SCOTT SELLARS has many qualities but timing is not among them. He might have two championship medals on display at home but he left Leeds United and Blackburn before the clubs won their titles and it seems likely that his move from Newcastle United to Bolton Wanderers will complete a hat-trick.
In fact the midfield player is certain that his £750,000 transfer to Burnden Park last month will deny him a prize. "I can't see anyone stopping Newcastle," he said. "They were already the hottest favourites for years and the odds will shorten now they are out of both cup competitions.
"Newcastle could lose it but they would need a really sticky patch for the rest of the pack to catch them up."
No patch could be more adhesive for the Premiership leaders than a home defeat today by bottom-placed Bolton who have accrued just one point from 33 on their League travels. Against a Newcastle side who are chasing a 12th successive Premiership win at St James' Park, the Wanderers would appear to have about as much chance of succeeding as the Duchess of York becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Particularly as Bolton will be without Chris Fairclough and Gerry Taggart, who are suspended, which more than makes up for the likely absence from Newcastle's team of Les Ferdinand with a hip injury. "They don't have a danger man," Sellars said ruefully. "they have 11."
Newcastle will go 12 points clear tonight if they win because Manchester United do not play at West Ham until Monday although Newcastle's assistant manager Terry McDermott was not counting points or chickens. "Anyone expecting an avalanche for us could be surprised," he said. "Bolton have been unlucky recently with last minute goals denying them points. They are not as bad as people think they
Neither are Manchester City although there will be plenty who fear yesterday's purchase of Nigel Clough will be too late if they lose to the team immediately above them in the table, Coventry City, at Maine Road today.
Only Bolton have conceded more goals on their travels than Coventry but against that no team has scored fewer times than City. It is to address this failing that Alan Ball might give a full debut to Martin Phillips, the 19- year-old winger he has said could become England's first £10m player.
"A lot of our supporters have been wondering when I'm going to give Martin his first full game in the senior side," he said. "and there's a possibility he'll get his chance. He'll definitely be involved in some capacity."
If City were shocked to get five goals in the Cup against Leicester on Wednesday it was nothing to the raised eyebrows at Blackburn and Arsenal who surrendered to First Division opposition in midweek.
Arsenal get back to league business when they meet Everton at Highbury with their manager Bruce Rioch facing team selection problems. David Platt is out after a second knee operation in five months while centre backs Tony Adams and Martin Keown will miss the game as they start two-match suspensions.
Changes in their line-up then, but maybe not as many as at Ewood Park where Ray Harford yesterday appeared to be running out of patience with players who have gone from playing for the championship to playing for pride in the space of eight months.
"There was a complacency, lack of spark," the manager said about the 1-0 defeat by Ipswich. "I saw it early on and it became apparent to everyone else. Ironically it was the same team who had played so well against QPR last Saturday."
Middlesbrough, too, have suffered a lack of spark of late, losing four successive league matches and that drama will take the appearance of a crisis if they lose again today at Southampton. To make things worse the visitors could be without Juninho, who has a knee injury.
Maybe the England job will seem attractive to Bryan Rob son after all.
London Independent Service
Rangers manager Walter Smith knows his side must maintain their fine recent form if they are to overcome Hearts at Ibrox today - and retain their slender Scottish League Premier Division lead.
The Scottish champions, bidding for their eighth successive title, hold only a two-point advantage over Glasgow rivals Celtic at the top of the table after the latter won their two games in hand to narrow the gap.
And Smith, who will be without Paul Gascoigne today as the England midfielder starts a two match ban will also be without two more midfielders in Stuart McCall and Derek Mclnnes.
Celtic travel to Rugby Park to take on Kilmarnock and face an anxious wait on the fitness of Andreas Thom. The German striker had to be replaced at halftime of the midweek victory at Hearts, with substitute Andy Walker scoring the 83rd minute winner.
"It will be a last-minute decision, and if Thom does not make it then Walker will keep his place," said Burns.
