Let's talk about the Bolton Wanderers game

[selby]

  Games coming thick and fast at the moment as we travel over the Pennines and up the M6 to Bolton, and the first thing to do is make sure the game is on and if they can field a team.
  The game against Blackpool was a torrid affair, not a lot of class, but lot's of effort and physical effort went into the game by the players  while Bolton were coming back from a two goal deficit at Rotherham, a game they dominated the ball in, but couldn't quite get the win their third place in the division needed to try avoiding the play offs and getting one of the two top spots.
  Kenny who came on as substitute in the second half proved the key to unlock Rotherham  with two assists for their goals that rescued a point, so is likely to come into the reckoning for a start against us, and is an indication that they have players in their squad that can make a difference.
  Both sides for very different reasons therefore will, like we did today, take a good result over a fantastic performance and we can expect Bolton to come at us from the off.
  We ourselves are a better side playing on the front foot in open games, and we pushed them in the game at home, and as a watch this could be one of the best of the season.
  Hopefully a game to look forward to, and a test of where we are at as a team with an altered line up, and a simpler game plan, lots to discuss and talk about, and looking better going forward that we can consolidate our place in this division, and show we can go toe to toe with the better sides, please have your say.

[Chris Black come back]

They have an immense home record in the league and have lost only once at home all season. This will be very tough.

[Barmby Rover]

As much as I would love to see a Rovers win here, I can't see how they can compete with Bolton, we have some quality players, but not enough to make our chances turn into goals, and our defensive frailties will be shown up, in just the same way Cardiff did that. Go on Grant, prove me wrong, please!

[Usher wide.]

This is where Grant shows why he his THE best manager to have in this situation.

‘Dig in’ & grind out a point.

[selby]

  Our defence is far better where it needs to be in our own area, The two central defenders are not as easy on the eye, but are first and foremost good defenders of space in the area and crosses.
  The best of their game centres within the goal line and about thirty yards up field and plus our keeper is a good handler and catcher of the ball, all the things that have been missing since the end of last season.
  Positionally in that area they are far better at closing players down and following the runs into the box and blocking off, and because of that the full backs have less area to try and cover and not continually having two men coming at them especially down the left where Senior is having the best period of form since joining the club.
  It isn't a fluke, get the ball and give it to someone who can play or at least out of the danger area.

[ncRover]

Looks like Blackett-Taylor their danger man at the moment went off injured yesterday.

Need to beware of Dalby big striker very good at attacking crosses in to the box.

[Bessie Red]

They have an immense home record in the league and have lost only once at home all season. This will be very tough.

Blackpool got a point there a few weeks ago & they are dogger!

[Lytham Rover]

Just don't play Lee.....

[Scooter]

So I have a fess up. Tuesday is my birthday and I’m going to the game. They very very rarely win on my birthday (or so it seems). One for the stattos - how many times have we won on paddy’s day?

I will be 48 and rovers have ruined so many birthdays. We have been live on sky (Chester rings a bell) and been beat. I’ve taken family for my birthday - we have been beat.

Law of averages - hope I’m wrong this time

[drfchound]

So I have a fess up. Tuesday is my birthday and I’m going to the game. They very very rarely win on my birthday (or so it seems). One for the stattos - how many times have we won on paddy’s day?

I will be 48 and rovers have ruined so many birthdays. We have been live on sky (Chester rings a bell) and been beat. I’ve taken family for my birthday - we have been beat.

Law of averages - hope I’m wrong this time

All runs come to an end scooter.
Have faith.

[Petche]

Just don't play Lee.....

Why?

[Avsuptem]

They have gone 12 games without a defeat, perfect time for their luck to run out.

[Donnywolf]

Drysdale alert Drysdale alert. One for the Rate the Ref boys !

[Metalmicky]

I think Darren Drysdale is a decent referee...... there, I've said it.

[Reg of the Rovers]

Middleton out, Clifton in, let Lee drift wide off Hanlon as a left-sided 10. Other than that, not much wrong with what we did at the weekend. No more brain farts in defence, and a bit more luck / judgement in front of goal and we can give these a game.

[Blue Green Algae]

We've conceded 4 or more goals in 6 games this season. I hope I'm wrong but I can see this being number 7.

[Donnywolf]

I think Darren Drysdale is a decent referee...... there, I've said it.

Entitled to your opinion of course . It's what we are all here for after all

This is ( hopefully )his scores on Rate the Ref for his last handling of us v Barnsley a few Months back in Nov 25

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=295500.msg1426959#msg1426959


Unfortunately I've gone WIN on PvO B4 seeing he was Reffing , and I've never edited my selection so stuck with WIN

[Frankie Rennie]

