Bento begins Bolton mind games March 06 2008
Bolton have had the customary 'long-ball merchant' tag slapped on them by Sporting Lisbon's manager Paulo Bento.
The former Portugal international has also accused manager Gary Megson's side of being "very physical" ahead of Thursday night's last-16 UEFA Cup first-leg tie at the Reebok Stadium.
It is a damning indictment of a team unbeaten in 10 games in this season's competition, a record which includes wins over Atletico Madrid and Red Star Belgrade, and a draw in Munich with Bayern.
But Bento said: "Bolton's style of football is that of a typical English team - they play the ball through the air and are very physical.
"In order to negate this problem, we have to pay attention at free-kicks and corners, and keep possession through the midfield.
"We have to concentrate, be passionate, but aggressive at the same time, and try to impose our own game upon them.
"Clearly, we will not be able to keep possession throughout the 90 minutes, but we will try and do so for as much as we can.
"We need to take the initiative, and to do that we have to fight for every ball every time. We have to go for it."
The 38-year-old manager at least respects the Trotters' form in Europe this season, even if Megson's side are struggling in the Premier League as only goal difference separates them from the relegation zone.
"If you look at the history of both clubs then we are a slight favourite," assessed the former midfielder.
"But you have to take into account Bolton have not lost in the UEFA Cup this season, beating Atletico Madrid and drawing with Bayern Munich.
"With that the advantage is not so big, and they are also playing at home in the first leg, so we know the difficulties we will encounter tomorrow.
"We obviously want to win. That is our objective. If we cannot do that then we will go for a draw and score goals.
"To do that we need to keep possession and protect ourselves."
Although the Lions boast a win at Dynamo Kiev in the group stages of the Champions League and a victory at Basle in the last round of the UEFA Cup, their away record in their domestic league this season is poor.
Bento's side have lost five and drawn four of their 11 matches, scoring just six goals, and is partly the reason why they are languishing in fifth, trailing leaders Porto by 17 points.
They have, though, developed a flair for knockout competitions as they are through to the final of the League Cup and semi-final of the Portuguese Cup.