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

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Not sure I see the sense in leaving Southwood out but having all of Morley, Matete, Dempsey and Arfield on the bench.

No, but then I suppose Evatt will see it as very different tools - depending how the game goes.

Given we habitually replace the entire front three, looks like we expect our "finishers" to be Demps and Arfield behind Vic, with Matete and Morley ready to do stints at 6s if required. Forino covers the back three (pehaps via Toal switch) and JOT covers both wingbacks.

[The_Gun]

Not sure I see the sense in leaving Southwood out but having all of Morley, Matete, Dempsey and Arfield on the bench.

No, but then I suppose Evatt will see it as very different tools - depending how the game goes.

I get that’s what Evatt likes to do, but with Baxter having an injury history it feels like too much of a risk for me.

[officer_dibble]

Missed Forino tbf, thought no centre half was a risk.

[Mar]

No Williams on the bench.

No Williams, no Iredale, no Dan (again) and no goalkeeper. It's a tough call to get into our 18 when all are fit.

Not sure I see the sense in leaving Southwood out but having all of Morley, Matete, Dempsey and Arfield on the bench.

I tend to favour the additional outfield option over the goalkeeper more often than not. It's clear that Morley, Matete and Dempsey are all different types of midfielders and offer us different outs.

I'd suspect:
Sheehan -> Morley
Thomason -> Matete
extra mid behind the striker -> Dempsey

Usually i'd be shocked to see us missing Iredale and Williams, but i'd imagine that we're currently expecting JDC or Tutu to cover the wing back berth and Forino to be the defensive cover.


Not overly sold on Arfield at the moment. Maybe thats Ageism kicking in, but the more football I watch lately the more i'm seeing this to be a younger mans game. Very rarely i'm seeing someone dominate in their 35+'s. Hopefully Arfield changes my opinion and does well, but i'm still suffering from PTSD from the Jerome and Heskey outings (lesser extent Wilbraham).


I suspect N'lundulu is getting touted around, not giving him any game time may just be the signal he needs to get him to decide to go elsewhere. If he sits tight I would expect him to end up getting game time.

[officer_dibble]

Totally disagree with you on Arfield! Age, game management, cool, wise head - deffo a place for it! If we’re a goal up in a tight game I’m certain he’ll come on.

[officer_dibble]

I’ve paired this with Carlisle at home from last season in my are we doing better/worse than last season test. Big away following, well drilled opposition.

[TANGODANCER]

Problem over, daughters been and gone. Bring it on..

[Mar]

Totally disagree with you on Arfield! Age, game management, cool, wise head - deffo a place for it! If we’re a goal up in a tight game I’m certain he’ll come on.

Glad you disagree. Not saying he was bad, just not seeing why his inclusion would be warranted over other player's we've got. Feels like there's nothing in it at the moment.

[Prufrock]

Hope this goes better than the last Sky TV, club legend tribute, against FC Hollywood...

[Mar]

Great start so far. McAtee looks the physical sort we've been crying out for.

[DJBlu]

Grrr Josh.

[sonicthewhite]

Won't be home until after the game finishes so all I can say is COYWM!

[Mar]

Looks like this'll be one where the ref is done by the occasion. Soft free kicks and no yellows for lunges from their lot. Almost as if the ref can tell he's on TV.

[Mar]

Another bit of argy bargy with Santos and Marriot off the ball man handling not going punished by the ref.

This lot are apparently bad at set pieces, so some more of them would be nice.

Feels like we need a few more risky balls in order to unlock this defence.

[Prufrock]

Been superb off the ball so far. Need to turn the screw and make it count.

[DJBlu]

Schon is going to be a fan favourite soon enough.

[DJBlu]

Josh grrr.

[Mar]

Schon is going to be a fan favourite soon enough.

A goal and a Dapo style celebration should do the trick. Already looks the part.



We're looking decent at matching physicality so far. Class wise we seem a notch above in this opening half hour, whether that'll make a difference remains to be seen. Gotta start getting some more shots off rather that just the passing game.

[officer_dibble]

Feels like nowts changed for me… plenty of possession none of it particularly penetrating their back line. Cogley in particular disappointing with the ball.

[The_Gun]

Onside ffs.