After defeat last week and a lot of results not going our way on Saturday and Tuesday Bolton’s play-off hopes have taken a knock. But it’s not over, and tomorrow’s trip to Gillingham gives us an opportunity to try and cut back that gap to the top six once again.
IAN EVATT | Manager ahead of Gillingham away fixture – YouTube
Team news
The most significant bit of team news is the absence of Gethin Jones. His mother passed away this week after suffering from motor neurone disease, and understandably, he will be given as much time away as he feels he needs. Adam Senior has been recalled from his loan spell at Chorley. Elias Kachunga isn’t far away, he is back in full training but tomorrow will be too soon for him.
Possible XI: Trafford; Senior, Almeida Santos, Johnston; Fossey, Williams, Morley, John; Dempsey; Afolayan, Charles
Last time
Our last trip to Priestfield was in August 2019, three days after Football Ventures purchased the club. Jack Hobbs was allowed to be registered, but otherwise the lineup involved the same youngsters and odd sprinkle of first team experience as we fell to a third straight 5-0 defeat.
The opposition
Two seasons on, we go to Gillingham with the Kent side the ones staring relegation in the face. Steve Evans recently departed, with new boss Neil Harris steadying things a little, having just lost once in the last five games. Vadaine Oliver is the club’s top scorer this season, while despite losing John Akinde and obviously Kyle Dempsey in January they were able to sign Ben Thompson, Pontus Dahlberg, Charlie Kelman and Conor Masterson.
Prediction
The directness will cause problems, and we are without Gethin Jones, but hopefully we’ll get something. 1-1.