The real question for most Saints fans is will Guly play ?

On the face of it this game could have a very poor crowd tonight, Bolton arent the biggest draw in the Premier League by a long shot and a weakened side even less so, add to that the £20 price tag for a ticket (More if you pay on the day) and it isnt exactly great value for money.

Perhaps the only saving graces will be the signing of Brazillian Guly and the fact that Saints do have a real chance to dump out the Lancashire side and progress in the competition.

It will be interesting where Guly will slot into the side, he is a central midfielder and we already have two of those, it means one of either two things, Pardew isnt happy with Schneiderlin or Hammond or he is planning to revert to a 4-5-1 system with Guly as the attacking option behind the front striker.

The latter is the more likely of the two and would of couse negate the need to sign another striker as three should be enough if you are only starting one up front.

In truth most Saints fans arent really interested in this competition, it offers little chance of success and its seen as more a hindrance to the league campaign, especially as the JPT rounds are also coming up, to be blunt most would prefer a run in that and another trip to Wembley.

But for Alan Pardew its a vital game, firstly from a team point of view he nees to get them firing on all systems ready for the visit to Bristol on Saturday, secondly a defeat would take him one step nearer the sack, absurd as that may seem to many, its the case, a loss to Bolton would add more ammunition to the loaded gun that has been pointing at the manager for some time, a defeat at Bristol Rovers followed by failure to beat Rochdale at home a week later would probably see him sacked, in truth it would be hard to argue, a minimum from our opening games should be a point a game and thats only relegation form, less than that and I think that those Saints fans who were so solidly behind Pardew last term, will be calling for his head, the murmurings are already on the message boards.

Saints can win tonight though, at this stage last year Bolton struggled to a 1-0 win at Tranmere, in the League last term they were average and their away form was won 4 drew 3 lost 12, not great by anones standards, of course this term they have started well and that could act in Saints favour, their priority will be making sure they dont get dragged into a relegation fight as they nearly did last year, so it could be weakened side, the big question will then be are Bolton Reserves better than a League 1 outfit, I would hope not.

Photo: Action Images

saintossie added 09:56 - Aug 24 everyone has opinions of course but I don't get all (well isolated) negatives about pardew, he has signed good players and we had a cracking season last year and have only played 2 games this year in the league, of course pressure mounts if he loses the next 3 games etc etc but he hasn't yet and I haven't been run over by a bus and The taliban haven't blown up the civic centre!! yes these things COULD happen but very likely they won't so how about focusing on the positive because belive it or not we saints fans have a lot to be positive about. I travelled down on Saturday and did mention that i thought a link up/ flowing midfield player was more of a priority than a forward and lo and behold Saints announce just that sort of signing 48 hours later. I am confident this is going to be a good season, not easy because nothing is but lets be positive and remember where we are and what we are trying to overcome and so far doing quite a good job. .....p.s love this site by the way well done .

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Sam added 10:41 - Aug 24 One up front seems the more likely option than dropping one of Hammond or Schneiderlin I reckon. I disagree that we'd be ok with just three strikers though. Lambert up front on his own is fine, but I'm not sure how Barnard or Connolly will cope without someone next to them. Connolly is bound to get injured at some point as well.
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