Wanderers make the short trip to the Wham Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on Accrington Stanley, with the team looking to produce a positive response following the disappointing midweek defeat at Fleetwood Town.
Ian Evatt’s side have been going through a sticky patch in their league fixtures away from home and are currently on a run of five successive Sky Bet League One away defeats – all concerned will be looking to put that right on Saturday, just 24 miles up the road.
In contrast to that, Wanderers are unbeaten in six home fixtures in all competitions and haven’t fallen to defeat at the University of Bolton Stadium since the loss to Wigan Athletic in mid-October. The form on the road leaves much room for improvement.
Pre-match quotes: From the bosses
Ian Evatt: “The last time they (Bolton) went to Accrington I think they lost 7-1 so we have to make sure we’re a lot better than that and give the supporters something to sing about.
“Hopefully they’ll support the players in the right way. I’m sure they will and we can get a good result and a good performance.”
John Coleman: “Football is a rollercoaster. Bolton have had some unbelievable highs this year, they have played some really good, attractive football and were among the top goal scorers for long periods of the season.
“Then sometimes they find a way to lose, that was the case on Tuesday. If you look at the game, there were chances for both teams.”
Team news
Wanderers’ struggle with a sizeable injury list has been well-documented in recent weeks, but Ian Evatt confirmed some positive news ahead of Saturday’s trip to Accrington Stanley.
MJ Williams has recovered from a dislocated shoulder sustained at Wycombe Wanderers last month and will return to the squad. Adam Senior has been recalled from his loan with National League North side York City and could make his return to the squad, as could Harry Brockbank after overcoming his injury.
Amadou Bakayoko is progressing well and could make a return before Christmas, whilst skipper Ricardo Almeida Santos will miss out on Saturday afternoon due to a one-match suspension following his dismissal in Tuesday’s defeat at Fleetwood Town.
Tickets and Travel
Wanderers’ allocation of tickets for Saturday’s fixture has sold out.
Last time out
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Accrington Stanley | Saturday 29 February 2020
Wanderers restored a little bit of pride with a goalless draw against Accrington Stanley at the University of Bolton Stadium just a couple of weeks before the season was curtailed due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Stanley had proven to be an incredibly tough opponent for Keith Hill’s side during a season where John Coleman’s side were 7-1 winners in the Sky Bet League One clash at the Wham Stadium in late November 2019 – whilst Stanley also won 2-0 a couple of weeks later on the same venue in the Football League Trophy.
The first half saw Wanderers dominate with chances falling to Daryl Murphy and Ali Crawford, only for the pair to be denied by Stoke City loanee stopper Joe Bursik. Joe Dodoo went close on a couple of occasions in the first half also, before Jordan Clark forced Remi Matthews into an exceptional save late on as both sides fought out a goalless draw.
Line-Up: Matthews, Hobbs (Zouma 46), Fleming, Bryan, Nsiala, Lowe, L. Murphy, Crawford, Politic, Dodoo, D. Murphy.
Unused subs: Alexander, Emmanuel, Bunney, Delaney, Mellis, Hamilton.
Match Officials
Referee: Alan Young
Assistant Referees: Stephen Wade and Hristo Karaivanov
Fourth Official: Rebecca Welch