Wanderers intend to start as they mean to go on at the Reebok Stadium tonight.

They aim to build a formidable reputation to match the splendour of their magnificent new arena which hosts its first game with the visit of Everton this evening.

Colin Todd has called on his players to turn the £35 million Reebok into a fortress and he is determined not to let the occasion overshadow the priority of kicking off their Premiership programme with a win.

"We've got to make sure that no team coming here gets an easy ride," the Wanderers boss said.

"It's been unfortunate that the stadium wasn't quite ready for the start of the season but it's been worth the wait.

"I'll be delighted if we can match last season's record at Burnden Park and this is a chance for us to get off on the right foot."

Despite taking four points from their first three Premiership games, Todd is calling for more aggression from his side.

He said: "I want the opposition to know that we mean business."

Wanderers are likely to continue with Jimmy Phillips at right-back, and Peter Beardsley again preferred to John McGinlay.

10 YEARS AGO: August 31, 1992

BRUCE Rioch is relying on Mark Patterson's rate of recovery in time for tonight's Bank Holiday game against traditional rivals Blackpool.

The no-nonsense midfielder limped out of Saturday's 2-1 win win over Reading with what appeared to be a serious calf injury.

But Rioch is hoping that Patterson will be given the all-clear for the game at Burnden leaving him free to name an unchanged side for the fifth game in a row.

"If he's fit we'll go with the same again," said Rioch. "We want to continue the way we have started and build on what we've done so far."

The form book suggests it should be a breeze for high-flying Wanderers, as Billy Eyre's Blackpool have lost their three away games so far. In contrast Bolton have won each of their three home matches, against Huddersfield, Port Vale and Reading.

But Rioch was not expecting an easy ride: "What I will say is that I'm expecting it to be a tough test."

25 YEARS AGO: September 3, 1977

WANDERERS gave an impressive display but found goals hard to come in their 0-0 draw at Hull City.

Sam Allardyce and Neil Whatmore went near with good headers as the Wanderers dominated play in a rugged battle at Boothferry Park.

From early on Ian Greaves' team tried to press the game to Hull, a mistake by Sunley let Ray Train in but he was eventually pushed out wide by some good defending.

Then a superb Allardyce pass sent Morgan away down the left, a cross was whipped in for Gary Jones who came close.

Hull got back into the game a little with former Leeds United midfield star Billy Bremner getting stuck in just as he used to at Elland Road.

The Scot took a free kick and Roberts out-jumped the Bolton defence to head down. Wanderers 'keeper McDonagh went for the ball and collided with Hull's Hawley, who had to be carried off on a stretcher.

In the second half there were few chances but plenty of bruising challenges in what became a battle on the pitch.

Peter Reid tested goalkeeper Wealands with a long-range effort, and then had his name taken in the 54th minute for a foul on Galvin.

The last chance of the game fell to Allardyce as he volleyed just over from distance.