To sit at the summit, alongside Leeds and Middlesbrough, four games into the campaign and having played the quality of opposition we have is a fitting testament to the hard work the manager, his staff and players have put in over the summer months.
Ten points from 12 is a phenomenal effort by the group and firmly emphasises not only the quality and strength in depth we have at our disposal but also the never-say-die attitude and camaraderie which reverberates in the changing room.
On Wednesday evening against Birmingham City this was illustrated in abundance. Ben Alnwick was unbeatable and made several world class saves, while the back line defended stoically. The midfield not only did a terrific job in screening the defence, but also passed the ball around with flair and kept Birmingham on the back foot for large swathes of the match. Whilst our forwards, led superbly by Josh Magennis, who I am sure will claim the goal, never gave the Blues’ defence a minute’s peace.
All in all, a splendid performance played on our home soil and one which we will be looking to repeat on Saturday against the Blades.
I’ve seen some various comments recently from opposing managers and TV pundits who have commented on our style and luck. But for me, it’s our quality, team spirit and our outstanding levels of fitness and energy that are helping us get the results. Credit must go to the backs-to the-wall-approach and never-say-die attitude by our players and management staff in getting the job done and getting us over the line. Last season, we lost games where we should have won. Yes, it is great to have the rub of the green but I’m a firm believer that you make your own luck – and long may it continue!
As I have said on many occasions - even though we have a 100% record on our travels thus far - our home form will ultimately be the key indicator of our success in 2018/19. With the momentum we now find ourselves having, it is imperative that the Bolton Family turns out in force to get behind the team and help to turn the University of Bolton Stadium into an intimidating fortress.
So, if you haven’t already got your tickets for the game, please click here to buy them now. Let your friends, family and colleagues know and let’s aim to pack the stadium.
Season tickets are also available and still represent the most cost effective way of watching Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium this season. Please click here for more details.
We also have a wide range of hospitality and sponsorship packages available on a match by match and seasonal basis and your support in this regard will be really beneficial to the club as we aim to strengthen the squad. Please call our sales team on 01204 673761 to request a brochure and to discuss the packages available or visit our website here for more information.
We are absolutely delighted to have brought in Joe Williams who joins us from Everton on a season-long loan. Joe is a highly-rated midfielder who spent last season on loan at Barnsley and we are looking forward to working with him this season. We are also hopeful of recruiting a striker, who will provide some additional firepower to the squad, before the window closes.
Overall, I have been very pleased with the recruitment we have done this window and I’m sure you will all agree that the quality within the camp is far greater than it has been for some time with the manager having plenty of options and cover.
The flexibility the manager has at his disposal has been evidenced in recent games thanks to the use of our substitutes who are not only a fresh pair of legs but have also come onto the field and made an impact which clearly shows the strength in depth we have, particularly when games come thick and fast.
The third kit, which went on sale earlier in the week, has proved to be very popular indeed. It was great to see and read all the fantastic feedback. Please visit www.bwfcdirect.co.uk to buy our replica kits and other merchandise.
The first team squad will be having a signing session in Bolton Central on Tuesday afternoon, so it will be a great opportunity for you all to meet them and for your children to have their photographs taken with the lads. More details will be announced on the usual club channels.
Next Saturday we will make the short journey to our Lancashire neighbours Preston North End in our final game before the international break. Tickets are selling very well and it looks like we will be taking a very large contingent of fans to Deepdale to get behind the lads. There are still some tickets available so make sure you get them from Bolton Central to give the lads an extra boost.
Our next home game will be against QPR on Saturday 15 September and I hope to see a large crowd back at the University of Bolton Stadium for our return. Please click here to buy your tickets for this game.
Kind regards,
Ken