Colin Harvey's pre-match report

Sep 1 2007

SAMMY LEE has made some alterations to Bolton’s attacking style since taking over as manager from Sam Allardyce, but the teams is still built on the foundations of a solid defence and midfield.

Defence

BOLTON have been pairing Abdoulaye Meite and Gerald Cid at the heart of the defence and both are strong when facing the ball as well as being useful in the air.

But both full-backs, who have been new signing Jlloyd Samuel and Nicky Hunt like to attack, which is fine when Bolton are in possession. But when the move breaks down it leaves gaps down the flanks which Portsmouth, in particular, used to their advantage.

It was not such a problem at home to Reading, where there was less onus on the opposition to attack, but it is something Everton could exploit if they can pick a pass and get Andrew Johnson in behind the defence.

Given new arrival Ayegbeni Yakubu’s lack of football so far this season, he may start his Everton career from the bench, but his pace, too, would be a useful weapon against Bolton.

The problems come for Bolton when they are attacking down one side and the full back on the opposite flank also pushes forward.

It means the centre backs have to pull wide, out of their accustomed positions, to deal with any counter attacks down the wings and that is something they do not like doing. It also leaves Bolton vulnerable to players breaking into the box and the counter-attacking side putting in a good cross.

They are not the quickest back four and even at home they will be reluctant to concede too much ground behind them, so they are unlikely to keep a high line.

James McFadden’s equaliser last week may have earned him another outing and he offers something different.

While Johnson can work the channels, McFadden gives the option of a ball to feet and his ability to hold the ball can allow midfielders to link up with the attack.

Midfield

LEE went for four in midfield in the win over Reading last week and they had a solid look about them.

Gavin McCann and Mikel Alonso are the passing players in there, with Kevin Nolan playing a bit wider than usual and Gary Speed a bit deeper behind the other three.

It means there is no natural width to the midfield, which might mean a bit more space on the flanks for Mikel Arteta.

Even at the age of 37, Speed still has that ability to arrive in the penalty area at key times to get an effort in on goal.

Attack

If Lee does not find a place in his attack for Kevin Davies, then it is a very different style from last season.

Davies is very much a target man, with Bolton looking to feed off the second ball.

But in Nicolas Anelka they have a player who likes to play up on the shoulder of the defenders, often in the inside left channels, and make his move towards goal when picking up on a pass.

El-Hadji Diouf has already provided the telling pass for a couple of Anelka goals this season and he is also a forward thinking player, whether it be trying to slide a pass through or by dribbling at the opposition defence. It makes him very tricky to play against.

There are not many Premier League defenders who can match Anelka for pace, so Everton may have to accept that they cannot defend too tightly.

Rather than getting too close and running the risk of Anelka spinning away into the space behind the defence, Everton may prefer to drop off a couple of yards and at least tackle the Anelka threat by keeping the player in front of them.

Dangerman

NICOLAS ANELKA – bang in form and with his future at the club now resolved.

Overall verdict

A TOUGH game with plenty of quality on show points to a scoring draw.