THE strength of Wanderers' promotion hand will be displayed in all its glory at Prenton Park on Saturday . . . by the quality of players who don't make the starting line up. Colin Todd will be spoiled for choice when he picks the team to face Tranmere for the second time in a month.
And it won't be a case of discarding the under-achievers when the manager draws up his game plan as he looks to put more pressure on the Division One pacemakers.
For many of those who are left out will have played a part in helping get Wanderers back on the promotion track after the indifferent run that brought just one win in 10 games.
Mark Fish, who had played well in the rock-solid wins at Ipswich and Stockport, discovered to his cost that there are no automatic choices when he failed to regain his place after being suspended against Bury. Todd elected to stick with his two loan signings Jon Newsome and Paul Warhurst as his centre-back pairing at Wolves.
Now Mike Whitlow, impressive in the No 3 slot up to being suspended for the Molineux game, could find his way blocked by Robbie Eliiott, who did well in the 1-1 draw that saw Wanderers' new-found solidity stand up well to another tough test. With Dean Holdsworth, Gudni Bergsson and Jimmy Phillips also in contention, Todd has a variety of options, should he decide to chance things.
But Tranmere boss John Aldridge must know his side will face a stronger, more confident Bolton side than when his Rovers, aided by two controversial penalty awards, finished strongly against 10 men in the 2-2 draw at the Reebok on November 14.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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