Three reasons it’s not all doom and gloom at Bolton

There’s no denying that this has been a difficult season to be a Bolton Wanderers fan. The Trotters are already consigned to League One, and have just four league wins to their name this season. But there’s plenty of reason to believe that the four-time FA Cup winners can bounce back. Here’s why.

They have a great youth setup

While some of the more experienced players have disappointed at the Macron Stadium, the Trotters’ youth prospects have looked far more promising. Diminutive attacking midfielder Zach Clough has continued to show his fantastic footwork and clinical finishing. He’s netted six league goals in 23 Championship games this season – a quarter of all of Bolton’s strikes.

17-year-old Alex Samizadeh has also had a taste of first-team football in the latter stages of this season, and the prodigiously talented striker is hotly tipped for the future. Bolton will hope to keep onto both men, but if either leaves this summer, the club could be well recompensed – and there are sure to be new names emerging from the club’s conveyor belt of talent.

The fans are staying loyal

Despite picking up just three points in their last 13 games, the Trotters attendance has stayed above the 12,000 mark for every game in this league campaign. With an average attendance of over 15,000 this season, their crowds are higher than all but two clubs in League One.

With a new set of grounds for their away fans to visit, it’s likely that Bolton will be roared on by a healthy travelling support from Southend to Swindon. That can only help the club to finally improve their dismal form on the road.

There’s a new consortium in town

Sports Shield is its name, and fronted by ex-Trotters star Dean Holdsworth, they’re promising a bright future for Bolton Wanderers. The club’s recent financial troubles have been well-documented, and factored into Neil Lennon’s departure.

However, the hope is that with Holdsworth and new chairman Ken Anderson at the helm, Wanderers’ next manager will have all the tools to bring success back to the north-west club.

Bolton are 8/1 to grab their first away win of the season at Cardiff this weekend, with the Bluebirds 4/11 for victory and a draw priced at 15/4. Survival may be beyond the Trotters, but a win in south Wales could be another small step in the resurgence of a grand old club.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.