bwfc.co.uk previews Wanderers’ upcoming trip to the Priestfield Stadium
As Wanderers prepare to travel to 16th place Gillingham, bwfc.co.uk highlights five talking points ahead of the Whites’ next Sky Bet League One fixture.
1. Adam Le Fondre
Returning to BL6 in January, Alfie promised us he'd score goals and he certainly delivered last weekend.
The forward opened the scoring with a looping strike that left Cairns stranded, before doubling his tally with a delightful header.
Le Fondre has noted a number of times how he is still chasing his match fitness, however, with his confidence now boosted by his brace, could we see the 30-year-old score in successive games?
2.Double over Gillingham
As we travel south to Kent, Phil Parkinson will be looking to complete a league double over the Gills having beat them 4-0 earlier in the season.
In front of the Sky cameras back in December, the Whites put in one of the performances of the season thanks to goals from Josh Vela, Sammy Ameobi and a brace from Gary Madine.
In fact, the last time Wanderers completed the league double over Gillingham came in 1989 where under the stewardship of Phil Neal.
3. Return of Chris Long
Having arrived on loan from Burnley in January, Chris Long has had a hit and miss start to his Bolton career.
In his second game for the Club the forward scored his first goal in a Bolton shirt during the 4-1 win over Walsall, unfortunately, Long would suffer an injury in the 1-0 win over Rochdale the following Tuesday and subsequently missed both the Bradford and Sheffield United fixtures.
Upon his return against Bristol Rovers, he was sent off in the dying embers of the game forcing him to sit out of the draw against AFC Wimbledon and the win over Fleetwood. Having served his suspension the 22-year-old now gives Phil Parkinson another attacking option to use.
Could Long score his second goal on Tuesday night?
4. Tuesday Night League success
Tuesday’s encounter against Gillingham will be our ninth Sky Bet League One fixture that has taken place under the lights this season.
We’ve produced the goods during the night games too, winning seven of the nine games. The latest midweek fixture saw Parkinson’s side take on Bristol Rovers with the sides sharing the spoils.
That result means Parkinson’s side are now unbeaten in their last six, evening league games, stretching back to the 18th October.
5. Happy hunting down South
Tomorrow will see Wanderers travel to the South for the tenth time in the league this season, and we’ve more than enjoyed our away days to the other side of the divide!
Having not won away from home for over a year, the Whites ended that unwanted record at the first time of asking this season with a 2-1 away at AFC Wimbledon.
The Whites have also beaten Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town, Millwall and Northampton Town on the road and have lost just one of their previous nine outings down south.
Now facing Gillingham, they will be eager to ensure this good run continues come 9.45pm on Tuesday!