Glad to see you’ve lifted yourselves away from the drop zone guys so at least if we do win tomorrow, as we surely should, I won’t feel guilty for sending you down. In fairness despite our lofty position we are just so erratic. We’ve drawn 14 games almost all of which we should have won comfortably but our failure to convert chances and continual gifting of goals at the back has cost us an automatic place. So we’ll have to make do with the play offs and it’s now about securing 3rd or 4th place. We need the points tomorrow to keep confidence high but no games a given for us. All season we’ve been slow first half as showed again in our last two against Wycombe and Rotherham, two down in both at half time but we are incredibly fit and have a strong bench so second halves we’ve been excellent. We have two injury misses in Blackett-Taylor and CH Eoin Toal but neither should affect too much with plenty of cover. Up front Kenny and Dalby are forging a good partnership and are just getting into a stride. Despite missing Blackett-Taylor we’re still dangerous out wide with Gale, Cissoko and Apter on the wings and our young left wing back Conway also potent gown that side. We’re not the best defensively and if you get at us we do leave spaces behind as Millers exploited on Saturday. I think it’ll be a really good game with both teams needing the points. Hard to say who needs them most and a draw would probably suit you more than us but let’s hope it’s a good game and the best team wins. Safe journey for those going over which sadly won’t include me as i’m just recovering from a heart op and can’t drive so it’s TV. ☹️

[wing commander]

   Cheers Frankie, for me this is one of those free hit games. What we have done brilliantly well since xmas is beat the teams around us or in the lower reaches of the league. This has given us a bit of breathing space again. What we haven't done well is take something from the teams at the top reaches of the league. We've played okay (Cardiff aside) but just not been able to take anything. For me Bolton are one of those sides that play great football but just haven't been able to score the goals that make them a top 2 contender everything else is great.

This is a game that if we are all honest not many will be expecting us to come back from with anything other than a battling defeat, Football however has a habit of throwing up surprises so fingers crossed this is one of those games we either find a way to sneek or grab a point from. Anythings a bonus.

[Alan Southstand]

Thanks for the summary, Frankie, and I hope you don’t get too much excitement so you get better sooner

All the best.

[Metalmicky]

Blackett-Taylor out for Bolton...

https://the72.co.uk/2026/03/16/bolton-wanderers-corey-blackett-taylor-injury/

[roversdude]

Frankie great update thank you and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Agree with Wing Commander this is a game we don’t really expect anything from this season so can go there and just play, we either steal something or lose by 3 or 4 again tbh our goal difference is so bad I can’t see it coming into play. Looking forward to this especially as I used to work on Lostock Lane

[scawsby steve]

Glad to see you’ve lifted yourselves away from the drop zone guys so at least if we do win tomorrow, as we surely should, I won’t feel guilty for sending you down. In fairness despite our lofty position we are just so erratic. We’ve drawn 14 games almost all of which we should have won comfortably but our failure to convert chances and continual gifting of goals at the back has cost us an automatic place. So we’ll have to make do with the play offs and it’s now about securing 3rd or 4th place. We need the points tomorrow to keep confidence high but no games a given for us. All season we’ve been slow first half as showed again in our last two against Wycombe and Rotherham, two down in both at half time but we are incredibly fit and have a strong bench so second halves we’ve been excellent. We have two injury misses in Blackett-Taylor and CH Eoin Toal but neither should affect too much with plenty of cover. Up front Kenny and Dalby are forging a good partnership and are just getting into a stride. Despite missing Blackett-Taylor we’re still dangerous out wide with Gale, Cissoko and Apter on the wings and our young left wing back Conway also potent gown that side. We’re not the best defensively and if you get at us we do leave spaces behind as Millers exploited on Saturday. I think it’ll be a really good game with both teams needing the points. Hard to say who needs them most and a draw would probably suit you more than us but let’s hope it’s a good game and the best team wins. Safe journey for those going over which sadly won’t include me as i’m just recovering from a heart op and can’t drive so it’s TV. ☹️

Get well soon, Frankie.

[tommy toes]

Get well soon Frankie, one of the draws you ‘should have won’ was certainly not at our place, that was one of a few games we didn’t win, but should have.

[andy didcott]

1-2.

[selby]

It was a hard physical game at the weekend, following a hard game in mid week against Luton and we had to work hard in both games to come out of them with anything.
  Fitness could well determine the out come of this game for both sides.

[Frankie Rennie]

Cheers for your good wishes guys, still at least a month off driving but hoping to be fit for the play offs if we get there. I’ve been impressed by some of Donny’s performances recently and think you’re definitely a step above some of those beneath you. On that basis we can’t take the game tomorrow lightly because the leagues so even this year that anyone can beat anyone. We’re on a good unbeaten run but whilst we’ve played well we haven’t taken advantage and had we not scored so many late, late goals this season would be mid table. We have good players but to be honest I couldn’t write here now what our first team is because Schuey changes it every week, either being clever or to keep players happy but for me it disrupts. I think we may be missing one or two with injury and niggles tomorrow as well as CBT and Toal so that may be a problem but hopefully not key players and we can give you a good game. If I were Grant I’d be looking to attack us early on and for the first half, get a lead then shut up shop but remember we don’t stop coming until the final whistle.

[Jimmydee]

Can anyone recommend where to park for tonight’s game?

[The Red Baron]

Jamie O'Connor has replaced Darren Drysdale

Drysdale alert Drysdale alert. One for the Rate the Ref boys !

[Reg of the Rovers]

Anyone know what kit we’re wearing please?