The big freeze is over, it's drizzling and we're on the train to that London. The match was in doubt yesterday but warmer temperatures means we have a match. After 3 cup matches and an abandoned league game we are back in league action. Our first fixture since new years day and don't forget we are on a run of 4 straight wins. With not playing in the league the table has changed. Bolton are now 4th and the top 6 is separated by 4 points. Bolton have 2 games in hand over 4 of them and 3 over Portsmouth. 3 games in a week before Blackpool away in the efl trophy so aiming for maximum points and top of the league next Saturday. Of course it doesn't always work like that. Today's opponents Leyton Orient are in form. Since Bolton beat them 3-2 the last Saturday before Christmas, orient have picked 10 points from 12 including beating Portsmouth 3-0 last Saturday. Team news. Out injured. Johnston, Nlundulu no dates set for their return yet, Forrester for a month, Mendes Gomes and Jones on international duty although Mendes Gomes should be back from afcon for the Carlisle game. Dempsey and Williams are fit. Bolton are down to the last 17 first teamers with Matheson brought into the first team squad from the b team to cover Jones absence makes it 18. Today's starting line up. 3 issues. Ashworth or Williams, Dempsey or Maghoma and Böðvarsson or Adeboyejo. Possible starting 11. Baxter. Toal Santos Iredale. Dacres-cogley Dempsey Sheehan Thomason Williams. Adeboyejo Charles. Kick off 3pm.
posted on 20/1/24
That's it no win and no points.
That's me done guys. Enjoy the rest of your weekend if you can..
posted on 20/1/24
Can't afford to dwell on it can we.
Get back to BL6 and prepare for Tues night.
Might be best to rest the players, have walking training while IE is out shopping.
posted on 20/1/24
Flat, no energy, players looked tired, devoid of any energy. Can blame dion for the miss but nothing when the subs were made Just hoofball and long hopeless shots. Best Morley nearly sent one over the stand. Need fresh legs and more depth in the squad plus the current players wake up and realise a lot of games to fit in before the end of April.
posted on 20/1/24
Highlights
https://rb.gy/dsvl7m
posted on 21/1/24
So we have issues; Evatt says that rotating the team is the way to get the best results this season, so why was Dempsey the only change?
If we accept that although we lost the game on Tuesday the players gave their all, Why not rotate the team to give fresher players time on the pitch? If things weren't working out we would have had good players on the bench.
Although Evatt has been playing down signing players in this transfer window until this week, It is obvious that we aren't strong enough to win this league without adding fresh blood to the team. In my opinion, Evatt needs to sign three players.
What are your views?
posted on 21/1/24
I'm in favour of best side in the league and rotate in the c ups. Evatt's subs were more reactionary yesterday than thought out. Would have left one of Adeboyejo or Charles on. Too long with Jerome on the pitch and had to go long. I think this side better when tries to play football no matter who we playing. Thinking back last season at Sheffield Wednesday. Got battered first 30 minutes then got the passing game moving and dominated from there. Just seemed to want to go long yesterday. Maybe the weather, conditions.
posted on 22/1/24
Quiet on the transfer front isn't it?
posted on 22/1/24
Evatt said that there are problems with signing loan players as the loaning clubs want a guarantee that their players get plenty of game time. He insists, quite rightly, that any player coming in, can't be guaranteed to play and must earn their place in the team.
posted on 22/1/24
Just to add to that, if we are going to sign players we would need to buy rather than loan. Is he ready to buy?
He seems resistant to commit to buying until he knows what division we will be in next season. Will it prove to be false economy?
posted on 22/1/24
Is IE waiting on bids before he makes any moves or are they done and dusted.
There's always the tales after the event.
After the window closes. We'll hear we had so and so lined up but had to switch due to injuries in other positions. Then there's the one that got away and one we couldn't get over the line.
We could do with a confidence boost.
A win tomorrow with two signings announced after the final whistle.