europia

Agree with that, difficult conditions for both players and officials, but all contributed to what was a really watchable game and a fair result.

If we gained promotion, which is by no means a certainty, the first season will be about survival on a sustainable budget. Beyond that further progress will probably require further inward investment, with a possible change of ownership at some point.

Aussie women, perhaps?

Yes, that's the second time in a matter of weeks Bolton have scored 5 goals in a match. We could do with a decent 3 or 4 nil win at some point, in case it came down to goal difference. Just don't see us a as a high scoring team at the moment. So yes, avoiding defeat tomorrow (and remaining games if possible) would make auto promotion more likely.

Portsmouth 2 - 1 Rams Mendez Laing

Rams 1 - 1 Blackpool Sibley

Yes, Ward has excellent delivery, possibly best in L1. Of course we then need someone to get on the end of the quality balls arriving in the box. Probably wasted on the likes of Waggy.....

With our current injury situation, it brings back thoughts of the season George Burley miraculously had us on the cusp of promotion. I think it was Rasiak and Idiakez who both got injured at that crucial time, and with that our chance of promotion was gone. I should say, there are no other similarities 😉 George had us playing some delightful football back then....

Sadly, not inconceivable....

Yep, Sibley needs to be in the mix when we are attacking in and around the oppositions area. If not, other than a set piece, not sure where the goals come from 🙁

Certainly not hard done by. Just a lame Derby County performance in a game of such importance. The next two games now looking very difficult, based on Saturdays showing.

1Wildsmith 5 35Nelson 5 5Bradley 4 6Cashin 5 2Wilson 6 32Adams 5 12Smith 4 4Hourihane 4 17Sibley 4 20Elder 6 23Ward 6 10Waghorn 4 16Thompson 5 27Blackett-Taylor 6 11Méndez-Laing 4 14Washington 4

Northampton 1-3 Rams frgs Mendez Laing

Totally agree with that. If Wildsmith doesn't want to be at DCFC then it's best for all that he leaves. He's a decent shot stopper but his game is far from flawless. Finding a replacement shouldn't be too difficult.

Yes, it really is a case of a game at a time. Plenty of twists and turns and it will probably go down to the last couple of games. With Gayle out, our strike force is significantly depleted again. So Warney's immediate challenge is to find a solution for that problem.

Looks like it might be a case of hoping Waggy can 'roll back the years' 🤞

In other words, no plan at all.

Rams 2 - 2 Bolton frgs Sibley

We are certainly going to need something effective that's within a tight budget, if we are in the ch'ship next season.

Agree with that. Have a feeling if either team does take all 3 points, it might just be a springboard to a good run in and automatic promotion. Fingers crossed....

I was thinking that Warney's interviews had become a bit 'David Brent' recently, so I tend to chuckle at them now. Anyhow, as things stand, none of that matters. Just have to hope he's got what it takes to get us promoted.

Also comes over as very grounded and intelligent in the interviews. It has to be said, shrewd bit of business signing DG.

Yes it's third tier football after all, so that's the level you get, not just in terms of players, but also officials. The important thing is the 3pts. It was a good night for Bolton as they clawed back on the goal difference. So for us, beating Reading, any which way, was crucial.

1Wildsmith 6 35Nelson 6.5 5Bradley 6.5 2Wilson 6.5 6Cashin 7.5 23Ward 7 27Blackett-Taylor 6 32Adams 8 4Hourihane 6.5 12Smith 6 17Sibley 7 7Barkhuizen 8 25Gayle 7.5 10Waghorn 6 11Méndez-Laing 6 3Forsyth 6

That would be based on an assumption that we would have a significant transfer kitty to recruit superior talent. Not sure that's going to be the situation, financially.