The new season looks a little closer now, on a day where not only the league fixture list was confirmed, but Bolton also learned their first round opponents in the Carabao Cup, and the Papa John’s Trophy group was also completed.
The league fixtures were confirmed this morning. Nicely, Wanderers start and finish the season at home. We welcome MK Dons to the UniBol on the weekend of August 7th, while Fleetwood come to our place on what at the moment is 30th April, although in recent seasons League One’s final day has often ended up on the Sunday, so it could yet still be a 1st May finish. People will have their own opinions and all that regarding the schedule, but at the end of the day everyone plays everyone home and away, unless there’s another hard lockdown. It’s good to be finishing in front of our own fans though, just in case we need something on the final day.
I don’t imagine any games moving for TV in the early months, except for the away game at Sheffield Wednesday in October. It falls on an international weekend, and two of the bigger clubs in that league might entice Sky to move it.
Speaking of South Yorkshire clubs, Barnsley are our opponents in the Carabao Cup first round, we’re at home against last season’s Championship play-off semi-finalists. It will be a test, but Barnsley will be coming to terms with losing their manager, after Valerien Ismael took the West Brom job this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are the U21 side we’ll be facing in the EFL trophy. Meh.