Last game of the regular season and dreaming for a moment can Bolton get promoted today? The maths behind it. A Bolton win and a Carlisle win at derby both Bolton and Derby will finish on level points and it will go down to goal difference and Bolton will have to overcome a 4 goal swing. Totally unlikely a 3-0 for Carlisle Bolton have to win 1-0, 2-0 and 2-0 etc. Extremely unlikely. Derby win or draw then it's just a dead rubber. Peterborough can finish 3rd but only if they win by 4 goals but as both sides are guaranteed home legs 2nd in the play offs there is no real advantage finishing 3rd. Can Bolton take inspiration from 1988 when Bolton won promotion on the last day of the season? A Robbie Savage goal and an unlikely result from the other game between Scunthorpe and Torquay did the trick. Team news. The injury list is clearing up. Only Mendes Gomes and Böðvarsson now out injured. Again Johnston won't be risked this season and Adeboyejo will be held back for the play offs. Santos and Ogbeta are fit after missing the port vale game. Likely starting 11. Baxter. Jones Santos Toal. Dacres-cogley Maghoma Sheehan Thomason Ogbeta. Charles Collins. Kick off is 12.30. Let's dare to dream.
posted on 29/4/24
We have it all to now, two games to get to Wembley, will we do it? With the way we have finished the season I can't say that we will.
I had to smile when I read what Evatt said, "We have drawn too many games".That my friends; needn't have been mentioned, it was blindingly obvious.
So now instead of being in a confidend mood, I see it as a lottery, and I don't take any solace in getting the draw after being 3-2 downbecause a draw was not good enough, despite the fact that derby won their game. The fact is we are just not good enough.
That doesn't mean that we won't get promoted. However, I'm not a betting man but if I was, I wouldn't be putting any money on us winning the play-offs, in fact, I'm not sure we will beat Barnsley over two legs.
I just wishh it was all over and the club can make important decissions that will be needed to be taken regardless of what fate holds for us.
posted on 29/4/24
We'll be right. Will beat Barnsley over 2 legs and we're going to wembley. Already got digs booked.
posted on 29/4/24
To give you a clue where I stand.
I've not ordered any jet fuel. I don't expect to order any until next season.
posted on 29/4/24
comment by Bennythedip - Living The Dream (U9359)
posted 4 hours, 31 minutes ago
We'll be right. Will beat Barnsley over 2 legs and we're going to wembley. Already got digs booked.
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Yes, my friend Martin and his wife have booked their hotel, albeit it's on one of those deals that allows you to canel it without any penalties. I sincerly hope that you and Martin don't need to cancel your accommodation.
If we get to Wembley we have a 50-50 chance of getting promotion. What we will need is another performance like the Pappa John's trophey final.
posted on 29/4/24
I think the first leg ends in a draw and we complete the job in the second.
I would normally jump at the chance of going to Wembley again but if it came down to it I don't think I really want to.
posted on 30/4/24
comment by The Ghost of Gerald Cid (U6427)
posted 14 hours, 39 minutes ago
I think the first leg ends in a draw and we complete the job in the second.
I would normally jump at the chance of going to Wembley again but if it came down to it I don't think I really want to.
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That sort of points to you not being confident that we will make it over the line?
That mirrors my thoughts, but as always when I am in realistic mode, not negative mode, I will be hoping against hope that we can get the job done.
It's what happens after, if we don't make it that will tell us where the club is going. Will Evatt go, or will the club invest in better players and stick with him?
Evatt had been saying even before new players were signed in January, after the injuries piled up, that he had the players that could do the job. I think the truth is, he had to build confidence in a depleted squad, but did he truly believe what he was saying?
From what other top teams in the division did early in the transfer window, it has become obvious that we missed several players who could have made a difference.
That throws a question on his judgement. I and others on this forum thought that we should have entered into the market right at the beginning and that would have meant having a shopping list at the ready weeks if not months before the window opened.
We were still in a very good position at that stage of the season and our results could have been so different.
Your thoughts please.
posted on 30/4/24
There's not much of a buzz about the place.
Everybody must be holding back, waiting to see if we make it to the final.
If we do go to Londinium, we'll no doubt be quiet and reserved until we get back home.
posted on 30/4/24
comment by SUPERWHITEINEXILE (U2020)
posted 11 hours, 7 minutes ago
comment by The Ghost of Gerald Cid (U6427)
posted 14 hours, 39 minutes ago
I think the first leg ends in a draw and we complete the job in the second.
I would normally jump at the chance of going to Wembley again but if it came down to it I don't think I really want to.
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That sort of points to you not being confident that we will make it over the line?
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It's more the entire day I had last time I was there, (the cup final), The game was magnificent. Getting there, the organisation of getting a drink, and getting home was probably the worst I've ever done.
If I do it then it's probably on my own terms.
posted on 1/5/24
This is boring. After the game on Friday, we'll only be halfway to knowing if we are going to London or not.
I think I'd rather be doing my summer shopping list and taking the rubbish to the tip.
You just know at some point IE will be moaning, he's not had much time for his shopping before pre-season starts won't he.
posted on 2/5/24
Are we there yet?