LOV Bolton Wanderers 20/21 Predictions: Matt

This week, all the writers here at LOV are going to try and predict how the season will go for Bolton.

First up, it's Matt:

Best Signing

This is a bit difficult given that it encompasses most of the squad. With only a handful kept on from last year the recruitment effort has been sublime this summer. We have signed some ‘big names’ including the division’s player of last season in Eoin Doyle. We’ve signed up and coming players with potential and we’ve successfully battled with the other ‘big hitters’ in the League for these signatures. Considering this was all done early in the summer when other clubs held off has been all the more impressive. Credit is deserved to all involved. As for the best signing? Antoni Sarcevic. The former Plymouth Argyle midfielder has a tremendous track record in this division and higher. In previous seasons in League 2 he has managed 13 goals for Fleetwood and 10 goals for Plymouth. He has been included in the League 2 team of the year during his time at Fleetwood and was Plymouth’s player of the year last year. He’ll be a leader in the middle and deservedly looks like he’ll be our new captain. He might not get the headline this year but I’m certain any success we enjoy will be in no short part down to Sarc’,

Top Scorer

I would have thought Doyle was nailed on to be top scorer, even after the signing of Nathan Delfouneso. Doyle was top scorer in this league last year whereas Fonz has never been the prolific sort. That said pre-season has made me question if he might have a purple patch. I’ll go against the grain and say Fonz for top scorer.

Game I’m Looking Forward To

Hard one this. Salford our local-ish, our main rivals for promotion and is geographically convenient. With all that said however I can’t look past Port Vale. To understand why we must remember our glorious League 1 promotion run in. We could have confirmed promotion that day whereas they were looking at relegation. I can scarcely recall an atmosphere like it. Multiple pitch invasions on both sides, flares, skirmishes and police helicopters to boot. Can’t wait for round 2.

Opposing Player I’d Love

Jamie Reid now of Mansfield Town. Saw a bit of him during his early career down in the South West. He is a prolific and talented striker backed up by his numbers in Non-League: 19 in 31 last year (National League) and 32 in 42 (National League South) the year before. He’s had a crack at League 2 before but he was a lot younger. He’s evidently found his feet in football and looks ready to try again in the Football League. Whilst I remain very impressed with our signings in attack, both Eoin Doyle (32) and Nathan Delfouneso (29) do stand at the older end of the spectrum. At 26 Reid could have been a mainstay for a few years or a nice little moneymaker. With that said would I trade either Doyle or Fonz for the former Truro City man? Unlikely. Would be a great back up, mind.

Key Player

No other name here except Liam Gordon. The pacey left-wing back has looked to be a diamond find in pre-season. His pace, attacking prowess and intelligence should make the former Rushden man a great source of goals and last ditch tackles. The Wing back position ranks among the most important in the system Ian Evatt wants to play and with Gordon I think we have the perfect fit. Smart money on him to be the player of the year come seasons end.

Predict first 6 games

WWWWWW (not even checked who we’re against).

Final Postion

My head says 2nd but I would just love to see us come 1st at least once in my lifetime. 1st!

Any Other Business Predication

I’d love to say new investment in to the club but I cannae see it with the amount of failing clubs around to pick up on the cheap. I’ll be optimistic and say Dennis Politic to get some minutes this season. All the best lad!