Bolton Wanderers vs Reading: Match Preview
Reading have come into some frustrating news this week in regards to the takeover. Bolton have the chance to further damage Reading’s broken hearts.
News broke that we were going to get an update on Wednesday morning about the takeover. We did. The exclusivity period has expired, meaning we’re back to square one. So many questions need to be asked of Rob Couhig, Dai Yongge and others involved in the takeover. The main one… why did the takeover fall apart?
Who was at fault? What will this mean for the future of the club? Is there anyone we can trust when looking at news anymore? What will this mean for the club for the rest of the season? What can we do about it?
Some more questions can be asked and answered in today’s preview.
What? League One, match day six
Season? 2024/25
Who? Bolton Wanderers
Where? Toughsheet Community Stadium
When? Saturday September 21
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Ian Evatt
What could happen to the football club we all love?
This week’s news was hard to take. Just when we thought we were on the right path to becoming a stable club once more, it gets taken away from us, again. For those wanting to know, the deal has reached the end of its exclusivity period.
The exclusivity period expiring means one of two things: Dai has seen an offer that is greater than what Rob Couhig has put in and, due to greed, has decided to pursue it. Or Dai has included more costs in the deal than Couhig is willing to pay, so the deal has broken down. We are uncertain at the moment about which one it is, but we are all going to have our assumptions.
I feel bad for the stakeholders and what they are having to go through and I am thankful they’re still with us. We’re part of this club as much as anyone else but the people running the club don’t seem to think that. It’s like a love-hate relationship and it needs to stop.
To be in this position as a fan is horrible. Like you, I fell in love with Reading Football Club. To see what has become of it now destroys me like it will you. But the club needs us fans now more than it ever has. If we can’t stick by the club when we are losing off the pitch, how are we going to stick by it when we are winning on the pitch?
There are a few rumours going round for more protests at home games. We as fans need to be able to come to a conclusion that doesn’t harm the club’s position. I’m not saying the protests didn’t do anything - they managed more publicity than the situation had ever got, and they made campaigns such as Sell Before We Dai known among not just Reading supporters, but also football fans who can see the pain and torture the club is going through.
But we are still within the dates for the suspended points deduction, activated if we force a match abandonment again. I know we should be able to do whatever we need to do to save the club, but is protesting the right thing to do this time? Or do we need to find another solution to a recurring problem?
What does this mean for the players?
My main concern is player and staff wages. What is the club running off at the moment and will we be able to pay these wages alongside paying HMRC and other bills?
What about Chem Campbell? Our loanee’s wages are more than likely paid in a split percentage, eg Wolverhampton Wanderers paying 60% and we pay 40%. If that is the case, are we able to keep him? Even if his loan is only until January. Expect a big sale again in January for the club to generate some money to pay others.
Bolton Wanderers
Now I shouldn’t be selfish in the preview so let’s talk about the opposition.
Bolton Wanderers are currently sat in 21st in the table, having won one, drawn one, and lost three in their opening five league games this season. Coming off the back of a 4-0 loss to Huddersfield Town, Wanderers are looking to regain last season’s form which saw them finish in the playoffs.
I think people were expecting a little bit more from Bolton this season as they were able to keep most of their players and have then recruited smartly, bringing in players such as Luke Southwood and John McAtee, who have strengthened their squad.
So, what is the problem?
Well the first thing to consider is their run of games. So far they have played Leyton Orient, Wrexham, Charlton Athletic, Exeter City and Huddersfield. That’s three of the top four and then two of the bottom half, winning against one of them.
The second thing to consider is that the league is getting stronger and stronger by the season. More clubs have more money to spend, big teams coming down and destroying the league to get back up. Bolton can’t seem to keep up. Although they’ve made smart signings, they haven’t been able to replace those who have left, which could become a problem if they can’t get anyone in January.
The lineup
With Joel Pereira still injured it’s between David Button and Coniah Boyce-Clarke again for the goalkeeper position this weekend. Boyce-Clarke was at fault in the game against Leyton Orient, but I think Ruben Selles will keep him in the net.
The back four of Michael Craig, Amadou Mbengue, Tyler Bindon and Jeriel Dorsett doesn’t seem to change and I think it will stay that way for this game, but if Dorsett makes any more mistakes, then he is in line to be dropped after this game.
I think the midfield three will have the only change from last week: Reading bringing in Harvey Knibbs for Charlie Savage to partner Lewis Wing and Ben Elliott. I think Knibbs will really compliment how Campbell plays on the right-hand side, allowing him to make darting runs in behind the defence, similar to how Adrian Akande did in the win against Charlton.
The front three will consist of Sam Smith, Campbell and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan. I am hoping they can find their shooting boots again to help us grasp a win in what is looking like a game inevitable to be a draw.
Score prediction: 1-1
Get behind the Royals and show the support the club is in dire need of right now.
Come on you Royals!