very thin on the ground – and additional cup games aren’t going to help that.
When Lennon brought Emile Heskey to the club, he would have hoped to have been using him as an impact player – the same for 36-year-old Eidur Gudjohnsen, too – but the former England international has found himself playing a leading attacking role. And, now that he’s picked up a hamstring injury, Bolton’s attacking options have been depleted further.
Luckily, Lennon has pulled off a decent coup in the transfer window with the loan signing of Adam le Fondre, although he won’t be able to face the Millers tonight. The striker, who signed for Cardiff City in the summer, hasn’t found form in south Wales this season, but his goalscoring records at both Reading and Rotherham previously are very impressive. If he does rediscover that kind of form, Bolton’s chances of making the play-offs may just become a reality.
New signing: Adam le Fondre has joined Bolton on loan until the end of the season. Source: Bolton Wanderers FC
I’ve talked about Bolton’s need for a real goalscorer on this blog; Adam le Fondre is the perfect fit. There has been so many occasions this season where Bolton have created chance upon chance, but there’s not been that instinctive striker to prod the ball home. Hopefully, le Fondre is that man.
You need someone who can bag you 20-plus goals in the Championship if you want success in some form. It’s a long season and, if you don’t have that goalscorer, you’re going to struggle to get near the play-offs.
Another player who has joined Bolton on loan is Rochinda from Benfica. The 19-year-old has represented Portugal at U17 and U19 level, but he hasn’t broke into Benfica’s first-team as of yet. He is an exciting young talent and could give Wanderers that creative spark that is needed.
Rochinda, 19, has joined Bolton on loan until the end of the season from Portuguese club Benfica. Source: Bolton Wanderers FC
After it looked as though Bolton were getting nowhere in the transfer window, these two signings have been a smart bit of business by Neil Lennon.
However, a couple of more additions are probably needed, especially if players like Lee Chung-Yong are on their way out of the door.
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