The international break is over and players are returning to the club from all over the world to prepare for the last 7 games. First up it's 7th v 3rd in probably the game of the day on good Friday. Bolton are locked in a 4 way battle for that 2nd spot with derby, Peterborough and Barnsley. Derby with the points on the board are favourites for 2nd but with a game in hand Bolton really need to win every game and hope derby slip up again to gain that 2nd spot. Stevenage look to be one of 5 teams competing for that 6th spot and a shot at the play offs. Team news. What we know from Evatt's press conference. Baxter and Charles are out of the Stevenage game and no comeback dates set. Mendes Gomes out until 2025, Adeboyejo should be 2 weeks away as he was given 4/6 weeks after getting injured at Exeter ,Taylor is expected to return to training this weekend, Johnston and Nlundulu are doing well recovering from their long term injuries but being held back until next season. Finally an update on Ramsay who rejoins the squad. Waiting on the return of Toal, Sheehan, Ashworth and Jones from international duty. Issues Jones or iredale, Ogbeta or Williams and Dempsey or Maghoma. Likely starting 11. Coleman. Jones Santos Toal. Dacres-cogley Maghoma Sheehan Thomason Ogbeta. Böðvarsson Collins. Bolton hope for a 3rd good Friday win on the trot with wins over Doncaster and Exeter the last 2 years. Kick off is 3pm on good Friday.
posted on 30/3/24
If you thought yesterday was bad.
The Ben are struggling to find something to say about it.
posted on 30/3/24
I'm happy I was in the Lake District walking in the rain with my family. I'm sure it must have been better than the game.
It isn't over yet but if we can't find some form on Monday, it soon will be. I was disappointed with the result but not surprised. We have been stuttering for some time now and I'm questioning whether we will go up this season.
We don't do well against the top teams and I can't say I'm enthusiastic for the remainder of the season. If we don't go up, Evatt can target the blame on injuries, however, the real problem is that we don't have a strong enough squad and Evatt and the recruitment team have to take it on the chin.
Also, tactics and motivating the squad are part of the problem. Evatt said that the team looked frightened, it's his job to instil confidence in them or give them a roasting at halftime. Perhaps he is too soft with them when things aren't going well. Fergusson never had a problem demanding more commitment when he was manager of United and they didn't do too badly.
It's all down to the last six games now and what happens if we don't manage to get up? Evatt will be in his fourth season in Division One. The question is, Is it one season too many?
posted on 30/3/24
Been stuttering since the Luton game. Also seen the league table at end of January. 2nd and 3 points and 3 games in hand on Portsmouth so have blown it. The injuries are partly to blame but some of the away performances have been very poor. The recruitment in January was poor as well. Too late plus Taylor and Ramsay barely played. Collins has had one good game against Oxford, looks another who doesn't fit into our system. Ogbeta probably the best and needed with Williams constantly getting injured.
posted on 30/3/24
Can't be blaming injures can we.
The squad isn't up to stepping up to the first team, when we do have injuries.
Who carries the can for that?
posted on 31/3/24
You can hear a pin drop around BL6.
It's hard to imagine we have a match tomorrow.
Is the interest in the Wanderers slowing down? Is everybody resigned to the Whites having blown it. There's not many takers betting on us doing it the easy way.
posted on 31/3/24
comment by Bennythedip - Living The Dream (U9359)
posted 19 hours, 43 minutes ago
Been stuttering since the Luton game. Also seen the league table at end of January. 2nd and 3 points and 3 games in hand on Portsmouth so have blown it. The injuries are partly to blame but some of the away performances have been very poor. The recruitment in January was poor as well. Too late plus Taylor and Ramsay barely played. Collins has had one good game against Oxford, looks another who doesn't fit into our system. Ogbeta probably the best and needed with Williams constantly getting injured.
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If you remember, Evatt kept saying that he was happy with what he had and didn't want to sign any players until the injuries started piling up, only then did he have a change of heart.
Can you imagine the consequences if the injuries had started after the transfer window had closed? I'm not sure if it had been a message from the top to hang fire with transfers until we knew what division we would be in next season, but whatever it was it was very short-sighted, especially as the other top teams were all investing in new players.
That leads to another point, did we miss signing better players because we held back until well into the window?
posted on 31/3/24
By the way, I won't be online again on Monday as it's my granddaughter's birthday party It starts at three pm.
Another birthday party today for my second eldest grandson's 15th, birthday party.
posted on 31/3/24
I swear SWIE knows something and is keeping from the rest of us.
Since he's missing, I'll not get my hopes up. It'll be another one of those boring games again won't it.
posted on 1/4/24
What's all this keep the faith in the Ben?
I went to church yesterday, it being Ester Sunday for UK folk. It was a foreign church, I'm not sure if they accepted prayers for the Wanderers.
posted on 1/4/24
Pasty, you should know by now that I would like to be around at match time, however, family must always come first. It's my bedrock.