Bolton Wanderers Set-Up Praised By Rival Boss

Bolton Wanderers’ coaches and players have been highlighted by Portsmouth boss John Mousinho prior to their clash on Saturday in what is arguably the most intriguing of this weekend’s slate of games.

With their automatic promotion chances still alive, Bolton know that a win is needed in order to give themselves the best chance of playing in the Championship next season. Sat just a singular point behind second-placed Derby County in the League One table prior to the Rams’ game with Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday night, they are no longer in control of the automatic spot but will be looking to capitalise if Paul Warne’s side slip up.

Ian Evatt’s men do however face an incredibly tough task at the weekend as they host league leaders Portsmouth. Their opponents are on a great run of form as well and are unbeaten in their last 15 matches, 11 of those being wins. The players will know that they can seal promotion with a victory and will certainly be up for the game, Bolton will be looking to prevent that happening though.

Although they may not be playing to the same level to which they showed at the start of the season, the Wanderers have put decent performances together in their last two matches. A 5-2 victory against Reading was followed by a hard-fought 2-0 win away at Bristol Rovers last Saturday. With Derby out of action last weekend, the gap has been closed and now with a bit of momentum, Evatt will be looking to keep that winning run going.

Prior to the start of the season this is more or less where the club were expected to be and they’ve been one of the most consistent teams this season even with a long injury list which has hampered them at points since the turn of the year.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho was extremely complimentary about the set-up that Bolton have, in an interview with The News, and expects it to be a very tough assignment for his side.

“They’ve been in fantastic form all season.

“They’re a side that improved year-on-year when they have been in this league. They’re on a decent run of form at the moment. They’ve got threats all over the pitch and they’ve scored a lot of goals this year.

“They’re very well coached and it’s always going to be a difficult game when you go up to Bolton particularly in these circumstances When Bolton are playing for promotion themselves. We expect a really tough test and a really good game of football.”

A loss wouldn’t necessarily end the Whites’ chances of automatic promotion this season but they would have a mountain to climb. With Derby facing Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday night, fans will be hoping that they slip up and the gap stays at a point.

Writer’s View

Bolton and Portsmouth’s respective league position’s emphasise just how exciting of a game Saturday’s matchup should be and there’s plenty on the line. Pompey will be looking to get the job done and achieve promotion whereas the Wanderers will be looking to spoil the party whilst keeping their own promotion chances alive.

At the worst case, they may have to fight in the play-offs this season but with the return of some key players in the next couple of weeks, fans may be quietly confident that they can get the job done. With the harder run-in of the two, they may be hoping that Derby slip up in order to achieve automatic promotion this year.

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