Bolton Wanderers fans column: Wrexham and penalty shoot-outs

Looking at last weekend’s League One opener against Leyton Orient saw some of the Bolton Wanderers from last season, with a few additional tweaks that ensure we will also witness a new dynamic moving forward. 

The good? Well, Ian Evatt is lucky enough to have a laughable amount of riches on the bench to change a game if needed. The likes of Victor Adeboyejo, Klaidi Lolos, John McAtee and Jay Matete to name a few all came on and made a notable impact in terms of turning the game on its head. 

Adeboyejo scored with his first touch, and I feel confident with my prediction that the Nigerian will have a big year with the service he will receive from those around him. McAtee immediately stamped his mark on the game also, delivering a cross that Dion Charles should have connected with after some great pressing to win the ball in a dangerous area.

Charles and Aaron Collins seems to be the number one duo to start up front, with both linking up well for Bolton’s opener. However, with Evatt’s comments about everyone getting game time in order to satisfy a large squad and avoiding burnout, it may not necessarily be a case of always going with those two in certain games.

Aaron Collins, pictured, and Dion Charles appear to be top of the list up front, says Liam Hatton (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd)

That is the benefit of having options, and hopefully it will not get to the point like last year, where Charles missed an extended period of time and Wanderers struggled to replace his production. The depth this year will help Evatt to rotate and manage his squad depending on certain circumstances in game. 

The bad? Orient did have spells in the game and if not for Nathan Baxter in goal, it could have been a different result. The last save in particular in which he tipped a powerful effort from Charlie Kelman around the post was a wonderful piece of goalkeeping, something that I have watched time and time again. Those saves are just as good as goals for me, because the importance is as such that it preserved Wanderers’ lead.

When I mentioned the depth before and how much better the team looks overall this year, that extends to the goalkeeper position. On Tuesday against Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup, Bolton edged through on penalties thanks to Luke Southwood, who looked assured throughout in his first competitive game since a broken fibula at the end of last season. 

It also allowed chances for other new signings to start - Jordi Osei-Tutu looks quick when bursting forward and that is very promising, whilst also making some impressive stops at the other end of the pitch. 

All cup competitions are obviously not as important as the league and the team selection will indicate that, but that is two wins to kick off the season and ahead of a huge game against Wrexham on Sunday, momentum is key. 

It is early days and there are a lot of things to tidy up, but it is important to remember that this is a squad with a lot of new faces. Once given time to gel, there is the potential for this team to really do something special.

But for now we move on to Sunday, and what are the odds that someone will rock up in a Deadpool mask?

Bolton Wanderers' Nathan Baxter (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker)

A Game of Goalies

by Becca Ashworth

As any goalie will tell you, it’s a conflicting role.

During my time in goal, I spent my time split in half between wanting my team to succeed and willing them to falter so that I could my own chance at heroism (or at least a little time on the ball). Well, if Baxter and Southwood are anything like me, they might have been willing a little too close to the sun, because our opening league and cup games turned out to be two matches made between the sticks.

Unlike Icarus, however, both Baxter and Southwood put their burning wings to good use, blazing through some incredible saves. I, for one, keep watching Baxter’s incredible save against … on loop. Southwood’s final penalty save too was a beauty. Both were ultimately match-winning saves from two goalkeepers that are invaluable to our team.

I cannot stress this enough: we may well have two incredible keepers, but we cannot sell Baxter. Linked recently with Plymouth (alongside Adeboyejo, who we also must keep at all costs), Baxter was a saving grace to the open-goal left by Trafford’s departure. Trafford’s impact was undeniable, but Baxter slipped quietly in to mark his territory as one of Bolton’s most impactful goalkeepers since Jääskeläinen.

Many have not minced their words: Baxter’s injury last season cost us promotion. I don’t disagree, but I do want to emphasise that Coleman did step up when needed. He lacked Baxter’s consistency, but he did have some excellent saves when called upon, as well as the mistakes everyone remembers. He is a second goalie, and any second goalie is going to struggle if called upon for a large part of the season.

