Nolan Prepares For Nancy.....Sorry Marseille

Last updated : 23 February 2006 By Matt Bottom

The Wanderers skipper admits the French club unsettled his men by faking injuries and slowing up the game during last week's 0-0 draw at the Reebok.

But Nolan claims Bolton have a score to settle and are still confident of gaining a place in the last 16 at the Stade Velodrome.

Sam Allardyce's men were denied three good penalty shouts during a fiery first leg - although their Greek forward Stelios was also guilty of some theatrics when he was brought down by Marseille's Lorik Cana.

Nolan, 23, rapped: "When you play in Europe you know you are going to get that. But they were going down and faking it that much you really did think they were hurt.

"It's part and parcel of their game. It was not much of a surprise because the other teams who have come to us have been like that.

"But they do like to over-react in the challenges.

"They go down and make sure they stay down so it stops the play and makes the game stop-start.

"We got knocked out of our rhythm and they must be good tactics because it stopped us playing our normal game.

"They came to our place, they wanted to get a good result and they got it.

"They probably went home happy with what they had done. You could say we have a score to settle."

Meanwhile, fellow Bolton midfielder Gary Speed says he's loving the club's heavy schedule.

The 36 year-old said: "It's great we are talking about being in two cup competitions at this time of year.

"It shows how far we have come. But we can't be happy with that, we have to keep progressing.

"Our squad isn't the biggest and we've also got a backlog of fixtures in the Premiership too.

"But if anyone can roll up their sleeves and keep going in all competitions, it's us.

"Being successful is all about playing lots of games, so bring 'em on.

"The first leg against Marseille didn't go for us. Hopefully we'll get a few decisions going our way in the second leg.

"We are still unbeaten this year and if we get an away goal we believe we'll go through."

Speed was part of the Newcastle side beaten at Marseille by two Didier Drogba goals in the UEFA Cup semi-finals two years ago.

He admitted: "That match was not a good point in my career because we got to a major semi-final but didn't play well on the night.

"Drogba scored two great goals and we didn't really trouble them.

"We had put in a promising performance in a 0-0 draw at St James' Park and fancied ourselves.

"It's a pretty similar situation to what Bolton are in now so, hopefully, history will not repeat itself."