After a Papa John’s win in midweek, Bolton are back in action tomorrow, aiming to make it four wins in a row in all competitions as they travel to Sheffield Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, we were trying to work out if we had a bit of a reality check or something like that. It’s amazing how things can turn quickly. It’s arguably the game of the day in the entire EFL, with two big clubs for League One going head to head. in fact it’s the first time we’ve met at this level, and we’ll be taking 3,000 fans or so over the Snake Pass to Hillsborough. With a number of games off due to international call-ups, Bolton would definitely go fifth with a win, but they could even go third.
What the manager said
“I think we’re 11 games in and it’ll be 12 on Saturday, which is over a quarter of the season gone already,” he told the Bolton News. “We’ve had a conversation this morning and we don’t feel like there’s anything to fear really. We feel comfortable with where we’re at. We feel like we’ve left points out there, but I’m guessing most teams would feel that way.”
Team news
Bolton should have nearly everyone available, including Gethin Jones, who had to come off last week. Andrew Tutte, Xavier Amaechi and Liam Edwards remain the three first team players out of action.
Possible XI: Dixon; Jones, Almeida Santos, Johnston, John; Williams, Lee; Isgrove, Sarcevic, Afolayan; Doyle
Last time out
Bolton’s last trip to Hillsborough came in their last Championship campaign. In November 2018, we lost 1-0 after a Tom Lees goal in the second half.
The opposition
Sheffield Wednesday went down from the Championship last season but manager Darren Moore was eventually backed in the summer and it looked like a side who were a good bet to go straight back up, But a bright start has since faded, and they go into this match 12th, three points behind us. One time Bolton loanee Barry Bannan has settled in Sheffield, and the technically good midfielder is now club captain. Defender Dominic Iorfa missed most of last season, but was their player of the year in the 2019-20 season. Callum Paterson, who can and has played everywhere except for in goal at some point in his career, should be a direct threat up front and three seasons ago was a Premier League player at Cardiff.
Prediction
We could even win tomorrow, it wouldn’t surprise me given we love an away day at the moment, I’ll err on the side of caution though and go for a 1-1 draw.