Firstly, a very merry Christmas to Bolton Wanderers fans around the world. It’s been a car crash of a year, both hopefully you’re enjoying today as best you can.
Now, onto the Boxing Day preview. We’re off to Carlisle as Bolton look to bounce back from last weekend’s embarrassment against Tranmere. A win though would get us back into the top half. On paper, getting a result at Brunton Park would be tough, but these end up the type of games we do well in before a dismal home defeat a few days later…
IAN EVATT | Manager ahead of Boxing Day fixture at Carlisle United – YouTube
Team news
Peter Kioso and Andrew Tutte are both back in contention, while Lloyd Isgrove may be saved for Tuesday’s match at home to Morecambe, according to Ian Evatt. That seems to mean a rejig of the wing-back/midfield five will be on the cards. Arthur Gnahoua, Liam Edwards and Dennis Politic are still unavailable.
Previously…
This is Bolton’s first trip to Brunton Park since March 1988, when we ran out 2-0 winners en route to promotion from Division Four.
The opposition
Carlisle are having a strong season, currently third in the league and luckily for them, they can even have fans tomorrow. They’re not a possession based team, and whether it was Evatt just trying to make a point to his players, but he expects a physical game tomorrow afternoon. Manager Chris Beech had his contract extension announced this morning.
Prediction
I’ve give up trying to predict our results. In the bizarre event of things going to the form book, this should be a Carlisle win. 2-0.