Football Season Guide

The Championship

England

The Championship

2013/2014

Bolton Wanderers

In

Robert Hall (mid) (West Ham), Conor Wilkinson (att) (Millwall), Alex Baptiste (def) (Blackpool), Gary Fraser (mid) (Hamilton), Marc Tierney (def) (Norwich City), Hayden White (def) (Sheffield Wednesday), Jermaine Beckford (att) (Leicester City)

Out

Marcos Alonso (r)(def) (Fiorentina), Kevin Davies (sp)(att) (Preston North End), Rob Lainton (gk) (Bury), Sam Ricketts (sp)(def) (Wolves), Gary Fraser (mid) (Partick Thistle - on loan), Joe McKee (mid) (Greenock Morton), Jack Sampson (att) (Morecambe)

Bolton Wanderers narrowly missed out on a playoff place on the final day of the 2012/13 campaign. The Trotters were rejuvenated by the arrival of new boss, Dougie Freedman, who took a little time to assess the squad and breathe new life into it since relegation from the top flight. A fine run of consecutive home victories saw Wanderers storm into playoff contention in the final furlong of last term, but eventually fell short of their goal. Nevertheless, Freedman is one of the most talented and tactically-aware managers in the Championship and subsequently Bolton will surely be there or thereabouts again challenging for a top six place. Striker, Jermaine Beckford has arrived to provide additional firepower to cover the departing legend, Kevin Davies. Experienced defenders, Alex Baptiste and Marc Tierney should also improve their backbone.

Target

A top six tilt with parachute payments on their side.