Southwood’s signing was, dare I say, our biggest statement of the window. I get it: McAtee’s signing had the glory of beating off Wrexham for a top player, Arfield was playing in Europe only a few seasons ago, we beat off Championship competition for Forino... Southwood was just a keeper from Cheltenham with a broken leg.

That was the hidden beauty of the move. Southwood had incredible success in his time at Cheltenham, proving himself to be a strong League One keeper, with multiple clean sheets under his belt. His injury was no doubt a factor in his decision to move to a club with an established number one on his way to full recovery.

As he showed the other day, at most League One clubs, Southwood could be number one –– but he isn’t at Bolton to be second choice either. With Baxter as one of the strongest keepers in the league, however, the question isn’t “how will Southwood fit in?” but “how can Baxter and Southwood fit together?”

Baxter is already one of the best, but Southwood could make him even better: him and Baxter will continually challenge each other towards their best. Ultimately, Southwood threatens to be our smartest piece of business this summer, but only if we keep a hold of Baxter too.

(Image: Harry McGuire)

Believe in the cup

By Lee Sidebotham

It’s not over until the last kick of the game.

A lacklustre encounter that suddenly turned into a thriller of a penalty shoot-out. All those who left as soon as Randell missed his penalty deserved what happened next. Sure, I thought we were out too. But you stay until the end and support your team.

We move onto the next round against Shrewsbury Town. Not the most inspiring draw in the world I’ll be the first to admit. But I can’t help but get frustrated when I hear fellow fans say: "Play the Under-18s” or “we need to get out of this Mickey Mouse cup.”

I think those are quick to forget April 2, 2023. What a day that was. The last ever ‘Pizza Trophy champions’ which no one can take away from us.

In all seriousness, we can get to where we want to be this year in the league while still having a good run in the cup competition.

Not only does it provide opportunity for us to gain or extend some form, it also gives us the chance to rotate the squad and get some minutes into those who need it. Players such as Lolos have been described as “long-term projects” for the years ahead by Evatt. It is thanks to the cups that he and others will be given the opportunity to improve their game.

It also allows us to manage fatigue and injury for the main first team. Players like Morley and Forrester won’t start every game this year, but rather be called upon when needed. It is a long season ahead, and cup games will allow them to get their match fitness and minutes up.

I think a lot of people are forgetting about the financial aspect of the cup competitions too. A few games in the FA and Carabao cups, as well as an EFL Trophy Final, then we’re close to half a million pounds up. We have just signed one of the best strikers in the league in McAtee and where do you think part of that money comes from?

It’s not just the money we receive from the competitions, but also from ticket sales. I’m sure no one will be complaining if we get Manchester City or Liverpool at home in the next round, or an away day down south to Spurs or Chelsea.

There has been talk about a points system being proposed by the Supporters Trust. I say those who attended Mansfield Tuesday, and the next round deserve some bonus points. Because cup competitions are not only at the heart of football in general, but they are also playing a big part in what we are trying to achieve as a club.

Resurgent - Victor Adeboyejo (Image: Harry McGuire)

You have to admit, it's getting better,
by James Scott

After the opening two competitive games of the season, Bolton have their goalkeepers to thank for rescuing victories for the club. 

A string of important Nathan Baxter saves highlighted by a stunning injury time leap was followed up by two penalty saves from an impressive Luke Southwood to keep Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.

Whilst this may be seen as a lucky escape the fact that Bolton have won both games despite lacking cohesion in both attack and defence bodes well for the future.

An influx of high quality signings and a tweak of the formation mean that the players are still getting used to their surroundings. Wanderers were, at times, far too rigid last season, with the failures of this being exposed in the worst possible time. They were simply outthought in the playoff final.

