Welcome to Bolton. Wrexham (h), 18/08, 3pm

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

We've got strong options in several positions now.

At 9.... Evatt said he picked Dion over Vic at Orient because he expected Dion to be able to get in behind better than Vic. I think these two will be swapping and changing as long as they're both fit and firing. No idea which one Ian thinks will prosper better against Wrexham, but the other lad will get half an hour. (Evatt says Dan, McAtee and Collins can also play 9, but I think he's dissembling slightly and it's between DC & VA.)

At 10... McAtee will have a point to prove, and he's our rogue now. Arfield unlikely to start a third successive game, Collins very likely to start.

At 6... Matete has shown a lot of promise but we have to be careful not to break him, especially having played the 90 in midweek. Whether we agree or not, Evatt might choose to pick the <checks notes> Player of the Season, Player's Player of the Season and the dude who made the League One Team of the Season. Don't worry, children, all three are the same man.

At WB... Schön has been rested, Williams steps down after 90 minutes in the legs. JOT also had 90 minutes, but I suspect we revert to Cogz – for now.

At LCB... depends on three things: how fit Johnston is, how affected Iredale is by that slip, and which one our coaches think is likely to nullify Wrexham best.

[Worthy4England]

Horses for courses. You would hope the manager, if he was contemplating resting Matete made that plan some while ago, rather than the day before, as we do on here. As for the man with many gongs, there were some games he was a lot less effective in, whatever badges he accumulated, again, you would think that the manager contemplated that too in advance, as we're doing, speculating that this may be a Vic start, rather than a Dion start...

[GhostoftheBok]

Horses for courses. You would hope the manager, if he was contemplating resting Matete made that plan some while ago, rather than the day before, as we do on here. As for the man with many gongs, there were some games he was a lot less effective in, whatever badges he accumulated, again, you would think that the manager contemplated that too in advance, as we're doing, speculating that this may be a Vic start, rather than a Dion start...

Evatt's said a number of times he picks his teams well in advance and selections are balanced to give us the best options over 4-5 games.

[officer_dibble]

I think with Sheehan there was a sign with him being subbed fairly early on last week - Evatts saying to him if you go missing in games I’ve got someone to come in. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t start on Sunday.

I’d like to see Dion and Vic play together but get the view they might not - at least having one or the other on the bench is a proper finisher.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I think with Sheehan there was a sign with him being subbed fairly early on last week - Evatts saying to him if you go missing in games I’ve got someone to come in. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t start on Sunday.

I’d like to see Dion and Vic play together but get the view they might not - at least having one or the other on the bench is a proper finisher.

Agreed on the first paragraph.

On the second - I think Vic possibly could play as a 10 (Dion I'm less sure about) but it leaves us short of a substitute 9. Interesting we were linked last week (by the account that broke Schön and JOT) with loaning Dom Ballard. Maybe once McAtee settles we could play him up top for the last half-hour - you can imagine him pressing like Dion - but we might be focusing on him learning the 10 before trying the 9. (And then there's Dan, of course... perhaps.)

[BWFC_Insane]

Victor is a number 9. On his own he’s probably our best bet up there. For me Charles and Collins can play off him especially at home.

[irie Cee Bee]

My eleven would be
Baxter
Toal Santos Johnston
JDC Matete Thomasson Schon
MActee Collins
Ade

I believe Evatt will pick

Baxter
Toal Santos Iredale
JDC Sheehan Thomason Schon
Artfield Collins
Charles

Evatt will not want to change a winning team from the first league game despite our struggles in that game, especially in the first half.

[officer_dibble]

Very annoying this game isn’t until tomorrow - everyone else playing today.

[BorsdaneWhite]

I wonder—if preferring solidity, mobility, and steel in the centre—if he’s considered Sheehan alongside Collins as a 10. I’m of the opinion that he’s played himself undroppable—what with his topping the assists last season, amongst everything else he offers. ‘T’would perhaps reduce his defensive responsibilities (frailties?) and relocate that creative brain up the pitch.

