With the 2021/22 campaign underway in just under three weeks, in a six-part feature we are taking a closer look at each of the 23 teams that Wanderers will come up against during the coming season.
FLEETWOOD TOWN
Preparing for their eighth season in League One, the Cod Army will take to the field in August under the guidance of Simon Grayson. The former Blackpool and Leeds United boss heads into his first full season in charge following the mid-season departure of Joey Barton last term.
Town will have been disappointed with the direction that last season ultimately went in but they will be hoping to re-group, strengthen and have a pop at reaching the top six. Wanderers will finally get the chance to return to Highbury Stadium for the first time since a memorable 4-2 win there en route to promotion in 2017.
Last Season’s finish: 15th in Sky Bet League One
Key Player: Callum Camps
Promotion Odds: 12/1
Last Meeting: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Fleetwood Town [2nd November 2019 – League One]
GILLINGHAM
Gillingham certainly seem to be moving in the right direction under Steve Evans’ management and only missed out on last season’s play-offs by seven points.
The Kent club will be looking to close that gap despite likely having a far smaller budget than the likes of Sunderland, Wigan, and Sheffield Wednesday. One thing the Gills will need to do is find a capable replacement for Jordan Graham – last season’s star man completed a move to Birmingham City earlier in the summer.
Last Season’s finish: 10th in Sky Bet League One
Key Player: Vadaine Oliver
Promotion Odds: 12/1
Last Meeting: Gillingham 5-0 Bolton Wanderers [31st August 2019 – League One]
IPSWICH TOWN
Highly fancied for promotion this season, Town have a serial promotion winner in charge in the form of Paul Cook and he has been back to build a squad capable of pushing for honours come May.
The likes of Vaclav Hladky, Lee Evans, Scott Fraser, and Macauley Bonne have been recruited and heading into their third consecutive season in the third tier, many believe it will be lucky number three for the Tractorboys.
Last Season’s finish: 9th in Sky Bet League One
Key Player: Scott Fraser
Promotion Odds: 11/4
Last Meeting: Bolton Wanderers 0-5 Ipswich Town [24th August 2019 – League One]
LINCOLN CITY
Missing out on promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in the Play-Off Final last season with defeat to Blackpool, Lincoln are fancied to pick themselves up and challenge for honors once again.
The world of football wishes Imps boss Michael Appleton the best of luck as he undergoes surgery following a testicular cancer diagnosis. It remains to be seen how long Lincoln will be without their boss in the dugout, but the club possesses a squad of players capable of doing him proud from the sidelines.
Last Season’s finish: 5th in Sky Bet League One
Key Player: Liam Bridcutt
Promotion Odds: 4/1
Last Meeting: Lincoln City 5-1 Bolton Wanderers [14th January 2020 – League One]