paulhanley

Bookies will do that a lot. We are better off as undedogs. Let em underestimate us.

Dogshit and Wigan. It could be a word association game.

Sheff Utd have drawn their first three games. Lots of their fans are right now no doubt thinking "This is where we get the first win, Bolton are newly promoted". Meanwhile after yesterday's little reality check some of ours may be thinking "This is a really tough Championship away fixture, don't fancy us". Undoubtedly Sheff U are clear favourites. But just as with yesterday, football doesn't always proceed along the simple lines you expect. We are sadly lacking goals - but we are looking fairly decent defensively. Would I be surprised if we lost? No. Would I be surprised if we nicked something from Bramhall Lane? Not really. Let's dust ourselves down and have another crack at picking up some points.

I was as wary as hell of this game today - more to do with reading how football works than anything else. A great derby home win, a hard-fought away point and loads of new signings. Then a home game against a rough and ready fellow promoted team on the search for their first points. It had trouble written all over it. So it proved. New signings have to be given time to bed in. We clearly need to add more punch at the sharp end of the pitch having only scored in one of the four league and cup games we've played this season. We are definitely missing Rodrigues because he can unlock defences. Two tough looking away games coming up now. We'll need to scrap like hell like we did at QPR, be organised and see what we can nick. Championship was never going to be easy. Not a time for sulking or meltdowns. Roll with the punches, clear heads and get ready for the next battle.

Yes Felgate rings a bell too. Meanwhile at Burnden the rot was setting in on the rot that had already been setting in!!

If I remember that last home defeat in 1984 was a night match and it was John Thomas who did the damage. Good day for SS to break his duck v The Imps. But as I said earlier this week, the very last thing we should do is take these lightly.

Its 12 after today. Fair play to all involved.

Solid signings and a squad looking more impressive by the day. Once again I'd love to know the fee. One more to go? ( I see we've released Cyrus too)

Don't think any of saw this coming but that ends any lingering doubts about lacking numbers in the middle of the park. Obviously know nothing about him. But there are certain standards generally upheld by Japanese footballers as a basic minimum - effort and energy akin to the Duracell bunny. Would love to know the fee. That American money has clearly had an influence and there's probably a bit more to be expended.

You are possibly right but I think rather than being three centre backs week in/week out it'll be something we do when SS thinks it suits the opposition we play. Its a good thing to have up our sleeve for when the situation calls for it.

Cundle is playing and scoring consistently for Millwall.

David Ngog - cost us a fortune and did next to nowt. Sasa Curcic - mercenary and weirdo

SS saying he wants 3 players before the deadline is exciting but curious. We all know we need another striker. It seems there is a plan for another keeper with Harrington going out on loan. What's the other? I assume its something to do with replacing a player or players who will leave - Randall and McAtee? Its going to be quite a few days for transfer activity - both at Bolton and around the country.

We have four wingers now. I think we can take that to mean they have given up on ACD. Striker will be the main focus from here onward.