Knight homes in on Reebok victory

24 October 2009 13:19
Wanderers have received plaudits for their recent form, which has included a five-match unbeaten run and impressive performances against Tottenham and Manchester United, but so far a league victory at the Reebok Stadium has eluded them. Having opened the campaign with two defeats, the team's improvement since then has been encouraging. But Knight knows that winning home fixtures will be essential if they are to push on - starting with the visit of Everton. "I think we can do it on Sunday," said Knight. "I believe in the Premier League that if you can win your home games, that is a big part of survival in the league. But it is also a big part of the other goals you want to achieve, if you want to finish in Europe or in the top half. "You have to start doing things at home, and then on the road you can pick up a point here and there. It all stems from the matches at home." Everton's displays over the last couple of weeks suggest they could be the perfect opponents for Bolton right now, in their quest for a home win. The Toffees have disappointed in consecutive 1-1 draws at home to Stoke and Wolves in the league and were thrashed 5-0 by Benfica on Thursday in the Europa League, but Knight for one will not be under-estimating David Moyes' side. "We can look back at their weaknesses and where they got punished, but obviously they are going to want to bounce back and get something on Sunday against us," said Knight. "I think we just have to go into it with our own game and be strong-minded. "If we can bring the form that we showed in the second half against Man United, I'm sure we can beat them." Knight will line up alongside central defensive partner Gary Cahill again, whose reputation has continued to blossom this season. With several international call-ups already under his belt, Cahill could yet be in the running to make Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup next year - something Knight believes reflects well upon his own performances and the progress of the entire Bolton team. "I think if he is getting the headlines, it shows what I've been doing as well - because we are playing together," he said. "With him getting into the England squad, I hope he can show a bit of what I and the rest of the team have been doing. "If someone from Bolton is getting into the England squad, our team must be doing something right. "I think centre-half is the hardest position to get into in the England team - you have got the captain at centre-half and Rio (Ferdinand), one of the best defenders in the country. "Then there's other centre-halves who are always in the squad like Matthew Upson - so it's tough. "But I think Gary Cahill is unlucky at times, because I really truly believe he should be given a chance in there." Knight, who signed for Bolton in the summer on a three-year-deal, praised Gary Megson for rejuvenating his career after it had stalled during a two-year stint at Aston Villa. "I'm really enjoying it here. The boys are very friendly, and I feel I have fitted in very well," he said. "I knew half of the team before I came here, and the manager has given me a new lease of life - playing me week in week out, whereas it was much more stop-start at Villa. "The way he prepares his teams is great. I say to all my friends and family, every game I go into I feel very confident that we are going to come out with something - and I haven't felt like that for a long time."

Source: Team_Talk