Fan Focus: A Trotter's Take On Saturday's Game

Welcome back to Fan Focus everyone, the feature in which we speak to a fan or writer (or ideally both) from the opposition to give their views on the game ahead as we well as telling us what the chuffing Nora's going on at their gaff.

This week we had the pleasure of speaking with one of our SB Nation brethren, Lion Of Vienna Suite - The place for all things Bolton Wanderers.

From that fine site we spoke to Mark Yesilevskiy, a life long Bolton Wanderers fan who filled us in on the happening's at the Reebok Stadium. Let's hand things over to the Lion's then, of said Vienna Suite...

So Bolton, it would appear you've not had the greatest of starts, how's life at the Reebok?

Mark: It's all looking up after that international break. The boys came out and stayed strong against Wigan at the DW and are looking to carry the momentum for the next few matches to climb into a much safer position in that table. We started the season worried and our squad was thin but with Sam Ricketts coming back soon, it all seems so much better. 

Bolton are in a similar position to ourselves when you look at the table, is Owen Coyle under any pressure from the fans?

Mark: The fans that weren't paying attention to just exactly who Bolton were playing or hoped for some manager to swoop down from the heavens to lift Bolton from the bottom of the table were calling for his head but there was never any pressure from the management. However, if Bolton don't manage points in the next few matches, it'll be a different story.

It's the first time we've met this season, how are your summer signings settling in?

Mark: Gael Kakuta, Tuncay, Chris Eagles, Nigel Reo-Coker, David Ngog, and Dedryck Boyata have all put a ball in the back of the net in either Premier League or Carling Cup competition. I'd say that they've settled in quite nicely.

What sort of game are you expecting on Saturday?

Mark: It's pretty well noted that Bolton's defense is, to be frank, crap. I expect Bolton to control the ball in the midfield and push it up to the forwards quite regularly. The Wanderers won the Wigan game by having more possession (something they usually don't do) and putting 11 of 14 shots on target. I expect Ngog to be buoyed by his goal against Wigan and Kevin Davies to want to make up for his missed penalty.

Where do you see Bolton having an edge over Sunderland on Saturday? Which individual battles will need to be won?

Mark: I expect Bolton to have the advantage on the attack but Sunderland's defense will be a tough nut to crack. With only 10 goals allowed on the season, it certainly won't be easy. 

By the same token, is there a weakness in the Bolton side you're concerned about?

Mark: The defense. The entire defense. Wheater and Cahill did well against Wigan but it's the outside backs that worry me most. Boyata's done a good job at right back but if Steinsson makes it into the lineup, it's certainly cause for concern. While he and Robinson do have their good moments, they both have issues tracking the attackers and when they do a decent job of that, they are easily beaten and left for dead.

Lastly, what's your prediction for the game?

Mark: I expect a hard fought 1-0 Bolton win with Kevin Davies on the scoresheet. It's time that Bolton made the Reebok a fortress again.

Many thanks to Mark at Lion of Vienna Suite for answering our questions, and make sure you check them out before, during and after the game for alternate opinion HERE.