Dennis Chase

With Marcos Alonso all but certain to leave the Reebok, most of the attention this summer will be on the left back spot, but Bolton's young right back is entering his own make-or-break season.

Very few things in life are guaranteed. Most decisions are made knowing there is a risk, and a reward for that risk. Did Dougie venture to the wrong side of that line versus Blackpool?

Bolton need a win to guarantee their playoff position. Blackpool need a win to, well, boost their self-esteem maybe? For one day, let's hope motivation is really a thing.

There was a big match in Wales today, a coronation for one side, and a possible step towards redemption for the other.

Cardiff are Champions, and the supporters will be keen to celebrate this weekend regardless of the result, but how motivated will the players be to hit the high notes leading up to the coronation ceremonies after the match against Bolton?

Darren Pratley and Medo Kamara are doing a fine job in central midfield, but returns to form and fitness could leave Dougie Freedman with a selection headache over the next few weeks.

The fight for the playoffs is very tight, and it is win or go home for these two sides today. Boro are a long shot, and a loss mathematically eliminates them. Bolton are in better shape, but still need help elsewhere.

Seventh meets tenth at the Reebok this weekend with both sides still holding on to (slim) hopes of promotion.

It's a massive midweek clash with a playoff spot in the line!

Bolton scored early and late to win away from home for the fourth time this season and move into the playoff spots with only four matches to go.

City are fighting relegation and Wanderers are fighting promotion in what will be a full-blooded affair at Ashton Gate. With only five matches left, a loss of the battle for either side leaves them unlikely to win the war at the end of the season.

As Bolton come into the business end of the season they are deep in the battle for playoff positions. Two things are critical, goals and defensive commitment. Might Dougie Freedman's preferred frontline provide both?

The playoff spots are four points away, and Bolton have won six straight at home. As a grumpy Scot once said, "It's squeaky bum time."

They may be at opposite ends of the table, but both of these clubs are coming off losses and desperate for results.

Bolton starting out like a house-on-fire today, taking a 2-0 lead in the first twenty minutes. Unfortunately, Charlton pulled one back before half time, then got two more from a disastrous red-card-goal-penalty sequence in the second half.

Bolton were the better side for 90 minutes, but a very late goal from Carlos Edwards gave Ipswich Town a vital 3 points.

Not exactly, but the former Bolton Wanderer and French International is dipping his toe into the New York culinary scene.

Bolton went for their fifth win in a row, welcoming the south coasters who at the beginning of the day held what the Trotters most wanted, the final playoff spot.

Bolton are on a good run, and the defense has played a big part in that. Whenever a club, especially one with a questionable defensive record, keeps a clean sheet, the MOTM short list is going to be filled with defenders.

Bolton won their third in a row Saturday at Barnsley, and despite a near meltdown just after halftime, several of the competitors for Man of the Match were on the defensive side of the ball.

Each club has only lost 1 of their last 6, and both are happy to be moving up the table. Barnsley are out of the bottom 3 at the moment, and Bolton are in the top 10 for the first time all season. One of these teams will come away with 3 points.

Last time these two sides met we saw a nine-goal thriller. This time I am sure both managers would prefer far less drama, and Dougie Freedman surely sees a good chance to get three more points on the board and an unlikely playoff run off the ground.

The performance we have been waiting for all season long! Hull City were second in the table and had won three in a row when they touched down in the Reebok this afternoon. Wanderers were quick to welcome them with less than hospitable behavior.

On the back of Wanderers 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, the lads head across the A52 to Derby, where they will encounter yet another Championship club struggling to find consistency.

Bolton visit The City Ground on the back of an impressive win, while Nottingham Forest have lost three in a row, but welcome back new (old) manager Billy Davies. Join us for discussion before, during, and after the match!

Bolton Wanderers central midfielders are finally returning to form and (more importantly) fitness. This area was a strength on paper but a weakness in practice up until recently. How much of an effect will the returners have on the club's fortunes?

It looked like another dark day at the Reebok, as Bolton were down 1-0 and the supporters were booing Dougie Freedman's second half substitutions, but the manager had the last laugh as both subs scored and Bolton came away with a 2--1 victory.

It wasn't too long ago that Wanderers were known primarily as a defensive football club. A grind-it-out side who were "tough to play against." This is a distant memory to supporters. What has gone wrong, and more important, can it be fixed?

Hornets manager Gianfranco Zola has Watford riding high, fourth in the Championship, but old boy Marvin Sordell and Bolton will come into Vicarage Road believing they can take three points and finally get their own promotion push underway.

Bolton were the better side but Everton steal it very late. Despite all that, a spirited home return from Stuart Holden will have supporters smiling.