What to look out for ahead of the visit of the Blades to Macron Stadium
Wanderers host Sheffield United on the opening day of the 2016/17 Sky Bet League One season on Saturday. Here are five key points to look out for at Macron Stadium this weekend...
1. The football is back
Exactly 91 days after a miserable 2015/16 season came to an end, the football is back. With a new season comes new optimism and many Bolton fans across the world will be looking forward to seeing how the side will cope with life back in the third tier of English football for the first time in 24 years.
2. New era
It’s a new era for the club, both on and off the pitch. New owners Ken Anderson and Dean Holdsworth appointed a new manager in Phil Parkinson, who joined from Bradford City back in June. Parkinson brought with him a new set of backroom staff, each of whom will be working the players hard to take the club forward heading into what will hopefully be a successful 2016/17 campaign.
3. Debutants
Opening day also presents Wanderers’ six summer signings with their first chance to make their competitive Whites debuts since signing for the club. And while David Wheater might already be well at home in his ‘new’ surroundings, Mark Beevers, Lewis Buxton, Mark Howard, Jamie Proctor and Chris Taylor will all be eager to make a positive first impression in front of the Bolton faithful.
4. It should be warm!
It might be a risky game predicting the weather at any time of year at Macron Stadium, but one would hope the sun would be out for the opening game of the season. If it isn’t, just remember how cold it can often get in the dark winter months in Bolton and try and enjoy the relative moderate temperatures at this time of year.
5. Large away following
There will be a decent atmosphere inside Macron Stadium come 3pm on Saturday! Such was the demand for tickets from our Bramall Lane counterparts as their own new manager, Chris Wilder, takes charge of his side for the first time, the Blades required an extra allocation to satisfy demands. As such, Sheffield United will be backed by more than 4,300 vocal away supporters this weekend, guaranteeing a lively opening day at BL6!