West Brom-Bolton Wanderers Preview

Posted Saturday, May 05, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Bolton Wanderers face a huge game in their bid to escape relegation when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to the Reebok Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Owen Coyle's Bolton side are in the bottom three going into the penultimate round of games, and their veteran forward Kevin Davies knows that the West Brom match is a must-win.

"Sunday becomes a massive game for the club, for me, for everyone," said Davies. "It's one of the biggest games I think I have played in since I have been here. For some of the people selected on Sunday it could be the biggest game of their careers.

"To compare it, I can only think of a few years ago when we went down to Chelsea and it was going to take a big swing in goal difference. That went to the last game, but we were safe really.

"We know what is required and it's going to take people to stand up and be counted. There is no hiding now. We have to beat West Brom, that's it. If QPR or Villa win on Sunday then we'll have to go to Stoke on the final day and get something as well.

"Anything can happen but realistically we'll need at least four points from the last two games. We are trying to do it the hard way but I do know Sunday is a must-win game and that we'll need to be stronger than we were against Spurs."

West Brom are comfortably in mid-table and will be led by Roy Hodgson in his second to last game before moving permanently into his new role as England manager.

"This is the pinnacle of his career," said Hodgson's number two Keith Downing. "There is no better man at it in terms of experience and dealing with situations.

"He has gone around the world and dealt with different people like the Inter Milan experience. He dealt with the senior players there. He has handled all that. There is all this doubt about can he deal with senior players, was the Liverpool job too big for him, etc.

"We all put a different spin on but the bottom line is every player who has worked with him - and you can ask Steven Gerrard and people like that - will back that up.

"There is a diligence about him and an enthusiasm about him to get players to be better and the England players will embrace that. I think he is aware of the magnitude of being analysed every single day. He is big enough and wise enough to handle those criticisms.

"Is he the right man? We will find out and he is aware results are the most important thing, but I can assure everyone it will be diligently thought out.

"His work will be with a massive enthusiasm for someone who is 64, he is out there on the training ground every day, every detail is covered, the players are always learning.

"Even the senior players at England will pick up things, it will all be well prepared and hopefully for Roy, England will get some good results."

Bolton have doubts over Gretar Steinnson and Darren Prately due to illness. Fabrice Muamba, Tyrone Mears (knee), Ricardo Gardner (thigh), Chung-Yong Lee (broken leg) and Stuart Holden (knee) remain out. Steven Reid (ankle) and Zoltan Gera (knee) are missing for the rest of the season, while the Baggies also have doubts over Shane Long (knock) and James Morrison (knee).

Bolton have lost just three of their last nine home games. West Brom have kept three straight clean sheets and have secured a third successive top-flight season for the first time in Premier League history.