Let's hope Albion can stay smiling

Albion blogger Jarrod Hill does not want the bubble to burst at home to Bolton in the first game back after the Baggies' historic win at Arsenal.

Albion blogger Jarrod Hill does not want the bubble to burst at home to Bolton in the first game back after the Baggies' historic win at Arsenal.

I don't think I have ever had a week where every single football fan of other football clubs wants to talk to me about the Albion.

Our run of results has surprised not just us but everyone else in football, and I am sure Premier League teams will be more wary of facing us now than in previous seasons.

Tomorrow presents another opportunity to put more points on the board when Bolton arrive in town on the back of a shock result of their own.

They drew 2-2 with Manchester United last week, a result that may have received more media attention had it not been for our own result at the Emirates.

But Bolton at home is a game we all would have targeted as a game to garner points from in our bid to survive this season and, although this game still remains an excellent opportunity for points, our recent run of results has taken a great deal of pressure off both boss Roberto Di Matteo and our boys in blue and white.

Before a ball was kicked this season you would have placed Bolton at home in the 'must win' category along with the Wigans, Blackpools and West Hams of this world.

Yet this season is shaping up to be quite extraordinary. I now see tomorrow's game as a must not lose, for the simple reason I see Bolton as a team who will be involved in the bottom half of the table come May.

Di Matteo will again have to get his team selection right against a team who like to play their football in a certain style.

Their key player is Kevin Davies up front, he links all of their attacking play together and is one of the most under-rated players in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see who the head coach tasks with shackling him.

Bolton also have two other players I rate highly. Martin Petrov is a very experienced winger who when on his game can torment full-backs, while central midfielder Lee Chung-Yong has become one another consistent performer.

At the back they have Zat Knight and Gary Cahill who will provide a threat at set pieces and, of course, the returning Paul Robinson.

I for one will give him a cheer before kick off, in honour of the service he gave us during his time at the Hawthorns.

His form may have slipped in his final season with us and I believe his move to Bolton has been good for all parties involved.

I also see him as a part of the Bolton defence we can target, because whoever Roberto chooses to play out on the right they will have the beating of Robbo for pace.

I would be tempted to play Somen Tchoyi out there, his speed and trickery would test Robbo's battling qualities and he is the type of player that used to give him real problems while wearing a Throstle on his chest.

But I can see us playing an unchanged starting line-up to last week, the age old adage of not changing a winning team has become the mantra of many a good manager and, barring injury, Roberto must be keen to see his boys keep their run going.

An unchanged side would see a bench containing Graham Dorrans and if you had said that before a ball was kicked this season many, including myself, would have raised an eyebrow.

Dorrans has had his own personal problems recently and remains one of our best players, but it's testament to the squad of players we have at our disposal that we can even consider leaving him on the bench.

However, we saw against Birmingham that having a game changing bench can make all the difference.

As ever, I am looking forward to tomorrows game, and the longer we can remain unbeaten at home the better.

I just don't want the bubble to burst!

Up the Baggies!