Switch article view:Match preview Coyle's positive thinking can save Bolton's season - Wright
By Julian Shea.
Kick off Saturday 4 February 2012 at 15:00, Carrow Road.
Manager Owen Coyle's positive thinking could yet prove to be Bolton's salvation this season, says Absolute Radio's voice of football Ian Wright.
The Trotters had a wretched first half of the season but look to have finally turned the corner and climbed out of the relegation zone - and Wright says it is largely down to their manager's continual backing of his side, no matter how results have been going.
On Saturday they visit Norwich, and you can hear full live coverage of the game on Absolute Radio's Rock 'n Roll Football show.
"I think Owen Coyle's slowly giving the team confidence because he's always backed them, even when they've been terrible, and now it's his payback time," says Wright.
Recently Wright lambasted Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas for saying he had given up on their hopes of winning the title, saying it sent out the wrong message to the players and gave them no motivation - but Wright says Coyle has got it exactly right.
"With Coyle, you see his after-game interviews and they're always very composed and positive, and I think that really has an effect on the team."
His Norwich counterpart Paul Lambert is someone else who has impressed this season, but the promoted side look to be running out of steam somewhat, and Wright says it is vital that they do not let their heads drop.
"This is where squads really get tested - Lambert's got them playing brilliantly, they've been unbelievable this season, but I just hope they don't start to fall off the pace and sit on their laurels - they've got to try and finish things off."
Norwich, who finally kept their first clean sheet of the season a couple of games ago, are likely to name the same side that lost at Sunderland last time out, with Steve Morison and Grant Holt leading the attack.
Canaries fans will happy to see Holt still at Carrow Road at all, following an approach from Rangers just before the transfer window shut. New signing Jonny Howson is not yet available as he recovers from a knee injury.
As for the visitors, they are still without long-term absentees Chung-Yong Lee, Stuart Holden and Sean Davis, but welcome back defender Tyrone Mears after a broken leg, and hugely experienced goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is in contention after a thigh injury.
New signing Marvin Sordell and loanee Ryo Miyaichi could make their debuts but American defender Tim Ream misses out as he is not back in the country in time.
Wright says he expects an extremely close game - but with Coyle's positive thinking and their habit of dealing with adversity this season, he thinks Bolton will just shade it.
"They've been playing badly all season but they'll go down there feeling that if they can keep it tight and frustrate Norwich, they can get something from it - I think Bolton might just sneak it."Listen to our football experts Russ Williams, Jim Proudfoot and Ian Wright for a look ahead to the weekend's games in Friday's edition of Ian Wright's podcast.
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