I’m less enthused by the Collins, Charles, and Vic as a narrow three. Can’t help but think they’d get in each other’s way. They’re all predominantly goal scorers, yes, but I fear only Collins can create for others.

[TANGODANCER]

I wonder—if preferring solidity, mobility, and steel in the centre—if he’s considered Sheehan alongside Collins as a 10.

I wondered the same thing about Dempsey? Just a thought.

[BWFC_Insane]

I wonder—if preferring solidity, mobility, and steel in the centre—if he’s considered Sheehan alongside Collins as a 10. I’m of the opinion that he’s played himself undroppable—what with his topping the assists last season, amongst everything else he offers. ‘T’would perhaps reduce his defensive responsibilities (frailties?) and relocate that creative brain up the pitch.

I’m less enthused by the Collins, Charles, and Vic as a narrow three. Can’t help but think they’d get in each other’s way. They’re all predominantly goal scorers, yes, but I fear only Collins can create for others.

Think we need to see how the system develops. The way we’ve been so far we’ve used those number 10’s as outlets a fair bit and it’s why Arfield has struggled and Sheehan would struggle even more doing that. If we start getting a grip more and keeping the ball more he could be dangerous in a roaming role where he can drift out to in and effect the game from there in that number 10 role.

The issue with Sheehan is in his career he’s scored less than 1 in 10 - his game doesn’t suit a mobile 8 role, nor does his output suggest he’s a great AM and it’s why he’s been a deep lying 6 behind two 8’s or an 8 and 10 for the better parts of his career. Thats all well and good but we aren’t playing that system and he also has weaknesses for that role.

[Bertie Wooster]

Big big test for Evatt tomorrow in front of a potentially large 26,000 League 1 crowd - after the Wembley debacle this will be first game for most fans, if we don't show up & compete and show that things have changed since Wembley physically, mentally & tactically it won't go down well.

Fingers crossed they turn up.

[GhostoftheBok]

We knew this was the issue for Evatt this season. One bad result and the knives will be out from some.

Every team loses games, so it's inevitable it'll happen at some stage.

[DJBlu]

We knew this was the issue for Evatt this season. One bad result and the knives will be out from some.

Every team loses games, so it's inevitable it'll happen at some stage.

Sad thing is some people can't wait for it.

[BWFC_Insane]

We knew this was the issue for Evatt this season. One bad result and the knives will be out from some.

Every team loses games, so it's inevitable it'll happen at some stage.

Pressure goes with the territory. Evatts had virtually none at Bolton and it’s not like he will be sacked this season whatever happens. Bar some weird extreme scenario.

But increased pressure is inevitable after last season.

[GhostoftheBok]

Pressure goes with the territory. Evatts had virtually none at Bolton and it’s not like he will be sacked this season whatever happens. Bar some weird extreme scenario.

But increased pressure is inevitable after last season.

Yes and he's brought it on himself with the performance in the final. More an observation than anything else.

It'll be interesting to see if the top sides all take points off one another and the "lesser" sides being string leads to upsets.

Could be a really twisty, turny season - or one team could just run off with it.

[TANGODANCER]

Supporters? Fine way to start when some want the manager sacked after winning the first two games of a new season with some players who haven't even unpacked their gear yet .. Welcome to Bolton indeed...

[BorsdaneWhite]

I wonder—if preferring solidity, mobility, and steel in the centre—if he’s considered Sheehan alongside Collins as a 10.

I wondered the same thing about Dempsey? Just a thought.

Nearing fitness innee. It’s a perfect role for the mon. Pizza Final Demps, welcome back.

[The_Gun]

Absolutely sensational effort from our fans. Really wish I could be there for this one, and I hope the team can deliver under the glare of the global spotlight.

[MattySlug]

I am gonna both watch and listen tonight midnight as this game is both on TV Subscription Stream (BeInSports) & Free Radio stream through TALKSPORT2 app!
Go BOLTON let’s beat the ALWAYS SUNNY DEADPOOL FC CLUB!