You’ll have seen the Bank’s Stadium. Or the Bescot Stadium to give it its original name. If you’ve been on the M6 around the West Midlands, you will have passed it. Tomorrow, we get to play there.
Wanderers travel to Walsall, still unbeaten, but now having drawn their last three. They face a Saddlers sid who have had a slow start to the season and sit just above the relegation zone. This is an opportunity to get back on track, but then we also expected to beat Southend.
Vital Quotes:
‘We have worked really hard for this start to the season, I`m pleased. When you don`t play at your best it`s important you don`t come away with nothing, and we did that.’
Phil Parkinson
‘Against Bristol Rovers I think you could sense a little bit of tension because of the criticism we have come under – both me and the players. It was important to get a point in that game because that will now push us into Bolton over the weekend.”
Walsall boss Jon Whitney
Walsall Team News:
Flo Cuvelier is out with an Achilles problem. Isaiah Osbourne and James O’Connor could return from injury, while Andreas Markis will have to be assessed.
Player to watch: Simeon Jackson
A free signing from Blackburn in the summer, Jackson scored twice in the first game of the season, Walsall’s only win so far, and has bagged another goal too.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Zach Clough has been training and could feature. Jay Spearing is suspended, Gary Madine is still injured. Tom Thorpe is tipped to make his first start.
Player to watch: Josh Vela
Well, the entire midfield will be under the microscope. With Spearing missing, what will Parkinson do? Thorpe is set to replace him, but so could Derik, or Vela, who has had a strong season so far, could slide back to Jay’s vacant position.
Match Facts & Stats
Walsall have won just one game so far, at home they have one win, one draw, and a loss.
Bolton have won two and drawn one of their three away games.
Bolton’s last trip to Walsall was in 2006, a 3-1 win in the League Cup. The last league trip ending in defeat. We lost 2-0, Michael Ricketts scored, so we signed him.
Match Prediction:
Bolton to win hopefully! 2-1
Next Fixtures:
We host Bradford next Saturday before a Tuesday night trip to Rochdale