Bolton Wanderers fan column - Promotion race FA Cup replays

This time last week Bolton Wanderers were in pole position for the automatic promotion slots, a Derby draw at Wycombe meant that Bolton were up, if they won their remaining four games.

What a time that was, all of seven days ago. The hope, the optimism, the feeling that perhaps this thing could go our way after all the twists and turns.

But it would not be Bolton if we did not do it the hard way, would it? An encouraging performance at now league winners Portsmouth still only resulted in a point, which put the ball back in Derby’s court.

Okay, that is not insurmountable.. maybe Derby could drop points again if Bolton won their last three games. It was a possibility, right?

Well, then along came Shrewsbury Town. It would not be Bolton if they did not dominate early proceedings before going behind. Not only that, but it would not be Bolton if they did not level things up before conceding a poor goal from a set piece just moments later.

The game finished 2-2 thanks to a strike from Paris Maghoma, the only individual who seemed up for the fight on Tuesday, but now the chance of automatics has gone from the likelihood of being £50 up on a scratch card, to winning the Euro Millions lottery.

It is disappointing because at numerous points throughout the season it has been in Bolton’s hands. Since the turn of 2024, Wanderers have won nine games, lost four and drawn eight times. If you take into account that Portsmouth have lost as many games all season as Bolton have this calendar year, that sums it up.

There are numerous reasons why this team are in third position and not higher, but a lot of it comes down to the run of form, especially from February to March. At one point they went six away games without a win, with losses against Derby and Wigan that should have, at the very least, resulted in draws.

This may sound like a grim post-mortem when it is technically still possible to finish second, and even not then the playoffs are guaranteed. Who knows, Derby could lose 2-0 on Saturday and Bolton put five past Port Vale?

But I know better than that, and so do you. If you look back at what has cost Bolton so many points this year, then you can look at individual and collective errors. Like against Shrewsbury when Jordan Shipley was left alone on the edge of the box from a corner, even though he did the same thing a few weeks ago.

Evatt spoke about counteracting those set plays, but both scoring and defending set pieces has proven to be an issue this season. The energy and drive against Portsmouth was quite simply missing on Tuesday.

Is it complacency or did the team changes alter too much? Either way, that starting line-up should still be beating Shrewsbury at home if you are dead serious about promotion.

I could be sat here a week from now after the Peterborough game with egg on my face. Nothing would make me happier, but if the likelihood of playoffs rears its head, you just hope that Bolton can stay consistent for a three-game season.

Replay decision is a disgrace

by Tony Thompson

David Lee in action for Wanderers in an FA Cup replay against Arsenal in 1994 (Image: Newsquest)

Tell me why FA Cup replays have been scrapped again? Premier League clubs wants to play more games in Europe, you say? So, how is that our problem, exactly?

It sickens me to think that some of the best midweek games that come to mind as a Bolton Wanderers supporter wouldn’t have taken place if the cash-motivated, self-serving numpties had been given their way sooner.

Back when Bruce Rioch’s team was beating Liverpool, Everton or Arsenal at the second time of asking, you felt that the opposition were at least playing the same sport. Now, they might as well all sod off and play Real Madrid seven times a year in whatever country they like, leave the cup competitions, winter football and Saturday 3pm kick-offs to the people who seem to care about the game and its traditions.

For the FA and Premier League to decide this without even consulting clubs further down the pyramid is despicable, a disgrace, and I hope that the first act of this incoming football regulator is to tell them to go and jump in the sea.

And before you accuse me of being an old fuddy-duddy who wants everything to stay the same, you’re right. I DO want some things to stay the same. I DO want a club in the non-league to dream of drawing Manchester United at home and then earning a replay at Old Trafford.

Isn’t that what English football is all about, the passion, the romance? Not anymore. It is about the hard cash, and more importantly, the hard cash that goes into the bank accounts of people who already have tonnes of the stuff, the rest can go to hell.

“Replays are trash – nobody cares,” I saw one kid post on Twitter/X on Thursday evening, probably wearing a half-and-half Arsenal and Bayern Munich scarf at the time. And that is the sad thing. The FA Cup has gradually been devalued to the point that anyone born this side of the Reebok being built probably doesn’t get how magical the competition can be, or what it can mean financially to a smaller club to play two games against one of the elite.

Top clubs are hoarding the best young players, can sign dozens of others, sign themselves up for vastly inflated European competitions but then moan that they might have to play Stevenage twice, instead of once with extra time and penalties in January. I can only assume then that by eliminating replays, England will continue to dominate Europe in the future just like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool… Oh, wait.

I hope my club makes a stand. We have won the FA Cup four times, and it would not bother me for one moment if they refused to play in next year’s competition.