Premier League preview: Bolton v Everton

Everton visit Reebok Stadium on Saturday as Owen Coyle tries to lift his struggling Bolton side out of the bottom three.

After a 2-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion sent them to their third defeat in four league matches – and ninth loss from 12 games this season – Coyle has demanded big improvements.

“I’m angry because it was a good chance for us to get a positive result and get that unbeaten run going – a win, a draw, whatever it takes,” Coyle told the Bolton News.

“And I have said to the players that they cannot let this type of opportunity pass them by.”

“I said to them ‘as long as I know when you come to work every day that you do your very best then you can look yourself in the mirror’.”

Full-back Joe Riley is a major doubt against Everton after damaging a hamstring at training.

Riley has featured in the last two games after getting the nod ahead of Gretar Steinsson.

The club will continue to assess the injury, but it looks unlikely that the 20-year-old will be fit.

With their collapse against West Brom, Bolton will have to make their home advantage count against an Everton side coming off a 2-1 win against Wolves.

Before that win, Everton had lost five of their six previous Premier League matches with their lone win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines both did well for England during the international break and with the pair grabbing both the goals against Wolves, manager David Moyes will be hoping for more good form to push Everton into the top half of the table.

Moyes said he has had to change Everton’s style of play this season because of a lack of flair in midfield, which has resulted in only six goals from open play.

“At the moment we don’t quite have the flair and ability to win it the way we have done in recent seasons with the likes of Mikel (Arteta) and (Steven) Pienaar.”

“But we certainly have a great heart beat among the players and we will be trying to keep digging out a few results.”