Swansea vs Bolton preview - Taylor: We're on right track

Posted Saturday, October 29, 2011 by PA

Defender Neil Taylor insists Swansea will not suffer any hangover from their Molineux disappointment when they face Bolton at the Liberty Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers' side had looked on course for a first Barclays Premier League away win against Wolves last weekend, but lost a 2-0 lead in the final six minutes to end up taking only a point from their meeting with Mick McCarthy's side.

But they have the chance to bounce back and continue their excellent home record as Owen Coyle's struggling Wanderers head to south Wales.

And left-back Taylor, 22, says the hosts are ready to put on another impressive showing.

Taylor said: "Last week almost felt like a loss if we are honest. It was one where we lost two points instead of gaining one.

"But we have moved on from it, when you sit back and reflect on it and watch the video for 80-odd minutes we were very good.

"After defeat at Norwich it was a massive improvement, and it had to be because the performance at Norwich wasn't good enough.

"When you step back and look at things it was a really good performance away from home and it's something we can build on. We are back on home turf this week and hopefully we can do well this week.

"The gaffer did not have to tell anyone anything after the game. We were all sat there and knew that what happened wasn't good enough."

Rodgers is likely to name an unchanged side for the match.

Midfielder Kemy Agustien is back in training following a hamstring problem but the Liberty Stadium contest comes too soon for the Dutchman, while defender Steven Caulker is targeting next month's meeting with Manchester United for his return from a knee injury.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has backed Darren Pratley to go on a goalscoring run once the midfielder opens his Wanderers account.

Pratley was frequently on the scoresheet for his previous club Swansea, but has not found the net in 12 appearances since joining the Trotters in the summer.

Coyle believes the 26-year-old's first Bolton goal is getting nearer and that when it arrives, plenty more will follow.

Asked if Pratley was delivering what Coyle had hoped to get from him, the manager said: "I think for the most part, yes, but we know there is more to come from him, because one thing he has always been is a real goal threat from the middle of the park.

"It will come for him. He has been doing terrifically with the energy and quality he is bringing.

"He could have had two or three goals against Sunderland (a 2-0 loss last weekend) and on another day he will.

"He has got to keep banging on the door and it will fly wide open for him - when it does, those goals will go in."

Pratley spent five seasons with Swansea, during which time they won promotion to the Championship and then in May this year, to the Barclays Premier League.

He is set to play against his former employers for the first time when Bolton travel to the Liberty Stadium and Coyle feels Pratley deserves a warm welcome from the Welsh outfit's supporters.

"Darren was outstanding for Swansea - the goals he scored, the energy he brought, the performances he gave," Coyle said.

"He loved every second of his time there, but players move on and he came to Bolton Wanderers.

"I'd be very hopeful that the Swansea fans will give him the reception he deserves, given what he brought to the football club over many years and the huge contribution he made in helping them get to the Premier League."

Swansea have made a steady start to their maiden Premier League campaign, and after leading Burnley into the top flight in 2009, Coyle is all too aware of the "buzz" surrounding newly-promoted teams that Bolton - currently 18th in the table having lost seven of their last eight league games - will have to subdue if they are to come away with anything tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Bolton have confirmed on-loan defender Dedryck Boyata has suffered ankle ligament damage.

The Belgian youngster, who sustained the injury in the league defeat at home to Sunderland last Saturday, is facing several weeks on the sidelines and has returned to parent club Manchester City for treatment.

Coyle told www.bwfc.co.uk: "Dedryck is going to be out for up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

"It's a real shame, first and foremost for Dedryck because he has shown what a top player he is capable of being, and then secondly for the team and the football club."