Opening day Blues or all White on the night? Ipswich (A) Saturday 30th July. 3pm KO

[Mar]

Feeling confident for tomorrow. Not sure why, its not like we've massively progressed over summer. Hopefully it's a result of us keeping the status quo that served us so well at the end of last season.

Gonna say a 2-1 win in a very close game.

[GhostoftheBok]

Feeling confident for tomorrow. Not sure why, its not like we've massively progressed over summer. Hopefully it's a result of us keeping the status quo that served us so well at the end of last season.

Gonna say a 2-1 win in a very close game.

A lot of the I see online who are most pessimistic are the same ones who said that we just had to keep Dapo and Santos and anything else was a bonus. Having not signed a star player, they're now doom and gloom.

I'm glad some people are genuinely feeling confident and optimistic, even if they can't place why.

Footy should be fun.

[Harry Genshaw]

I was saying to BP earlier that I'd be chuffed if we get to half time without conceding.

I'm convinced we'll score 1. Since I've no idea about their firepower, it'll either be a backs to the wall win, a creditable draw or scant consolation in a 1-3 loss.

Bets well and truly hedged

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... -headache/

”We have had to look at possibly the first four or five fixtures and try to plan teams accordingly in perfect scenarios.

“Obviously, things change really quickly in football and can overnight, so we have to be flexible and make sure we are ready to change and be adaptable.

“But we have tried to look at the opposition of the first four or five games - what to expect, what kind of game we think it is going to be – and try to manage and pick teams accordingly.

“There are going to be changes, there has to be. You don’t win divisions or win promotions with the same 11 players week in, week out. It just doesn’t happen.

“We are really fortunate now to have a strong group of players that we think are capable of good things. But it is only on paper. They have to go out there and earn the right to be at this football and be amongst the promotion candidates.”

So aye, Johnston and Dapo/Dion this week, Iredale and Bod (maybe even Baka) next week v Wycombe…

[GhostoftheBok]

"No first 11, just options"....very much the modern mantra.

Usually there's more than a hint of bovine excrement about it, as some players are just better regardless of opposition; but in our squad there's more of a consistent level than in some others.

Of all the first team outfielders we have I'd only see Thomason as definitely representing a drop in level and I even like him. There are some who are just clearly better (Dapo, Santos, etc) and would start any cup final regardless of opposition, but there's enough depth to make it a real fight for places in some areas.

In all honesty I'd like a couple more of those "just obviously better" players in the squad, but hopefully we're a bit more proof against injury than last term. The addition of Toal and Iredale, with the latter's ability to play all over the shop, are important.

As Insane has consistently said, wing back specialists are at a premium; but then they often at any level. I would be concerned if John or Bradley got a long term injury, with probably only Trafford (and maybe Santos) being higher up on the "oh shit!" index in terms of available cover.

All in all, though, it looks like a squad built by folk who understand how to build a squad.

[Prufrock]

I think we've got enough higher up that we'd go to a 4 at the back if needed. Iredale and Jones at FB is pretty handy.

Like, one is out for a game here and there, Sadlier. But it's still an option.

[OrtonCakeBingoBongo]

Season starting in July, there's something wrong there, just goes against all tradition. So what if people want football back soon as they can, new season should be August : or nothing.

I'll be quick, I haven't taken much notice of what Bolton have been up to in the summer, you know, In's and Out's, player transfers and all that. Just focused on our own business and even then it's not really saying much.

We brought in a number of new kids and loaned out / sold on some of the dead-wood players that were surplus but looking at our new squad as whole or at least what we're going with next season it doesn't really hold that much excitement.

Mckenna is a good young manager but his time is yet to come. We don't have enough goal power in the forward line although possess midfielders who can or will contribute moving up field. In Walton we have a good goalkeeper but to replicate his fine standards from before seems to be asking too much. Said on our forums I don't expect to be promoted, probably between 5th and 10th if truthful, which is a shame but some things can't be done.

Can't make the game tomorrow but will follow on Radio Suffolk while underway. Hope to beat you obviously, this league's bloody depressing isn't it, the thought of another nine months - at least - in the Third Division. You probably feel the same, teams like us don't belong this far down the leagues, as least that's how I see it.

Hope for a good game tomorrow, OK ? Good night

[Worthy4England]

Funny owd game, Orton. The prevailing view from our side seems to be you've made decent signings and will be a tough game. Guess we'll know more at 5 pm.

[TANGODANCER]

Greetings Orton Cake, nice to see you're still around. Everything is the great unknown with us (with us all really) with more moves than a chess tournament . Best of luck to you (after today of course).

[officer_dibble]

At a looseish end today…might try and tune in…presumably it’s the usual 3pm bar on iFollow in the Uk?

[Bruce Rioja]

46 games to go, 138 points available, I don't see a problem.

Wigan won it last year with a mere 66.7% of the available points. As such, nor do I

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

At a looseish end today…might try and tune in…presumably it’s the usual 3pm bar on iFollow in the Uk?

Yes, the 3pm broadcast ban remains in place for those whose computers are in, or appear to be in, the UK.

I’m in a traffic jam on the M25. Flanners is driving, or at least sitting there waiting to.

[Worthy4England]

At a looseish end today…might try and tune in…presumably it’s the usual 3pm bar on iFollow in the Uk?

Yes, the 3pm broadcast ban remains in place for those whose computers are in, or appear to be in, the UK.

I’m in a traffic jam on the M25. Flanners is driving, or at least sitting there waiting to.

Might want to check iFollow more than 3 minutes to KO...mine seems to be demanding a password reset n shit...

[Bruce Rioja]

At a looseish end today…might try and tune in…presumably it’s the usual 3pm bar on iFollow in the Uk?

Yes, the 3pm broadcast ban remains in place for those whose computers are in, or appear to be in, the UK.

I’m in a traffic jam on the M25. Flanners is driving, or at least sitting there waiting to.

There is a pub close to mine, which shall remain nameless in which the match is being shown live. I'm headed there shortly. Hope the traffic eases.

[officer_dibble]

At a looseish end today…might try and tune in…presumably it’s the usual 3pm bar on iFollow in the Uk?

Yes, the 3pm broadcast ban remains in place for those whose computers are in, or appear to be in, the UK.

I’m in a traffic jam on the M25. Flanners is driving, or at least sitting there waiting to.

Might want to check iFollow more than 3 minutes to KO...mine seems to be demanding a password reset n shit...

Good tip, fck knows what that’s all about.

[officer_dibble]

3-5-2
Johnston over Iredale
Bradley RWB
Keiron Lee
Dapo and Charles up top.
Dempsey has a knock - hmmmmmm
Oh, no keeper on the bench

[Worthy4England]

Demps seems to pick up niggly knocks quite a lot.

[officer_dibble]

Especially when he goes out on the beers after a game near his hometown!

[officer_dibble]

Keep it tight and there is some firepower to come on - 5 subs as well. Sads, Baka, JDB and Kachunga

[GhostoftheBok]

Going into the new season opener away to a promotion rival with Thomason in the 18 may show that the long term recovery of Sheehan and injury issues of Demps and Lee are where we should have concerns.

All in all, a strong 11 to start the season and a good bench. We can bring in a lot of attacking options and plenty of running.