Carling Cup - Burnley v. Bolton Wanderers

The home supporters will have nothing better to do than shout obscenities at Owen Coyle, but I don't think that will really have any bearing on the match itself.  I think Brian Laws will play his entire first team, as his aforementioned supporters will be baying for blood.  Owen Coyle, on the other hand, will send out what is essentially a B team for this one.  The thing is, I like our B team.

Adam Bogdan will continue in goal, and the lad has shown definite potential, it will be no surprise if he is our number one keeper in a few years.

Due to injuries and suspensions, the back-line will be very similar to what we will see against Manchester United in the league on Sunday.  Gretar Steinsson at right-back, as usual, a partnership of Zat Knight and Sam Ricketts in the middle, and the one change, Marcus Alonso  at left back.  All eyes will be on Alonso, as many in the Bolton universe would like to see him replace Paul Robinson in the first team, and the sooner the better.

The midfield is where we will see some big changes.  We know that Mark Davies and Matt Taylor will start, and it is very likely Tamir Cohen will be in the first eleven as well.  And given the players available to Coyle, I think he will play a 4-2-3-1.



The attackers would then be Robbie Blake, Ivan Klasnic, and Rodrigo Moreno (pictured, above).  Blake spent a long career at Turf Moor, and I think his reception will be a lot friendlier than Coyle's.  Klasnic is still working his way towards match fitness, but he is such a natural finisher that he could fall out of bed and score goals.  But in attack, much like Alonso in defense, all eyes will be on the young Spaniard.

I think this team is solid at the back, and I don't think Burnley have enough to break them down.  Conversely, I like the chances of Klasnic getting a goal, and Taylor or Blake creating something off a free kick.  My prediction is 2-0 to Bolton.