Lincoln City (A) Boxing Day

[desperado]

Looking forward to this today. Looks like IE has mapped his sides out for next 3 games. Reading between the lines I’m expecting Santos and Maghoma to return today, possibly Vic up top.

From the BEN

IAN Evatt has a simple message to his Wanderers as they head to Lincoln City on Boxing Day: “Just keep calm and carry on!”

The Bolton boss hopes that the return of club captain Ricardo Santos will help to ease the nerves that were jangling at a blustery Toughsheet Stadium on Saturday in the 3-2 win against Leyton Orient.

The big centre-back was sent off in his previous outing against Bristol Rovers but has become so tactically important to Bolton that his absence can be notable, particularly against teams with a set piece threat.

Evatt was generally pleased with how Will Forrester, Eoin Toal and Gethin Jones helped to stem the O’s second-half comeback at the weekend but says Santos brings a completely different outlook to the team.

“There is a calmness when he is in the side,” he told The Bolton News. “That is absolutely not in any way, shape or form negative towards the three lads who played (against Leyton Orient) because they had to get a job done well too – but when Rico plays, it is different. For me, he is the best centre-back in the league.

“When you are missing him in that type of game you are going to see a difference. First half was exceptional, second-half we had to fight and dig in.

“We welcome Rico back now and we have a good squad of players who are ready to go again on Tuesday. Keep calm, carry on.”

By contrast to their previous opposition, Boxing Day rivals Lincoln City have conceded the most goals (10) from set plays this season in League One. The Imps also concede more possession than all but three sides in the division, which should make for a different type of contest.

Evatt says he has mapped out which team he will play at the LNER Stadium, against Fleetwood three days later and then finally the New Year’s Day home game against Burton Albion.

Circumstances may alter the substitutions he makes within each case – but he expects the blueprint to remain faithful.

“In-game changes might alter but I have an idea of which team will be needed for each game, and we will need everyone,” he said. “If (the Leyton Orient game) had stayed 3-0, 4-0, 4-1, then maybe I would have brought some of the more technical players coming on to the pitch – Carlos (Mendes Gomes), Paris (Maghoma), but it was just about fighting, grafting and getting over the line.

“Lincoln will be a completely different game, a completely different approach, and I think each game over this Christmas period offers something different to think about.

“The squad of players we have gives me the chance to pick the right players for the right occasion.

“I think Tuesday will be much more of a technical game and you will see a different team. That has to happen because four games in eight or nine days is tough, especially when you play the way we do, with and without the ball.

“We will get ready for that now, I’m delighted we could get the win, and I’d like to wish everyone a merry Christmas.”

[embankment]

Not going today , hope everyone that does has a " beltin" day out .

Try to bring back atleast 1pt

[tomski]

Think we need to win this. Then Burton/fleetwood are 23rd/24th in form guide respectively 

[captainmed]

Bring your sunglasses if you’re driving

[Whitesince63]

18 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

Lincoln is going to be an interesting challenge as they're tough to beat and are something of a draw specialist team. Nothing special up front - although they might get more joy if they push Mandroiu forward instead of the kid that's been playing recently, but their defence is pretty solid and we really can't afford to concede first or get caught on the break.

Only conceded 24 this season (same as us)

We could do with another 3 nil but it won't be that easy at their place.

Any win will do though.

Haven’t you found a way through Jules at Lincoln yet lusty or is he still blocking you? I had a gander on their site and they seem to be struggling with injuries up top and weak down the left at the back so maybe how’s a good time to be playing them before their new manager implements his thoughts. I expect a win today, though probably a narrow one, so 1-2 to the mighty Wanderers. 🥳

[MickyD]

Plenty of spares knocking about on Facebook.  

[Big E]

19 minutes ago, MickyD said:

Plenty of spares knocking about on Facebook.  

Well that’s annoying 

[Dr Faustus]

20 minutes ago, MickyD said:

Plenty of spares knocking about on Facebook.  

Fuck sake!

[tomski]

Who’s gonna post name and shame first? 
 

[woolli]

43 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Haven’t you found a way through Jules at Lincoln yet lusty or is he still blocking you? I had a gander on their site and they seem to be struggling with injuries up top and weak down the left at the back so maybe how’s a good time to be playing them before their new manager implements his thoughts. I expect a win today, though probably a narrow one, so 1-2 to the mighty Wanderers. 🥳

Hes been on one of the sites, ive seen it, thats where hes got his Lincoln information from.

[Wanderlust]

1 hour ago, Whitesince63 said:

Haven’t you found a way through Jules at Lincoln yet lusty or is he still blocking you? I had a gander on their site and they seem to be struggling with injuries up top and weak down the left at the back so maybe how’s a good time to be playing them before their new manager implements his thoughts. I expect a win today, though probably a narrow one, so 1-2 to the mighty Wanderers. 🥳

I've given up trying and he remains the only fansite owner in the entire league (apart from Sluffy obviously) that I haven't got along fine with despite being friendly and open with him - but he did post that he'd be in the "Treaty of Commerce" pub from 12 (High St opposite Iceland) so if anyone going would like to give him a slap please feel free to do so. (Balding, dark frame glasses, ginger beard and deeply insecure )

It's been 3 years now since I first encountered

Oops! We ran into some problems....

You have been banned for the following reason: Spam. Please contact the administrator if this was done in error..

As for the game, it's the same old story - if the lads turn up we'll be fine. An early goal would be useful - stop them sitting back en masse trying to frustrate us and score on the break - which I suspect will be their game plan.

Edited December 26, 2023 by Wanderlust

[Farnywhite]

Just read they didn’t play on Saturday and had a extra 2 days break on us bit out of order when you’re expected to play 3 games in 7 days 

[Spider]

0-0 today

[boogs]

Any advice on a pub with fellow whites in?? 

[little whitt]

4 minutes ago, boogs said:

Any advice on a pub with fellow whites in?? 

The Golden Eagle

[boogs]

5 minutes ago, little whitt said:

The Golden Eagle

Nice one mate 👍 

[Rizlar]

Need some good news today a win for the whites spent most of Xmas in bed with covid !!

[radcliffe white]

Too many changes 

[1969]

Just now, radcliffe white said:

Too many changes 

Agree but hopefully we are wrong and IE is right 

[burnden]

[Tonge moor green jacket]

Bit surprised but chance for Morley. 

Iirc, he played in the home fixture which we won, so hopefully we can do similar again.

An attacking line up.

 

[Lt. Aldo Raine]

I feel for Forrester

An opportunity for Morley today, let's hope he takes it

[desperado]

16 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

Too many changes 

He was always going to make changes this week.

I think those are good ones for todays game

[Whitesince63]

Sad for Forrester but he’ll be back in the next two. Agree with Victor alongside Dion, resume the partnership with a bursting Bod to bring on after 70 minutes. Sheehan went missing against Orient so not surprised to see Morley back in and let’s hope Maghoma redeems himself too. Whites to win this one.

[Eddie]

He clearly has a plan, he’s picked his teams for the Christmas fixtures before they start and it will obviously be based on the stats of how each of the opposition play etc..

I trust him to get it right and don’t dislike that starting line up, but I do think that it feeds into idea that he’s rigid in his set up and won’t move away from it (in game too) - how Forester is the one that makes way for Santos from Orient is crazy (although I suppose we lose Jones soon so may as well keep playing him).