On the back of a three game losing streak, you’d expect the manager of tomorrow’s opponents to be more demanding of his side when West Ham rock up at the beautifully named ‘Toughsheet Community Stadium’ – a ground at which the Hammers have never once won.
Bolton Wanderers last couple of outings entailed a 4-0 loss to Millwall and a 3-2defeat to Sheffield United with manager Steven Schumacher demanding his players become more ruthless – just as West Ham arrive tomorrow on the back of two wins on the spin.
Speaking on their official club web site, in an article entitled perhaps unwisely – in for the kill’ – in view of his side’s performances compared to their opponents, The Bolton boss clearly expects much more than his side rolling over again:
““We spoke this morning about trying to be more clinical when we’re on top of games, being more ruthless, and when we can smell blood, trying to hurt teams, because that’s what they do to us,” said Schumacher.”
Bolton’s manager wants to attack West Ham when his team ‘smell blood’: One way or another, should be an entertaining game.
West Ham players and supporters will be hoping to the 7-2 aggregate scoreline after wins in the last two outings against Wolves and Derby. However, their opponents will be setting their stall out to go toe-to-toe with Nuno’s men rather than sitting back, according to Schumacher:
“There’s no point in us going into our shells and standing off West Ham and admiring them. We’re in the same division, so we’re going up against them, trying to compete and trying to get a result,”
All of which bodes well for the Hammers who have struggled somewhat to break down teams who sit back and operate a low block: Sounds as if Bolton will be coming out swinging tomorrow night which should suit West Ham nicely.