THE stars do seem to be aligning, 20 years on from one of my favourite nights as a Wanderer.

There was certainly a White Hot echo about Saturday’s game when Sunderland came back from two goals down to rescue a replay.

It happened the same way when we let a lead slip against Liverpool. They went away and thought the next one would be a doddle.

We all know what happened at Anfield in 1993, and I think we can go and do the same thing at the Stadium of Light next week to book a home game against Everton – another one of my happy memories.

There were plenty of positives at the weekend. We defended crosses as well as we have for some time, and there was absolutely nothing you could do with Craig Gardner’s equaliser. If we had put three goalkeepers in, they wouldn’t have got anywhere near.

They had 16 corners and we had three – which tells you a little bit of the pressure we were under at times – and I think in general, we looked solid.

Andy Lonergan made three or four excellent saves in the second half too, so Adam Bogdan might be looking over his shoulder now and knowing he is ready.

The game isn’t over by a long stretch. Sunderland have picked up a couple of injuries and they are in that funny position in the Premier League where they might just have their attention on a relegation scrap.

In a funny way, I thought playing against a higher standard of opposition actually suited us.

There was a bit more respect, more time on the ball, and they weren’t chasing around like headless chickens.

I’d love to think they could tap into that same energy we did back then after a cup run.

Look at another of my old clubs, Bradford. What they are doing in the Capital One Cup is quite incredible.

It isn’t just about beating Villa, it is how they beat them. The crowd, the style, it all brought a lot of memories flooding back.

Bradford City Football Club deserves it because they have been through some terrible times in recent years.

I still have my doubts about whether they can hold on at Villa Park, even though it would be a great story.

The atmosphere in that city will be electric for the next couple of weeks and it would be great to think that a run in the FA Cup could do the same for Bolton.

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I HOPE Saturday was a fresh start for Marvin Sordell and that we can carry on talking about what he is doing on the pitch, as opposed to off it.

He got an opportunity against Sunderland, took his goal well, and must surely now be in the frame to play against Millwall this weekend.

Forget everything that went on down at The Den – he’s a professional, and he will desperately want to build on that performance.

There has been a lot made over the Tweeting and as I have said before, I think it ends up doing more harm than good, especially when you start taking on your own fans. It can’t help at all.

But it looks as if the club have got on top of that now, and hopefully this can be a new chapter in his career.

We have been crying out for a consistent goalscorer and I think Marvin has got to look at what he has got now and realise it could be a fantastic time in his career. He could be that man – and when he is banging in the goals, people won’t be talking about all the negative stuff that has followed him round since he came in a year ago.

I don’t think he’ll let what a few mindless idiots said down there prevent him from putting himself forward on Saturday, nor do I think all the Twitter hysteria will have any effect.

The thing is, players have a lot of time on their hands. And with that boredom factor, issues can arise.

It is hard to govern but there has to be a responsibility on the individual and I’m glad to see that the manager has tackled that.

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I DON’T think you can underestimate just what a boost having Stuart Holden back out on the pitch could be for Bolton.

No disrespect meant to anyone else, but he is the one they have missed. Had it not been for that Jonny Evans tackle at Old Trafford back in March 2011, then I think things would have worked out very differently for the club in the last couple of seasons.

But you don’t look back in anger – and I can’t wait to see Holden make a playing return at the Reebok.

His influence makes other players do things they wouldn’t normally do. He is a natural leader and the way he conducts himself out there just seems to bring others up to another level.

More importantly, he has the attitude we have been missing since dropping out of the Premier League.

How many times have we talked about the physicality of the Championship? There are a couple of lads who can handle themselves but the likes of Holden and Josh Vela can win battles that allow the boys who can really change games to do their stuff.

It looks as if Dougie Freedman wants to add that to his squad this month. And I think we’ll be a better side for it.

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THE signing of Craig Davies makes it five strikers at the Reebok – and there will be quite a battle on to get in the squad, let alone the side against Millwall.

Depending on the formation we go with, it could be two out on the pitch, two on the bench, and one unlucky man.

And with Stuart Holden and Josh Vela making progress, it looks like being that way in midfield soon too.

Everyone is looking over their shoulder and the more new players Dougie Freedman brings in, the more that will be the case.

I hope the competition we have been longing for brings the results we need too!