Trotters Next On The Menu

So after the caviar that was the two goal comebacks against Manchester United at home and Tottenham away we are back to far more basic fare against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.

The team selection will be fascinating. Has ‘the Beast’, after notching six goals (make that seven!) in two tough Carling Cup ties in enemy territory, earned the right to a rare start alongside the skipper? Possibly not, but if he should strike again next Wednesday it is hard to see how ‘Le Boss’ cannot give him a run.

At a time when injuries are starting once again to restrict our selection options we could probably do with facing a side that will be somewhat less physical. The loss of Hleb on Wednesday will probably open the door for Theo Walcott to build up his confidence.

Sam Allardyce warrants some grudging respect for the work he has done with his collection of bargain basement misfits, but surely this time it is our turn to put the upstarts in their place? Strangely this could be seen as a fairer barometer of our recent good run than the youth-fuelled draw at White Hart Lane.

The incredible Sulk returns to the club that put him on the footballing map. Anelka produced the inevitable goals against his former employers when we came unstuck at the Reebok in the Premiership encounter a couple of months ago. Defeat that day was not entirely surprising, but it would be at the Grove this weekend. The current post-Christmas run is rekindling memories of 1971 and 1998. Could it be?

The build-up is suffering from the distraction being provided by transfer speculation. Arsene assured us we would not be going into the market during this window. Nonetheless we are now, according to reports, about to reinforce the youngsters by snapping up Ryan Babel and Gareth Bale.

Life is good!