We visit what is now named the University of Bolton Stadium. Relatively speaking, we haven't played Bolton loads in our history (42 times). We have never won at the their current stadium, and our last victory at their old ground was 11 visits ago, a 3-2 win on the final day of the 93/94 season. We've only won away at Bolton 3 times in our history, the first of which was during our cup run of 1912. It's certainly one of many bogey grounds we have. Whilst we are separated only by goal difference at present, back to back defeats has seen Bolton slip out of the play-off places, after suffering just 2 defeats in the 10 games prior. Those first two defeats came against Plymouth and Wednesday, however their current dip in form has seen them lose to both Forest Green and Cheltenham, two sides currently in the bottom 6. On home soil, Bolton have a near perfect record, with the defeat to Wednesday back in August being their only dropped points at the University of Reebok Arena. 4 of their 5 victories at home have also resulted in a clean sheet. Despite being flat vs Exeter, I can see us getting a good result in this one. Michael Duff seems good at getting a reaction out of the team after a poor display (see Wednesday after Lincoln, Cambridge after Port Vale, Ipswich after Wycombe), and we appear to be performing slightly better away from home, especially when backed by a sizeable away following. Our largely second string side put in a decent first half performance in the Pizza Van Windscreen Cup this week, which hopefully will put some pressure on the first team to perform. I'm going for 1-2 with Cole and Norwood on the score sheet. You reds!!
We struggle against the quicker sides when we have little or no pace. I think we’ll lose this in central midfield, sorry all. Typical away loss, 3-1 or 2-0. Hope it isn’t, though. It’s just a gut feeling.
Tough one to call this. Not a happy hunting ground for us over the years but I’m hoping Duff gets a reaction out of us after the Exeter horror show. I’ll sit on the fence at 1-1….
I had 2-2* in my head, but after reading your post, I'm starting to think a clear defeat is on our hands. * but then I was convinced it would be 3-1 against Exeter
https://www.11v11.com/matches/bolton-wanderers-v-barnsley-26-december-1997-23125/ Ahhh Boxing Day 1997. Bring back Hristov he knows how to score there.
Tricky away day, 2 maybe 3 nought to the Reds, maybe under par with last game, defence were poo, midfield non existant, and fored's might as well av stayed at home, injury could av had summat to do with it, no excuses this week. C,O,Y,R,