Question Time: Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers

Ahead of this weekend's game with neighbours Blackburn Rovers, we spoke with Mark Hitchen, a a 27 year old teacher who provides support to other schools. Mark has also previously been employed to do some scouting for Blackburn last season.

He has been a season ticket holder for 24 years (that isn't a typo, he was 3!) and has been on the Blackburn Fans Forum for 10 years, who meet every 6 weeks to discuss club matters with the club.

1) How has your season been so far?

Our season has been how we all hoped. Sure we'd love to have been in Leicester's position but realistically we all hoped to have a much calmer season, shift out the significant number of dead wood in the squad, have a team of players that cared and to progress from last season with regards to performances and league position.

2) Who has been your star man?

Our season has been more about building a team than individuals, that said Tom Cairney has come in and done exceptionally well, Grant Hanley has continued to progress, Tommy Spurr, Corry Evans and Rudy Gestede all look decent additions too.

Obviously Jordan Rhodes has been his usual self.

3) Are you happy with your manager?

Yes. Gary has come in, reduced the wage budget, whilst improving the squad. He has ensured the supporters have a team on the pitch that always give 100% and look to play the right way.

Some supporters have commented he looks to settle when we go 1 in front but I think we must remember how far we have come from the shambles of the past 3 years and are continually progressing.

4) Have things settled down off the pitch?

Very much so, we still are without a chairman and look short in the boardroom however we have heard very little about the behind the scenes, that is a relief!

We have grown wary however and are always expecting the unexpected.

5) Were you ever concerned that Jordan Rhodes would leave for Bolton, given the rumours in the summer?

No. Venkys always look to at least get their money back - take Kalinić as an example.

They know Rhodes is a goal machine and would only look to sell for a profit. You guys also have the same FFP problems as us, I don't think shelling out £10m and £30k pw in wages is going to help that, I can't remember the last time you spent anywhere close to they either.

6) Who do you fear most in the Bolton side?

Lukas Jutkiewicz and Joe Mason are good championship players and Eagles always seems to raise his game against us being the ex dingle he is.

That said I think your best players are lacking form or fitness, Lee Chung-Yong, Stuart Holden and Mark Davies.

7) Give us a match prediction

You can never really predict Rovers this season and Rovers vs Bolton games are notoriously difficult to predict.

I'll go for a 2-2 draw.