‘Survival Sunday’: How Bolton Wanderers can stay up

After picking up just one solitary point in their last seven games, Bolton Wanderers have left themselves in quite a precarious position. With one game remaining in the season, Wanderers currently occupy 23rd position in the Championship, one point from safety.

Despite the horrendous run of form, Bolton Wanderers have the opportunity to remain in The Championship. However, their fate is in the hands of other teams. To stand any chance of survival, Bolton have to win. No ifs, ands and buts. The players and Phil Parkinson are fully aware of that fact. Wanderers don’t win, they’re down. Win or bust.

With Burton Albion, Barnsley and Birmingham City above them, Wanderers need huge favours from the teams those three will face; Preston North End, Derby County and Fulham.

There are a few scenarios which will mean Wanderers stay up:

Barnsley & Burton Lose

Wins for Derby and Preston would relegate both Barnsley and Burton, who would remain on 41 points.

Barnsley & Burton Draw

If Barnsley and Burton can manage draws whilst Bolton win, they will both be relegated on 42 points

Birmingham collapse against Fulham

This one’s a little less likely, but if Wanderers can win and Fulham run rampant against Birmingham, then the Blues could be relegated. That would also depend on the results of the Barnsley and Burton games.

Whether or not Sunday pans out in Wanderers’ favour, Bolton need to create a performance worthy of winning the game against Forest.

We need to see the 2018 equivalent of Fredi Bobic’s hat-trick against Ipswich Town or Per Frandsen’s thumping drive against Middlesbrough.

Those players who will be out there on the pitch will be fully aware of the ramifications of ‘Survival Sunday’. Many of those players are out of contract and could potentially be playing their last game for Bolton. What better way to go than to keep the club up in dramatic style? Let’s hope so.

All fans ever want to see is a player who leaves the pitch knowing that he couldn’t give any more.

Supporting Bolton Wanderers can be a chore. We’ve had great times, whilst more recently we’ve had to endure some rough years. It’s infuriating, exhausting and exhilarating. Whatever the result, we’ll still support them home and away. Who else are you going to support?