The new system allows for more fluidity in attack – rather than a tight front two leading the line, Wanderers have sacrificed a place in central midfield to allow players such as Aaron Collins and John McAtee to roam free, supporting a lone number nine.

The new emphasis on attacking wingbacks adds another offensive dimension as Szabolcs Schön surged down the left on numerous occasions on Saturday, and Jordi Osei-Tutu fired crosses into dangerous areas on Tuesday night.

However, all this attacking flair comes at a cost – the protection offered to the back three has been reduced as was seen on Saturday. Jack Iredale was reliable in the back three last season, linking up nicely with those ahead of him and even scoring a couple of goals during the season. On Saturday, he was left one on one and lost his footing, causing Charlie Kelman to sneak in and score an equaliser for Leyton Orient.

There were glimpses of coherent play against both Leyton Orient and Mansfield, as a resurgent Victor Adeboyejo linked up nicely with Williams and McAtee, and Dion Charles and Aaron Collins pulled off an impressive sequence of one-touch passes reminiscent of the Adeboyejo-Charles combination away at Cheltenham twelve months ago.

The key for Wanderers is to pick up results whilst learning the new system – it took until the end of October for Derby County to find their style of play and form last season, whilst Wanderers’ fast start against Lincoln and Cheltenham in August 2023 perhaps lulled them into naivety which was quickly quelled in a thumping loss against Wigan.

With League One’s best goalkeeper between the sticks and quality oozing throughout the squad, Bolton must back themselves to beat anyone when the system clicks into place.

Until that point, however, grinding out results is the priority. Wrexham will be a tough test on Sunday, as nemesis James McClean makes his return to the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Wanderers have the ability, now they must show they have the heart.

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Renyolds (Image: PA)

Hollywood and hotdogs,
by Chris McKeown

I think we can all agree, we needed that win on Saturday, it did feel like it was a game that we had to take all the points from to take the first step into making a new identity with familiar faces, aided by some seemingly excellent late summer recruitment.

The late transfer news of three signings just before the curtain raiser at Leyton Orient was just the tonic the fans needed, and raised already optimistic spirts from those who frequent the terraces, even more!

The game was a hard-fought one, which was to be expected and despite a positive start from the Whites, we went into half time level and perhaps the opposition feeling they had got the upper hand.

The second half didn’t really start the way we wanted, but, unlike the back end of last season, we had back up. The cavalry appeared on the horizon, or in this case, the touchline, and what a introduction it was, Tutu, Matete and McAtee, the three musketeers, Swashbuckling through the lines!

We certainly showed the strength of the squad and it paved the way for a wonderful win to start the campaign with special mentions for the ever improving Adeboyejo and of course Baxter, who’s last-minute save, was simply a game-winner.

On to the cup against Mansfield, and with a chance for returning injured players and new signings, it was a disjointed performance at times but absolutely vital to get those lads minutes and when it clicked on occasion, we looked very threatening.

A penalty shoot-out was a fantastic way to win a cup match and showed great bottle and team spirit to win the tie.

Forino looked confident and quite imposing defensively, and potentially a threat at set pieces - something we need more of from the centre backs,
A contribution in the mould of Wheater and Beavers would certainly take some pressure off the front line!

It was also great to see Johnston and Williams back on the pitch, both putting in solid displays.However, Matete and Southwood definitely stood out on the night for me.

So, three points and a place in the next round of the cup is the start we hoped for. Lots of positives to take and sets us up for what is undoubtedly a big first league home match of the season against Wrexham.

With more than 24,000 tickets already sold to fans ready to ‘Marvel’ at the prospect of the Tinseltown Express arriving at Horwich the cameras will no doubt be looking out for Ryan Reynolds and co, should they attend- it’s got glitz and glamour all over it!

So it’s Hollywood & Hotdogs at the Toughsheet on Sunday, that’s fantastic, but, hey, call me old fashioned - last Tuesday nights Pasties and Penalties in the pouring rain - is fine by me!