Chelsea-Bolton Wanderers Preview

Oct 29, 2009 - 2:38 PM MICK ROBERTS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Bolton manager Gary Megson has vowed revenge when Premier League leaders Chelsea visit the Reebok Stadium on Saturday three days after a humiliating League Cup defeat.

Bolton were crushed 4-0 by a rampant Chelsea side in a performance described by Megson as "not just the worst this season but for a long, long time."

Megson has half a week to get that setback out of Bolton systems in time for the second clash with Chelsea, hoping for a better reaction from his squad.

Megson said: "It was a complete and utter waste of time from start to finish. Chelsea battered us.

"I know they are an excellent team with some outstanding individuals but we made it easy for them.

"The only people come out of it well were our supporters who were singing even when we were four goals behind and struggling to keep it to that.

"We would have been better off saving the money on our travel. Our passing was poor, everything about us was poor.

"But Saturday is another day and we have home advantage, which will make a difference. I firmly believe we can beat them this time.

"For a start I will make sure we do not make it easy for them this time. We will need to deny them space and time, something we did not do at Stamford Bridge.

"The players know they let themselves down and are determined to show they can compete against clubs of Chelsea's standing. We were abject on Wednesday and we will be a whole lot better this time."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is warning his players not to believe that the 'return' fixture on Saturday will be as easy as Wednesday's fourth round cup clash.

"We know that Saturday is another kind of match so we must be ready for Bolton.

"I think we played very well to beat Bolton but they make it hard for us at their stadium. It will be a different performance."

Chelsea will be without goalkeeper Hilario who suffered from concussion after the Bolton match but first choice Petr Cech is likely to be recalled anyway.

One of Chelsea's midweek goal-scorers, Florent Malouda believes the secret of Chelsea's success on all league and cup fronts is the way goals have been spread among the team.

In Chelsea's last 16 matches there have been 37 goals scored by ten different players.

Malouda said: "The threat comes from everywhere. That is our strength at the moment. There is quality throughout the squad and everyone is capable of scoring.

"Against Bolton we were on top form but the test for us is in doing it again a few days later against the same opposition.

If we are to win trophies we must win in all circumstances and in all conditions."

Bolton, who were almost at full strength in midweek, will recall goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.