Bolton Wanderers take on Wigan Athletic in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 1 December. With that said, bwfc.co.uk have produced five things to take into this weekend’s local derby clash.
1. Squad Update
During Friday’s press conference in preview on the Wigan Athletic home derby clash, manager Phil Parkinson spoke to bwfc.co.uk and gave an update on the squad.
Parkinson said: “We're generally okay. (Josh) Magennis came off against Millwall with a dead leg and I thought he played well in that game. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and we went with him at Sheffield Wednesday, but he wasn't quite right.''
At this level you've got to be right to play, and we've got to be 100% sure of his fitness for him to even be in the 18-man squad this weekend, because it's going to be a full-on, competitive game. We've got to make sure that the eleven we pick, are ready to go.”
2. A Game to Remember
In November 2014, Wanderers welcomed the Latics to the University of Bolton Stadium in a Sky Bet Championship clash.
Then manager Neil Lennon’s side ran out 3-1 winners, with Max Clayton, Craig Davies and a Lee Chung-Yong penalty seeing Wanderers sail into a 3-0 lead just past the hour mark.
Callum McManaman scored a consolation goal with 11 minutes to go in the game and to see the short highlights of the memorable match, click on the video below!
3. The Boss - Paul Cook
Following a 23-year playing career, which saw Cook make just under 600 league appearances from a total of nine different team, the current Latics boss took over as Southport boss in June 2006.
Following a short spell at the Sandgrounders, he took the role as Sligo Rovers manager in the League of Ireland.
He got Rovers into the UEFA Cup during his tenure with them, despite financial issues rising throughout his reign.
Along with this, he managed to win back-to-back FAI Cup Finals (2010, 2011).
With spells at Accrington Stanley and Chesterfield coming after this, Cook then found himself in charge of Portsmouth in Sky Bet League Two in May 2015.
During his two-year stint at Pompey, Cook managed the team to a Sky Bet League Two title on 6 May 2017.
Towards the end of the same month, Cook left his role at Pompey to join the Latics and went on to earn promotion with the Northwest club to the Sky Bet Championship in 2017/18.
4. New Faces at The DW Stadium
In the summer transfer window brought in a couple of new names to The DW Stadium to bolster their squad.
Midfielder Josh Windass joined the ranks at Wigan from Scottish giants Rangers.
Prior to playing in the Scottish Premiership with the Gers, Windass has prior experience playing in England with then League Two side Accrington Stanley.
In the 2015/16 season with Stanley, Windass finished second top goal scorer behind Billy Kee with a total of 17 goals.
Looking at the back and Cédric Kipré joined from Motherwell on a permanent basis.
The Ivorian youth international started his career in the Paris Saint-Germain youth academy, before joining Leicester City in 2014 and spent three years at the King Power Stadium.
A face that was familiar to Latics’ fans who joined the ranks was winger Callum McManaman.
He initially came through the youth ranks at Wigan, becoming the youngest ever player to play for the club in the Premier League and represented England Under-20s at their World Cup in 2011.
In the 2012/13 F.A Cup Final against Manchester City, McManaman was named man of the match as Wigan beat the Citizens 1-0 at Wembley to claim the trophy.
On another note, a name that will be familiar to Wanderers fans is left back Antonee Robinson.
The American international spent the 2017/18 season on loan at the University of Bolton Stadium from his parent club Everton.
He was a pivotal member of the side that avoided relegation from the Sky Bet Championship on the final day of the season against Nottingham Forest.
5. Tickets are still available!
Bolton Wanderers are back in action at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday 1 December when we take on neighbours Wigan Athletic at 3pm.
Phil Parkinson’s men will be looking to start a busy month of fixtures with the maximum points against our local rivals.
Buy your tickets now and print them at home to save queuing up on match day.
Be our twelfth man, get behind the lads and let’s get the University of Bolton Stadium rocking as we take on the Latics.
Tickets are available by clicking here or in person at Bolton Central and are priced from:
Adults: £30
Over-65s: £25
Under-23s: £25
Under-18s: £12
Under-12s: £10 (must be accompanied by an adult)
Why not sample some of our award-winning hospitality for this Sky Bet Championship encounter?
From just £95 per person (inc VAT) you can view the game from our stunning Lion Of Vienna Suite. The package includes a one-course meal, match day programme and a cushioned seat on the halfway line of the Nat Lofthouse Stand Upper Tier.
You can book your place online by calling 01204 673761, or by emailing sales@bwfc.co.uk for more information.
For further details on any of our hospitality packages and sponsorship and advertising opportunities please contact our Sales Team on 01204 673761 or email sales@bwfc.co.uk.
We look forward to seeing you at the University of Bolton Stadium this Saturday.