Ah yes, another witty and original joke over our name. Hilarious, I know. This is why I'm a
blogger. Anyway, I haven't been much of one recently and for that I apologise. Maybe I'll get my
act together one of these days. Maybe. Not to worry though, as there hasn't been much going on.
While some of our players get to lie back and relax during their holidays, others have been busy
representing their country.
Even though the mighty Bolton Wanderers lost 1-0 to FC Tampa Bay thanks to a couple of hits off the
post and some frankly phenomenal goalkeeping from the Tampa youngsters in net, Trotters fans have
little to worry about. The men in white will attempt to prove this on Sunday when they head back to
Orlando to face Orlando City Soccer Club.
As Matilda so eloquently put it in her match preview, Fulham FC ain't nothin' to mess wit' in
the FA Cup. A side that's much more in form in this competition that they have been in the Premier
League this season and have been averaging a goal every 17 minutes at the Cottage in the Cup. The
fixture between Bolton and Fulham is one of only two matches in the fifth round between two Premier
League sides.
I should preface this with the fact that I love Jussi Jaaskelainen. Even in the games in which
Bolton was the moving manifestation of mediocrity under Megson, Jussi was solid. He's been with us
for 14 years, and is one appearance shy of 500. The man is a legend. But, as much as I wish it were
true, he's not ageless.
We're going streaking! Well, not really. Damn. This match at Newcastle is full of streaks,
however. After that awful mid-season slump, Bolton have won 4 of 5 in all competitions and are
unbeaten in 5 of 6. All of those matches without a loss were accompanied by a clean sheet courtesy
of Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Premier League and Adam Bogdan in the FA Cup.
One point of their possible last 30 road. Let that sink in. Owen Coyle is a motivating genius at
the Reebok but away from home, not so much. His inability to make changes to the team has largely
been Bolton's greatest pitfall this season. Anyone that follows @BoltonOffside on Twitter has seen
me bemoan the lack of substitutions before the 70th minute.
Two games into the tour of America, Bolton Wanderers come away with a resounding win against USL
Pro (third division) side Orlando City Soccer Club with a final scoreline of 3-1. The match, in all
honesty, was quite boring. Orlando were a tired team as they had a league match just the night
before.
Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill earned his sixth cap when he lined up for England's Euro
2012 qualifier against Montenegro last night. While England only needed a draw to secure their
place in the finals that was all they got. 2-2 was the final score — England's overall
performance was enough but disappointing.
