3/1 To Win
In just under three weeks, Derby County will start their 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship season at Sunderland.
Since Thursday, dcfc.co.uk has been counting down to the new campaign, previewing one of the Rams’ opponents each day.
Today, we take a look at Bolton Wanderers, who will be looking to make their mark back in the second tier following their promotion from League 1 last season…
Bolton Wanderers
Manager: Phil Parkinson
Nickname: The
Trotters
Stadium Capacity: 28,723
Finishing Position Last Campaign: 2nd (Automatic Promotion from League One on 86 Points)
Last Season’s Top Scorer (2016/17): Gary Madine (10 Goals)
Promotion Odds (According to Coral): 25/1
When Do We Face The Trotters?
Home – Saturday 7th April 2018 (Kick-Off: 3pm)
Away – Saturday 19th August 2017 (Kick-Off: 3pm)
What Were The Scores Last Time Out?
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Derby County - August 2015
Derby County 4-1 Bolton Wanderers - April 2016
How Did They Fare Last Season?
After suffering relegation from the Sky Bet Championship at the end of the 2015/16 season, the immediate aim for everyone at the Macron Stadium was to bounce back at the first attempt.
The Trotters went about their business in an exemplary fashion and successfully achieved promotion back to English football’s second tier via the second and final automatic slot on the last day of the season.
The foundations for their promotion were laid in the summer of 2016 when they moved to appoint highly-sought after Phil Parkinson after four successful years at Bradford City.
Parkinson was integral in moulding his preferred squad through a number of impactful free transfer signings, in addition to getting the best out of the squad he inherited, and their consistent form ensured that the Trotters always remained amongst the mix for automatic promotion. When it came to the crunch, with Fleetwood Town breathing down their necks, they held their nerve.
Second only to Sheffield United, Bolton secured promotion on the final day of the season with a 3-0 win over Peterborough United and ahead of the upcoming season, Wanderers will be hoping to maintain their crest of a wave and make an impact back in the second tier.
Parkinson has been busy in the transfer market, both inward and outward bound, to make sure they're ready to handle the step up back to the Championship.
