Wanderers must tighten up, says skipper (From The Bolton News)

Wanderers must tighten up, says skipper

9:20am Saturday 31st October 2009

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KEVIN Davies has called on Wanderers to shut up shop against Chelsea.

Not since May have the Whites kept a clean sheet — the only side in the Premier League who have failed to do so this season – and they have failed to keep out the Blues on home turf for the last seven years.

So if Wanderers are to reverse the trend at the Reebok this afternoon, Davies believes improvement is necessary from front to back if they are to keep the league leaders at bay.

“It’s something we’re trying to put right, through from Jussi to myself,” the skipper said. “We haven’t kept a clean sheet this season, it has been a long time, so we are going to have to improve on that right throughout the team — it’s not just the back lads and the keeper.

“As a whole group, we have got to improve. Winning 1-0 should be enough for us.”

By contrast, with 14 goals to their name, Wanderers have scored more goals than anyone outside the top eight. A shift in midfield personnel has given Gary Megson’s side more attacking options, and Davies has again called for a team effort to keep the goals flowing.

“We always seem to score at the moment,” Davies said. “Tamir has scored a few, and has been a bit of a surprise for us.

“Ivan scored against Everton and Gary Cahill is always a threat at set pieces, and he’s a good finisher especially with his head.

“It’s something we are trying to spread throughout the team.

“Big Zat is expected to chip in with a few with his size, and it’s something we can all do, through the defence, midfield and front lads.”

A much-improved performance from their meek Carling Cup exit will be needed if Wanderers intend to claim anything from their second meeting with Chelsea this week.

The 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge was somewhat of a wake-up call, after some encouraging recent results.

And Davies still sees plenty of room for improvement at the Reebok, where the Whites have often flattered to deceive this season.

“We have been disappointed with the results from our home games in general,” he said. “The draw against Tottenham a few weeks ago was probably our best performance of the season but we didn’t win the game.”

Megson has no new injury worries for this afternoon’s game, but is likely to make at least four changes to the side humbled in West London.

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