bwfc.co.uk previews Saturday's clash with the Bantams at Macron Stadium
Wanderers host Bradford City on Saturday as Phil Parkinson faces his former club for the first time since making the move to Macron Stadium. Eager to return to winning ways following last week's maiden defeat to Walsall, bwfc.co.uk highlights five talking points ahead of this weekend's game.
1. The Gaffer
An obvious starting point, Wanderers' clashes with Bradford City were always going to be highly anticipated after manager Phil Parkinson joined the Whites following five successful seasons with the Bantams at Valley Parade.
Enjoying a positive start to life at Macron Stadium, Parkinson was named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for August in recognition of Bolton's efforts during the opening weeks of the campaign.
The Trotters currently sit two places and one point clear of the Bantams in second in the table, and Parkinson will be eager to get one over on his former employers as Wanderers look to maintain their early-season form.
2. Jamie Proctor and Tom Thorpe
Like the gaffer, Saturday's game also marks the first time Jamie Proctor and Tom Thorpe will get the chance to line up against their former side having both finished last season at Valley Parade.
The forward scored six goals from 20 appearances after joining the Bantams last January, while the former Manchester United graduate featured four times for Bradford after signing on loan from Rotherham United back in March.
Having scored his first Wanderers goal against Blackpool last month, Proctor will be eager to add to his tally as he looks to open his league account for the club, while Thorpe has one substitute appearance to his name so far after joining the club on deadline day.
What are the odds on the duo making their mark against their former employers on Saturday?
3. Zach Clough and Jay Spearing
Saturday's game will also see Zach Clough and Jay Spearing both eager to return to the thick of action.
Having seen injury disrupt his start to the season, Clough made his return as a half-time substitute against Walsall last weekend and could be in line for his first appearance at Macron Stadium since last month's victory over Fleetwood Town.
Spearing meanwhile missed last week's defeat to the Saddlers through suspension with his absence firmly felt at the Banks's Stadium, and looks set to make an immediate return to captain the Whites against the Bantams.
As Wanderers look to build on their positive start to the season, both will undoubtedly be crucial to the Whites over the coming months.
4. Big crowd and big away support
Macron Stadium is set to host its biggest crowd of the season when Bradford City come to town this weekend.
With well over 4,000 away supporters making the trip from Yorkshire to BL6, it looks certain to be a lively encounter both on and off the pitch on Saturday.
Manager Phil Parkinson called on Wanderers' supporters to once again provide an atmosphere as his side return to action in front of their home crowd.
And with the Whites faithful certain to oblige, the scene is set for a fascinating clash come 3pm on Saturday!
5. Can Wanderers return to winning ways?
Defeat to Walsall last weekend was not only Wanderers' first league defeat since the start of the season, but it also saw them slip from the top of the table having also drawn their previous League One outings.
Eager to respond this weekend having not been able to put teams to the sword in recent outings despite further positive displays, will the visit of Bradford City see the Whites return to winning ways?