Bolton can forget their league woes for a few days at least as they begin, and maybe even end their FA Cup adventure tomorrow.
Wanderers are home to Crewe in their first round tie, and it will be settled on the day, with extra time and penalties rather than replays this season to ease pressure on a congested season. Some may not be too bothered about the match, and rather us focus on the league, but a good performance is needed to boost confidence among players and fans, regardless of result.
🗣️ '𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙨.' 💬
🎥 Ian Evatt spoke to https://t.co/oVVl0dtnLo ahead of tomorrow's @EmiratesFACup First Round tie against @crewealexfc.#BWFC 🐘🏰 pic.twitter.com/uA9nSwgPhB
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) November 6, 2020
Team news
Ian Evatt has said he’ll go all out and pick the strongest available team. We’ll probably do the ‘out’ bit quite well. One change will have to happen at left-back, Harry Brockbank’s injury in midweek means Liam Gordon or Jamie Mascoll will come back in. Shaun Miller and Lloyd Isgrove may get a run-out from the bench.
Previously
We’ve already played Crewe twice this season, losing a friendly, then a game in the EFL Trophy.
The opposition
Crewe came up from League Two last season, so it’s probably too harsh to say they’re struggling, but they have 10 points from their opening ten league games, and have lost four of their last five, but it’s not like we’re in any great form ourselves, even if we are picking up some points occasionally. Luke Murphy could be a former player facing us tomorrow, while Jussi’s son could be in goal.
Prediction
A loss in extra time. 2-1.