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Five-a-side: Best of both! Bolton Wanderers

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Birmingham City welcome bottom of the table side Bolton Wanderers to St.Andrews on Tuesday night after a 10 day break from the Sky Bet Championship.

Last time out, Blues recorded a draw against one of Bolton’s relegation rivals, Rotherham United, and the Trotters were unfortunate as they lost 3-2 to one of Blues’ play-off rivals, Brighton and Hove Albion.

When the two sides met earlier in the season, Blues started to hit a bit of form thanks to a reshuffle from manager Gary Rowett and the result saw former Wanderers defender Paul Robinson bag his second goal in as many games.

The fixture is a huge one for both sides, as is every game in this division. However, it is huge for different reasons. If the visitors win, they could potentially close the gap on 21st placed Brsitol City to just four points. If Blues win, they could close the gap on Derby County who sit in sixth.

It was quite difficult again this week to pick a team that I thought was of a high standard but in actual fact, choosing players from Bolton wasn’t difficult because they have some very gifted individuals.

Down below is the five-a-side team that I would choose if I had to pick one for a fixture. This week, it includes two players from the Trotters and three from the Blues.

GK: Tomasz Kuszczak.

This may be getting boring for many fans now but the fact of the matter is is that Kuszczak is turning into one of the best buys of the season, especially as he was a free!

So far this campaign, the former Manchester United man has managed to keep 12 clean sheets, which from my understanding is one of the best in the league.

The Polish keeper has been a huge part of what Rowett has brought into the club this season and if he can continue to be the fantastic last line of defence then Blues will be in good stead in the build up to the run in.

DF: Ryan Shotton.

Bit of a funny one defence is this week folks! I have chosen to go with Shotton purely based on last weeks performance against the Millers.

On his full debut, the on loan defender managed to keep a clean sheet in what potentially could have been a banana skin fixture for Blues.

The versatile Rams man has plenty to offer going forward and in his own box and some of the last ditch blocks he made last week just can’t get out of my mind.

MF: Wellington Silva and Liam Feeney.

I have decided to choose the duo from Bolton because despite them being bottom of the league, they have performed rather well as individuals throughout the season.

Feeney has managed to find the back four times in 35 games so far this season in the league making him Wanderers’ joint second top goal scorer.

The reason why I have picked him to go into my five-a-side team for this weeks game is because I think he is somebody that could cause Blues a fair few problems.

His runs from midfield aren’t always picked out with passes from his own players but if he does receive the ball he will be a very tricky customer for Blues on the day and I am sure Rowett knows that.

Next to the former AFC Bournemouth maestro is his team mate and on loan Arsenal man Silva.

Although Wellington hasn’t played as many games as Feeney, the games he has played in he has been good from what I have witnessed.

In 20 games, the 23 year old has found the back of the net twice but that isn’t why I have picked him at all!

His sheer pace and skill on the ball is going to cause Blues plenty of problems and I think if he can get the right service to his feet then he will be somebody who will trouble Blues all night.

ST: James Vaughan.

Blues fans will be screaming at their screens right now saying ‘why on earth have you picked Vaughan ahead of Clayton Donaldson!’.

I’ll tell you why Bluenoses, Vaughan isn’t actually a bad striker, he just hasn’t been able to get into the side since Donaldson has returned which I believe has stopped us seeing the best of him.

I would love to see him partner Donaldson up front against the Trotters but it probably won’t happen as Rowett will not deviate from his tried and tested formation.

However, if it did happen, I think we could see a lot of goals and it will be something that could come into play further down the line this campaign.

Blues and Bolton fans, what do you make of this weeks five-a-side team? Do you agree with the players that have been picked for each position? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!

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