Bolton fans: Parkinson’s stopped the rot but jury’s still out on his signings
Bolton fans are fairly confident about things on the pitch and are grateful that events off the pitch has quietened down…
Thanks to REP for posing the questions
About the fans…
Worthy4England – Err, I’ve been watching Bolton since the 70’s. I’m 35
Bruce Rioja – I’ve been going since 1974. I’ve seen us play in all four divisions and Europe too. My first away game was actually at your place in 1983-ish. Me and two of my mates presented ourselves at Piccadilly Station. “Three returns to Port Vale please”. “There’s no such place”. “There <ovfcensored> is, we’re playing them this afternoon”.
Harry Genshaw – I first went around the mid ’70s and I’ve been a season ticket until 2005. Now I only go when I can get sorted for cheap tickets.
About the opposition…
How do you expect your team to do this season?
Hopefully we will be there in the mix at the end…
Worthy4England – We’ve had a decent enough start after years of going the wrong way. Hopefully we will be there in the mix at the end. So, the play-offs.
Bruce Rioja – The way we’re playing just now – I’d expect the play-offs at least. The way we were playing a month ago – we would have been lucky to stay up.
Harry Genshaw – I expected us to struggle so anything above halfway is a bonus.
What are your thoughts on the manager and his signings?
He seems to have stopped the rot. His signings have been hit and miss…
Worthy4England – I think he’s doing what he was bought in to do. He’s signed a lot of six foot tall players, has made us difficult to score against and his defensive signings have been pretty good (less so the attacking ones). Clough has grabbed four in his last couple of games while Spearing is playing pretty solidly, but don’t waste two defenders on marking Madine.
Bruce Rioja – He seems to have stopped the rot. His signings have been hit and miss. Defensively we’re looking fairly solid now and Beevers is excellent. Upfront, Parkinson’s signings have been less effective. Henry has been absolute <ovfcensored>.
Harry Genshaw – He has a good reputation at this level and he’s as good as we could have hoped for. He’s made a decent start. Zach Clough is probably our main threat. Beevers and Howard aside, his signings have so far failed to excite.
Your thoughts on the board?
Worthy4England – It’s a bit difficult to judge at the moment. We spent so much of last season flirting with administration (I was one of a few who didn’t think we’d go into Admin) – so it’s quiet board-wise, which is actually an improvement. We don’t know whether we’re solvent or skint, but all the indications are that we’re slowly turning round the financials.
Bruce Rioja – It’s all gone very quiet, which I for one am very happy about.
Harry Genshaw – I’m bored of it all to be honest. We’re skint but as long as we’ve still got a team!
A score prediction and attendance?
Worthy4England – 13,000 and 2-0 to Bolton (hopefully – we’ve not been great, performance-wise at home).
Bruce Rioja – We haven’t conceded in five games but we aren’t great up front. I’ll be more than happy if we can nick it 1-0.
Harry Genshaw – A 1-0 win for us hopefully. Attendance of 14,000.
About the Vale…
Where do you think Vale will finish?
It’s difficult to tell really, when you’ve been out of a Division for a while…
Worthy4England – You’ve started pretty well, but it looks like October’s been tough. It’s difficult to tell really, when you’ve been out of a Division for a while… perhaps upper mid-table with maybe a push for play-offs given a decent run at the right time?
Bruce Rioja – Who knows? If you’re much like us then you can be playing like the Dog & Duck one minute and 70’s Liverpool the next.
Harry Genshaw – I’m ashamed to say I don’t know a great deal about you these days compared to when our paths crossed more frequently in the 80s and 90s but it looks like you’ve made a decent start
A guide for Vale fans…
Can you tell us something about your side we may not know?
Ricardo Gardner is the only ever player to have managed to kick a ball that’s landed outside of the stadium…
Worthy4England – We don’t like Wolves, either. We have “drummers”, don’t sit near them.
Bruce Rioja – Apparently we have the only ground in which the teams turn out onto the pitch via separate tunnels. The wind always blows into the away end, so wrap up warm. Ricardo Gardner is the only ever player to have managed to kick a ball that’s landed outside of the stadium.
Harry Genshaw – We once conceded five goals in seven minutes in a league cup tie at Notts County. We haven’t won at Gigg Lane for two days . We are the one and only Wanderers.
What about a recommended blog or forum?
Worthy4England – the-wanderer.co.uk is the best. If they want “Hello”, they could try the Lion of Vienna Suite…
Bruce Rioja – the-wanderer.co.uk
Harry Genshaw – No.
Any recommendations for pubs, food and parking?
Worthy4England – The Beehive – about 10 mins walk away – has some parking, does food. Barnstormers on Lostock Lane is OK too. I wouldn’t think you’d get into the pubs right next door to the ground they do a ticket check generally. You can park either at the stadium or on the Retail Park… I dunno if they’re still giving out tickets to non-shoppers on the retail park.
Bruce Rioja – The Beehive. Carry on past the stadium and when you get to the roundabout it’s right in front of you. You can get a nosebag in there as well.
Harry Genshaw – As above. The pies are alright inside but you’d better off nipping into Tesco or Subway on the retail park.