I’d write a preview really bigging up this match, but I just don’t want to. This is a farce of a competition. It’s a humiliation that a club like ours is being used as a workout for a bunch of kids who’ll probably never win an international tournament.
It’s a joke that the Football League (sorry EFL) thinks they can decide who we play, and it’s also a joke how a ‘regional’ group has a team from the West Country in it. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hadn’t been grouped with Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Cheltenham Racecourse.
Tomorrow could and should be the lowest ever attendance for a competitive first team game at the Macron.
Now, I still want us to win any cup we play in, but if we do go out I hope it’s two under 23 teams at Wembley in front of 2,000 people, live around the world. That would be sweet.
Vital Quotes:
I don’t care what anybody has to say about this match quite frankly. Neither, seemingly, do the official websites, nor the Bolton News.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
We have to name five of the starting lineup on Saturday. This will obviously not include Mark Davies who suffered that awful injury on Saturday.
Player to watch: Kaiyne Woolery
Changes will still be made, and this could be a chance for Woolery to get a full 90 minutes and stake a claim. He has had runs in games, and scored in the EFL Cup loss at Blackpool, but that has been about it.
Everton U23 Team News:
I am really not sure where to start. Looking at the team from the last game, notable names include Kieran Dowell, Courtney Duffus and Jonjoe Kenny.
Player to watch: Harry Charsley
An Irish midfielder who seemingly knows where the goal is, having notched up three so far this season, the top scorer in the side. He has also represented the Republic at Under 21 level, where he has played with Conor Wilkinson
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton last played in this in the 1992-93 season, when we reached the quarter final of the Northern section.
We won the competition in 1989.
Everton have won all three of their U23 league games this season, and top Division 1 of Premier League 2
Our lowest attendance at the Macron was 3,673 for a League Cup game against Gillingham in 1999.
The lowest attendance at Burnden Park was 1,507 for a Trophy game against Rochdale in 1991.
Match Prediction:
2-1 to Bolton, but not knowing what to expect
Next Fixtures:
Home games against Southend and MK Dons over the next two weekends