Owen Coyle wary of Fulham attacking threat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Bolton boss Owen Coyle has warned his side they will come up against one of the more dangerous forward lines in the Barclays Premier League when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight.
The previous two meetings between the sides this season have produced only one goal, with Ivan Klasnic netting the winner for the Trotters in an FA Cup fifth-round meeting in February.
That match saw the return of Bobby Zamora after five months out with a broken leg, while Andy Johnson and Moussa Dembele are also back at peak fitness after lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Cottagers manager Mark Hughes found himself under pressure earlier this season following a run of only two wins in 18 games, but since then they have won five out of seven home matches, with their only defeat coming against Bolton in the cup.
Coyle said: "Mark Hughes is an outstanding manager and he always has been. I think they started with a lot of draws and then they had a little dip, as can happen to any team, but from that point on they've really picked themselves up and they've been going from strength to strength.
"They've had big injuries to key players. Bobby Zamora is a top player and to get him back with the strength in depth they have in that area - Clint Dempsey, Moussa Dembele, Andy Johnson - they're strikers that could play for anybody in the Premier League."
Tonight's clash will be another chance for Bolton to show they have fully recovered from the shock of their FA Cup mauling by Stoke at Wembley.
They responded in the best possible way by beating Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday and Coyle is hoping for more of the same at Craven Cottage.
The Scot said: "I didn't worry with this group of players. What happened, as hurtful as it was, was a freak. We've played 41 games and there haven't been many of those where we haven't reached a certain standard.
"We had to try to bounce back quickly. We had six games at that point and we wanted to try to get as many points as we could to continue the progress we've made at the football club.
"We managed to do that on Sunday and now we move on to a very tough game at Fulham. They're a quality side but it's another opportunity to get a win. We've won there in the cup this year and we have to try to do it again."
Victory in west London would lift the Trotters above Everton into seventh place and maintain their slim hopes of securing a Europa League spot.
Coyle added: "Where we sit in the league we recognise there's a clamour of clubs behind us hoping to continue their improvement and move up the league, and equally we've got to look above us to Everton and Liverpool and try to capitalise on our game in hand."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments