ANYTHING can happen in a super-charged 'derby' game - and Bolton manager Colin Todd hopes it does!

The former Derby and England defensive giant brings his struggling Wanderers to Ewood on Saturday February 3, vowing they will not be lambs to the slaughter.

Todd was given sole responsibility to save Bolton from a quick return to the Endsleigh League after his managerial partnership with Roy McFarland was severed last month.

And on the eve of one of the club's biggest games of the season, Todd wasn't daunted at the prospect of Fortress Ewood.

He said: "Blackburn's home record this season has been incredible. But we have something in our favour that other clubs haven't. This is a 'derby' game and that means a passion to win

" If we can't get fired up for this game, we can't get fired up at all.

"My players will be ready to fight for every ball as if their lives depended on it, as well as play the football we are capable of."

Make no mistake, Bolton are fighting for the lives but they're not fighting alone. The club has already sold its 3,500 ticket allocation for the clash, which promises to be a real Lancashire hot pot.

"Of course the fans get restless and frustrated when their side isn't winning.

"But in recent weeks they have been absolutely fabulous and these are the sort of games they deserve," Todd observed.

Bolton have claimed only three Premiership scalps all season with the 2-1 win against Rovers back in August the prize catch. But Todd isn't using that as an incentive.

"That game was a long time ago and has no significance on Saturday's clash.

"The main thing is that we are positive, ready to handle Alan Shearer and somehow cut off his supply."

Bolton will again be looking for a flash of inspiration from their Yugoslav Sasa Curcic, who at £1.5 million from Partisan Belgrade has been one of the buys of the season.

The Burnden boys are favourites for the drop but talk of relegation in the Wanderers camp is unheard of.

"It's one thing me being confident that we won't go down but it's the players that count.

"After all they are the ones who run on to the pitch and win the points.

"And believe me, they are certain they will remain a Premiership side."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.