Football Season Guide

Bolton Wanderers

In


Nathan Baxter (Goalkeeper, Chelsea); Joel Coleman (Goalkeeper, Ipswich Town); Josh Dacres-Cogley (Defender, Tranmere Rovers); Will Forrester (Defender, Port Vale); Zac Ashworth (Defender, West Bromwich Albion, Season-long loan); Carlos Mendes Gomes (Midfielder, Luton Town); Dan N'Lundulu (Attacker, Southampton)

Out


James Trafford (k) (Goalkeeper, Manchester City, Season-long loan); Joel Dixon (Goalkeeper, Hartlepool United); Adam Senior (Defender, FC Halifax Town); Conor Bradley (r) (Defender, Liverpool, Season-long loan); Luke Mbete (sp) (Defender, Manchester City, Loan); Kieran Lee (sp) (Midfielder, released); Lloyd Isgrove (Midfielder, released); MJ Williams (sp) (Midfielder, Milton Keynes); Elias Kachunga (sp) (Attacker, released); Shola Shoretire (sp) (Attacker, Manchester United, Loan)

There is a real sense of opportunity at the University of Bolton Stadium ahead of the new season. They fell just short last time out, succumbing to a strong Barnsley side in a two-legged play-off semi-final. They did however thrash promoted Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Trophy at Wembley to illustrate just how competitive they were. League One has lost a couple of giants in Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday whilst two of the three sides relegated from the Championship are in a mess. The Trotters will be eyeing up the top two promotions spots and they have momentum with manager Ian Evatt ready to begin his third year in the job. He has lost two key loanees in goalkeeper James Trafford and right wing-back Conor Bradley, both of whom were outstanding last season. Nathan Baxter has real pedigree after joining on a permanent deal from Chelsea and looks like a decent replacement. Josh Dacres-Cogley was superb for Tranmere Rovers in the first half of last season but his form rather tailed off after Christmas and has a point to prove. Further additions are expected before the transfer window closes at the end of August and they will only enhance a squad with real depth, especially in the middle of the park. Aaron Morley, Josh Sheehan and, Kyle Dempsey are one of the most creative and dynamic trio in the division. Dion Charles will again spearhead the attack. He has been a key man in the past two seasons and his goals will make the difference between automatic promotion and another play-off finish. Bolton Wanderers are now arguably the second biggest club in League One and the pressure will be on Evatt to take them back to the Championship.

Target


Automatic promotion. All the ingredients are there for the Trotters to be successful and make the leap back into the second tier this season.