Preview: Bolton Wanderers v Norwich City

Bolton Wanderers take on Norwich City in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 16 February. With that said, bwfc.co.uk have produced five things to take into this weekend’s hom clash.

1. Squad Upate

During Friday's press conference in preview on the home fixture, manager Phil Parkinson spoke to bwfc.co.uk and gave an update on the squad.

Parkinson said: “Gary O'Neil is out, he has a couple of issues and it is a real shame but we hope it won't keep him out for long."

"Marc Wilson has a slight problem with his back moreso than his hamstring, so we are struggling defensively.

"We've had a few niggles with the likes of Jack Hobbs, Andy Taylor and Luca Connell but they are not long term injuries. They probably need a free week next week and won't be far off."

2. A Game to Remember

We take you back to March 2005, when Nigel Worthington's Canaries took on Sam Allardyce's Wanderers side at the University of Bolton Stadium.

With the first half winding down with the score all square, a moment of pure magic from Wanderers Greek midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos saw the Whites sail into the lead and eventually take all three points!

To see that goal in all its glory, see the video below!

3. The Boss - Daniel Farke

The German born forward had a multi year career as a player, with successful spells at SV Lippstadt 08, SV Wilhelmshaven and Bonner SC.

The 42 year old moved into management shortly after retiring in 2008, taking the reigns at SV Lippstadt 08 in 2009.

Following six years in the German sixth tier, Farke moved to Borussia Dortmund II where two fourth placed finishes in the Regionalliga West saw him earn a move to Norwich City in May 2017.

In his first clash at Carrow Road against Wanderers in February of this year, Farke's side drew 0-0 in the Sky Bet Championship.

4. New Faces at Carrow Road

During the summer transfer window, Farke and Norwich were busy behind the scenes, bringing in new names to the Norfolk club.

With that being said, bwfc.co.uk will take a look at a selection of the new faces who have been brought in.

A man who has certianly made quite the impact since joining permanently in the summer is Teemu Pukki, a Finnish striker brought in on a free transfer from Brondby.

After winning the Danish Cup with The Boys from Vestegnen in 2017/18, scoring 19 goals in all competitions that season, Pukki joined the Canaries and has kept that goal scoring form up so far.

So far in the Sky Bet Championship, Pukki has 11 goals to his name, scoring a goal every 137 minutes.

In between the sticks, Tim Krul joined the club from Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer.

He has kept six clean sheets so far this season, with the Dutch international playing every game in the league for Daniel Farke's men.

In the loan market, Felix Passlack and Jordan Rhodes have been brought in from Borussia Dortmund and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.

Passlack, a German Under-21 international, was a member of the Die Borussen squad that won the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) in 2016/17.

Moving onto Rhodes and the Scottish international forward was named in the 2011/12 PFA League One Team of the Year, following his 36 goals in 40 league games for Huddersfield Town.

5. Memories match - Wear your retro shirts with pride!

Bolton Wanderers fans are being encouraged to wear retro shirts at this Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash against Norwich City in line with the fixture being the Whites' official Memories Match in support of those living with dementia.

The special matchday is part of the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust’s ongoing support of Bolton being a dementia friendly town.

The BWCT are part of the Bolton Dementia Action Alliance, which has the aim of bringing local organisations, groups and businesses together to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

Bolton Wanderers are holding this special matchday to raise the awareness of dementia, social isolation and loneliness, alongside promoting Bolton Wanderers Community Trust’s Sporting Memories sessions that take place once a month at the University of Bolton Stadium.

For more information on how the club are supporting Bolton Dementia Action Alliance or on the Trust's Sporting Memories sessions, please visit www.bwct.org.uk or call 01204 673790.

Tickets for the game can be purchased online by clicking here.

Also, don’t forget at Bolton Central has a sale on BWFC replica shirts which are available for just £27.99 each in all adult sizes. Click here to order online.

 

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