Everything you need to know ahead of the weekend's game against the Hornets
Bolton Wanderers v Watford
npower Championship
Saturday 15 October, 2012
Kick-Off 3pm
Setting The Scene
After the recent international break, Bolton’s Championship campaign resumes this weekend with the visit of Watford to the Reebok Stadium.
Owen Coyle and his charges will be keen to get their season back on track, having had two weeks in which to reflect on a mixed bag of results, the most recent a 3-1 defeat at Hull.
Giampaolo Pozzo’s summer takeover of the Hornets set the wheels in motion on a unique business model. Manager Sean Dyche was replaced despite registering the side’s best league finish in four seasons – Gianfranco Zola his replacement.
Spanish side Grenada CF and Italian club Udinese, both also owned by the Pozzo family, are now involved in a three-way working relationship with the Hertfordshire-based club whereby significant numbers of players are involved in an array of transfer deals.
Udinese, acting as the parent club, farm their younger generation out on loan in order to gain first-team experience and, in theory, prepare them for life in one of Europe’s top leagues before selling them on for a handsome profit.
Past examples of this practice include Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean winger who was sold onto Barcelona for a fee which could reach an estimated £33million whilst Asamoah Gyan signed for Sunderland for in excess of £13million.
So it should come as no surprise that if in a few years’ time a number of the 12 current players on loan at Watford from either Grenada or Udinese are strutting their stuff on bigger stages.
Under Zola Watford have endured a somewhat mixed start to their season, winning two and losing two of their opening four league games. Their most recent outing ended in a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Derby County.
For Wanderers, the game is of particular significance for Marvin Sordell, who left Vicarage Road earlier this year. Our Olympian forward played a total of 81 games for Watford, netting 27 goals in the process.
Team News
Wanderers’ only absentees are the long-term injuries to David Wheater and Stuart Holden, who continue to make progress from their respective knee injuries.
David Ngog is fit and could feature in his first competitive game of the season after overcoming a back strain whilst Keith Andrews, who withdrew from international duty following an Achilles complaint, is also expected to play.
Watford will be without skipper John Eustace and Geoffrey Mujanji Bia, though striker Alex Geijo could be set for his debut after missing the early part of the season through injury.
One To Watch
Flying Czech Republic wide man Matej Vydra has been a revelation since signing from Udinese on loan. Three goals in four Championship games plus his first senior international cap in the recent international break represent an impressive start to the new season for the 20-year-old.
All-Time Record
| Bolton Wins | Draws | Watford Wins | |
| League | 7 | 4 | 10 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| League Cup | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 9 | 5 | 13 |
When We Last Met
Watford 0-1 Wanderers (Anelka 63)
Watford:Foster, Mariappa, Mackay, DeMerit, Stewart, Williamson (Williams 46), Bouazza (McNamee 68), Mahon, Francis (Kabba 77), Henderson, Hoskins (Unused substitutes: Lee, Doyley)
Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Ben Haim, Faye, Nolan, Campo, Giannakopoulos (Teymourian 50), Speed, Diouf (Pedersen 80), Anelka (Unused susbtitutes: Walker, Tal, Gardner)
Man In The Middle
Eddie Ilderton will oversee Saturday’s game at the Reebok. The Tyne and Wear-based official has shown a hefty 20 yellow and one red card in just four games this term.
Fan Information
Supporters are still able to purchase tickets for Saturday’s game. For more information click here.
The Carling FanZone will also be in operation prior to the 3pm kick-off, with more information accessible by clicking here.