After a couple of league games Bolton’s youngsters get a crack at cup football tomorrow as they make the first of 625 visits to Rochdale this season.
Okay, that might be a touch facetious, but as well as tomorrow’s Carabao Cup tie, we’ll also go there in the league and will travel to Spotland too in the Leasing.com trophy. We just need to draw them in the FA Cup to complete the set.
It sounds as though Phil Parkinson may have some of the senior players available to him tomorrow, although Erhun Oztumer has an injury. What reception they would receive from the travelling Wanderers fans would be interesting to hear, to put it mildly, but with two games a week, potentially for four weeks if we got through this round, we could do with the bodies.
Dale have started the season well, tipped by some (including myself) to be at the wrong end of the table, they won 3-2 at Tranmere on the opening day, before drawing 1-1 with Doncaster at the weekend.
It’ll be a tough game, like they all are in our predicament, but the pressure is off at least being a cup competition. Brilliant if we won, but if we lose we will have forgotten all about this time next week. I’ll go for a home win, but you never know.
Tickets can be bought via Rochdale’s website, click here. Bolton fans will be in the Regency Estate Agent Stand. Rolls off the tongue.