On a belated summer’s afternoon, we headed for the Toughsheet to face the Rams from Derby. 

The Doombar deliberations started with this week’s off-field events, Chairman Sharon Brittan’s statement about personal abusive behaviour and the end of this summer’s transfer window. 

Everybody was in agreement with the statement and let’s hope this nips the vile behaviour in the bud and we can move on together. Although there were no last day incoming deals, we have done a fair amount of business in the transfer window, with arguably the extension of Dion Charles’s contract the most significant. Only time will tell.

Derby always bring good support, with over 3,000 fans making it, despite the rail strikes. So, a great atmosphere was in place from the start. It was a welcome surprise when captain Rico was named in the team, after his injury at Burton. 

The Wanderers were up for this match from the start and dominated for the first 20 minutes, with no goals to show for it. Derby gradually got back in the game. 

The matched changed with three bold, seeming correct refereeing decisions: a penalty for either team and the sending off of Derby’s goalkeeper for an instinctive handball outside the area. 
Dion Charles put the penalty away and Josh Dacres-Cogley cross ended up in the net. They all count as they say, as we ground out a result against determined opposition.

In fairness to Derby, they never gave up, despite being down to 10 men and losing defender Jake Rooney to a serious, mysterious injury, which resulted in his being carried off to a good sporting ovation from both sets of fans. 

The fans were in good form throughout the match, backing Bolton from the start and the East stand corner, even doing their own version of the ‘Bouncy, Bouncy’.

A valuable win against potential promotion rivals, helped to continue our good start. 13 points from six games is a decent return. Ian Evatt is still trying to blend in his new signings and it will take time before we see the best of them. 

Patience will be a virtue as our team develops. We will have our share of disappointments and setbacks this season but I firmly believe that we shall overcome one day and that day might very well be this season. 

Let’s keep together and enjoy the rollercoaster ride, without the objectionable personal abuse.