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Match Preview: Wanderers v Pompey
Portsmouth at Fratton Park - September 06
FOURTH meets fifth at the Reebok on Saturday in what arguably is the game of the weekend in the Barclays Premiership.
Wanderers, currently in fourth, entertain Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth at the Reebok Stadium. Sam Allardyce's' team are riding high following a run of four successive victories and they are in pursuit of a 'double' over Pompey having beat them way back in September at Fratton Park thanks to a superb volley by captain Kevin Nolan.
With a point separating Bolton and Portsmouth in the league table, Big Sam believes his players are starting to find the confidence that took them to a top six finish two seasons ago. However, as Wanderers continue their climb up the league table, the Bolton boss is fully aware how expectation levels are ever changing and supporters around Bolton are demanding a top six finish.
"We have to live with the greater expectations we have built year in and year out," said Allardyce.
"I'm glad to say in the main we've gone beyond their [supporters'] expectations and dragged them up to a new level.
"It's difficult to maintain, although at the moment we are. But we cannot get carried away, because this is only mid-season."
Wanderers' next two league games - home to Portsmouth and away to Liverpool on New Year's Day - are all against their nearest rivals in the league and results against them both could really shape the Club's season going into 2007.
"If we can remain unbeaten over the festive period that would be fantastic. We aren't expected to get anything out of the Liverpool game and Pompey are playing some great football and I expect it to be our toughest encounter at home this season so far. Four points from the next two matches will really lift this place and set us up nicely going into the New Year.
"Harry (Redknapp) has done a wonderful job at Fratton Park this season and they deserve to be up at the top with the players he has recruited and the brand of football he has introduced. I have told the players that they have to be up for it if we are to continue our unbeaten run. Anything below our best will not be good enough and Portsmouth will beat us.
"Harry is the best recruiter of players in the industry and the players he has brought in over the close season are of the highest of quality. He has been given time and resources to get it right and now his plans are starting to bear fruit. He was the trailblazer of how to recruit players and rest of us have tried to follow in his pursuit of excellence."
Wanderers are now starting to see their injury list return to manageable proportions. Only long-term casualties Joey O'Brien (knee), Quinton Fortune (Achilles) and Stelios (groin) will miss the game. Big Sam is likely to go with the same side that defeated Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp admits he will be forced to rest Kanu for the trip to the Reebok.
Kanu has started both of Pompey's festive fixtures to date, but will be left out for the trip to The Reebok Stadium.
With Portsmouth also playing Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day, Redknapp feels it is the best policy to preserve his top scorer's fitness.
"We have been lucky with injuries all season really, but Kanu cannot play two games so close together," said Redknapp.
"It takes him three or four days to recover, so if he plays at Bolton he won't play on Monday against Tottenham.
"All season he has been magnificent for us, he holds the ball up and makes us play."
If Kanu is kept on the sidelines, Redknapp concedes he may have to gamble on Benjani Mwaruwari's fitness against Bolton.
He added: "With Benjani it is difficult. He still has a bit of a hamstring, so if he starts I do not know if he will be fit for Tottenham.
"You have to gamble because he could play, get a tear and I could lose him for four to six weeks. The thing is as a
Portsmouth at Fratton Park - September 06
FOURTH meets fifth at the Reebok on Saturday in what arguably is the game of the weekend in the Barclays Premiership.
Wanderers, currently in fourth, entertain Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth at the Reebok Stadium. Sam Allardyce's' team are riding high following a run of four successive victories and they are in pursuit of a 'double' over Pompey having beat them way back in September at Fratton Park thanks to a superb volley by captain Kevin Nolan.
With a point separating Bolton and Portsmouth in the league table, Big Sam believes his players are starting to find the confidence that took them to a top six finish two seasons ago. However, as Wanderers continue their climb up the league table, the Bolton boss is fully aware how expectation levels are ever changing and supporters around Bolton are demanding a top six finish.
"We have to live with the greater expectations we have built year in and year out," said Allardyce.
"I'm glad to say in the main we've gone beyond their [supporters'] expectations and dragged them up to a new level.
"It's difficult to maintain, although at the moment we are. But we cannot get carried away, because this is only mid-season."
Wanderers' next two league games - home to Portsmouth and away to Liverpool on New Year's Day - are all against their nearest rivals in the league and results against them both could really shape the Club's season going into 2007.
"If we can remain unbeaten over the festive period that would be fantastic. We aren't expected to get anything out of the Liverpool game and Pompey are playing some great football and I expect it to be our toughest encounter at home this season so far. Four points from the next two matches will really lift this place and set us up nicely going into the New Year.
"Harry (Redknapp) has done a wonderful job at Fratton Park this season and they deserve to be up at the top with the players he has recruited and the brand of football he has introduced. I have told the players that they have to be up for it if we are to continue our unbeaten run. Anything below our best will not be good enough and Portsmouth will beat us.
"Harry is the best recruiter of players in the industry and the players he has brought in over the close season are of the highest of quality. He has been given time and resources to get it right and now his plans are starting to bear fruit. He was the trailblazer of how to recruit players and rest of us have tried to follow in his pursuit of excellence."
Wanderers are now starting to see their injury list return to manageable proportions. Only long-term casualties Joey O'Brien (knee), Quinton Fortune (Achilles) and Stelios (groin) will miss the game. Big Sam is likely to go with the same side that defeated Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp admits he will be forced to rest Kanu for the trip to the Reebok.
Kanu has started both of Pompey's festive fixtures to date, but will be left out for the trip to The Reebok Stadium.
With Portsmouth also playing Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day, Redknapp feels it is the best policy to preserve his top scorer's fitness.
"We have been lucky with injuries all season really, but Kanu cannot play two games so close together," said Redknapp.
"It takes him three or four days to recover, so if he plays at Bolton he won't play on Monday against Tottenham.
"All season he has been magnificent for us, he holds the ball up and makes us play."
If Kanu is kept on the sidelines, Redknapp concedes he may have to gamble on Benjani Mwaruwari's fitness against Bolton.
He added: "With Benjani it is difficult. He still has a bit of a hamstring, so if he starts I do not know if he will be fit for Tottenham.
"You have to gamble because he could play, get a tear and I could lose him for four to six weeks. The thing is as a