Bolton sure to could be reper
Although it’s still only September, Sunderland make their fifth visit to the North West this season on Saturday when they visit Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton are invariably described by media types as “hapless”. While this isn’t the most imaginative adjective, there is no denying they have little to offer by way of hap these days.
This is due largely to the appalling incompetence of their previous owner (the simple words “fit and proper” can seem incomprehensible in football).
As a result of a 12-point deduction for entering administration following an unpaid tax bill, they were virtually relegated before a ball had been kicked.
This is awful to endure for any club, let alone one that has spent 73 seasons in the top flight, including 11 consecutive Premier League campaigns (one more than Sunderland ever managed).
After spending zero on new players, they have accrued one point from 18 so far this season and haven’t won in six months.
They really make you think what might have happened to Sunderland not long ago, had things not changed for the better.
Bolton’s one grain of optimism comes from new ownership. But is seems highly unlikely that things won’t get worse before they get better. They also have a new manager, Keith Hill, who upon taking charge last month professed it to be his “dream job”.
Presumably this expression was used to reflect his love of the club; otherwise he would be frightened to fall asleep.
The plight of a great old club like Bolton or, worse still, Bury is both saddening and gladdening. Saddening for obvious reasons. Gladdening because it isn’t Sunderland.
(On a completely unrelated, unconnected, disassociated, random passing thought and non sequitur; does anyone know how Martin Bain is doing these days?)
So what chance do Sunderland have at Bolton?
Let’s not pretend otherwise; they have every chance under the circumstances. It would be disingenuous to say Sunderland aren’t expected to w c
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