All you need to know ahead of this weekend's trip to face Blackpool at Bloomfield Road
Blackpool v Bolton Wanderersnpower Championship
Saturday 10 November, 2012
Kick-Off 3pm
Setting The Scene
Dougie Freedman has enjoyed a profitable start to life with the Wanderers, securing four points against two of the top five teams, and he now takes his side to Bloomfield Road as they attempt to continue their climb up the table.
A string of impressive saves from Hungarian international Adam Bogdan helped ensure a goalless draw against Leicester City on Tuesday night, and the side has since been boosted by the news that Curtis Fleming has joined the club as first team coach.
Blackpool are another team going through a period of transition as Ian Holloway left the club earlier this month to fill the vacant managerial role at Crystal Palace. The club have wasted no time in announcing Michael Appleton as his successor this week, and he will have had two days to prepare for the arrival of the Trotters on Saturday.
Former manager Holloway guided the club to the Premier League in his first full season in charge, and after suffering relegation, the former QPR midfielder would again lead Blackpool to the play-off final last season, but defeat to West Ham would end their dream of a return to the top flight.
The Tangerines made a plethora of summer signings as Tiago Gomes, Scott Robertson, Nathan Eccleston, Kirk Broadfoot and Premiership striking duo Nathan Delfouneso and Nouha Dicko all joined the club in an effort to get back to the big time.
Although the Seasiders made a solid start to their second season back in the Championship, they have struggled in recent weeks, which included a 4-1 defeat away at Derby County, and they now found themselves sitting in 12th place.
The Blackpool faithful will now be hoping that new boss Appleton can turn their fortunes around and get the side back into the play-off places and, similar to the Wanderers, guide them back to the Premier League.
One To Watch – Thomas Ince
The Wanderers defence will have to be wary of the highly-rated Thomas Ince, son of former England captain Paul, who has notched up six goals already this season.
The England Under-21 international has also provided six assists for his team-mates, as the 20-year-old has been directly involved in 12 of the side’s 28 goals this season.
The former Liverpool academy graduate is currently the club’s top scorer and he found the back of the net once again in his last outing in the Seasiders’ 2-0 victory away at Sheffield Wednesday.
Team News
Dougie Freedman has no new injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s fixture, with long-term absentees Stuart Holden, David Wheater, Josh Vela and Andy Lonergan all still unavailable.
David Ngog will return to Freedman’s matchday squad after serving his one-match ban for his dismissal against Cardiff last Saturday, while new loan signing Jacob Butterfield will also be available for selection.
All-Time Record
| Blackpool Wins | Draws | Bolton Wins | |
| League | 28
| 24
| 34
|
| FA Cup | 3
| 0
| 3
|
| Total | 31
| 24
| 37
|
Man In The Middle - Jonathan Moss
West Yorkshire-based referee Jonathan Moss will take charge of Saturday’s game. He has so far shown 30 yellow cards and one red card in nine games this season.
The Premier League referee showed seven yellow cards in Wigan’s home clash with West Ham, and showed his only red card of the year to Steven Pienaar for two bookable offences in Everton’s trip to QPR, both last month.
Fan Information
Tickets for the game are sold out, with 2,000 Bolton fans set to make the trip to Bloomfield Road.
Bolton Wanderers fans travelling to Bloomfield Road on Saturday 10 November are being advised by local train operator Northern Rail that there will be no trains between Preston and Blackpool on that day. For more information click here.