Bolton Wanderers have had a bid accepted for Derry City defender Eoin Toal and a medical is expected to be conducted imminently. However one source from Derry told Bolton Nuts that Toal has an ongoing ankle problem which could prove to be a thorn in Bolton's plans to shore up their defence before the season starts.
Toal missed several games due to an ankle injury, only returning as a substitute for the Derry side just as Bolton's interest in him seemed to be hotting up. Our source in Derry says that he was rushed back into action too soon.
Indeed Toal started the next two games but had to be subbed off in the second when his ankle problem flared up yet again. Toal himself was keen to play the two legs of Derry's European matches but speculation is also that Derry allowed him to play in a bid to secure a better fee, after initially turning down an offer from the Wanderers.
It looks as though Toal is still heading to Bolton and will sign if passed fit, but nobody yet knows if he will be fit to start against Huddersfield this week, or even Ipswich for the opening day of the season.
The last thing Bolton need is another key player out for long periods, especially after last season, losing the services of Jones, John, Isgrove, Bakayoko, Santos, Sarcevic, Lee, Sheehan, Kachunga and others for varying periods of time.
Let's hope Toal gets time to recover and is fully fit before we throw him in.

Visit the forum to find out more about what the Derry boss admitted regarding the injury.

BOLTON WANDERERS have reportedly ended their chase for Fulham academy wing back, Marlon Fossey. But things might not be as simple as they appear. Another loan deal for Fossey might be just the ticket for Fossey and for the Wanderers, and here is why.
There has been plenty of speculation over the Fulham wing backs' future since his loan spell at Bolton ended last season, in fact a permanent deal was pretty much signed and sealed, just not delivered. And then Bolton turned to another wing back in the shape of Conor Bradley from Liverpool, who has joined the whites on a season long loan.
But here is the crunch, Bradley will go back to Liverpool come what may, and there is little chance that a deal for Bradley would ever become a permanent deal. This means that come next season, Bolton will again lose a key player after giving him a platform in league one.
This is where a Fossey loan, with the option to sign permanently in January (with a must sell clause, at a set price) would be magic for Bolton and for Fossey. By January, it is likely that there will be clear picture on whether Bolton are challenging for promotion, so everybody will know where they stand, and in the mean time, Fossey would undoubtedly get games under his belt, and Bolton would get another few months to keep an eye on Fossey's fitness in terms of a recurring knee issue. 
If Fossey stays fit and performs well, and Bolton are sitting pretty in the league come January - it would be win win for all parties, including Fulham, who would get a transfer fee instead of letting him leave for free a few months later.

The move would also mean that Bolton have at least half solved the problem of an outgoing Bradley at the end of this season. And hopefully with a season of Championship football to look forward to next year, an extra slice of pro football in league one for Fossey during this campaign will stand him in better stead than hanging around, achieving nothing at Fulham's academy. Plus, he already has his own song at Bolton. It would be a shame to waste it.

Evatt, it's over to you. 

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Bolton Wanderers today put an end Oxford's unbeaten run in another thrilling encounter at the Unibol Stadium with Bolton's current playing style showing a welcome resemblance to years gone by and most characteristic of the famous White Hot Years - as they were known.

In the early 90's Bolton Wanderers burst onto the scene overnight with the 2-0 demolition of Liverpool at Anfield during an FA Cup 3rd Round replay. Wanderers had all but disappeared to third and fourth tier obscurity during difficult times but were experiencing a resurgence under new manager Bruce Rioch, with his creative, attack minded approach and entertaining style. Despite being in the old Division Two (league one equivalent) Bolton were prepared to take the game to the FA Cup holders and won in style - the memory of McGinlay's soaring header living long in the Bolton consciousness. 

In 2021 the 90's revival is everywhere - from haircuts and music to fashion and home styling - and Bolton Wanderers are doing their bit to bring the magic on the pitch once again. Sure we had some good forays into the Premier League and even travelled Europe in unparalleled UEFA cup success in the noughties' but nothing matches our unassailable rise and rise during the 90's with giant killings, scintillating football and a world of possibilities as we unveiled the most spectacular football stadium in the country. Now, finally, after too many years of football certainly not coming home, Ian Evatt looks to have conjured up the perfect mix of grit and substance to be able to give any team in the land a good run for their money.

Fact. We are not solid at the back, but you know what, it only serves to enrich our enjoyment! After five end to end games of football so far this season - filled with chances, goal mouth action - and goals - no Wanderers' fan can say that the entertainment factor is anything short of breathtaking!

Today saw Wanderers' beat Oxford United 2-1 but the scoreline doesn't even begin to tell the story! The fans were witness to almost 30 attempts on goal, 35 crosses and 15 corners among numerous attacking surges, counter attacks and continuous inventive passing from both sides. And this is not an anomaly, indeed Bolton have scored 9 goals in the opening 4 league games but have also conceded 7, with two of the games ending in 3-3 draws. Every match is played at break neck speed right up until the final whistle.  

Back in November 2020 when Bolton sat just above the relegation zone in the bottom tier of English football, Ian Evatt said, "I was brought in to provide, counterattacking and attacking football with pace, intensity, tempo (and) precision" - and that is what we are seeing now.

Compare this to start of the Bruce Rioch era where Bolton were teetering just 3 points above the drop zone in the lowly old second division before suddenly turning a corner and going on a long unbeaten run. The season culminated with the Wanderers clinching promotion on the final day after winning 5 games on the trot. In the FA Cup Bolton went on to beat Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa - all Premier League teams - over the course of a couple of seasons. Bolton's strikers were bagging goals for fun and topped out at 100 goals in the league in a single season during the same spell.

Evatt's team have played out a similar story, from looking like relegation scrappers with the potential to drop out of the football league entirely, at Christmas, to going on a huge unbeaten run an hauling themselves up the league. In May a 4-1 victory against Crawley Town, with 78% possession to the whites, clinched automatic promotion on the final day of the season. Last week in the league cup, Evatt's newly promoted Bolton beat Championship outfit Barnsley who - whilst not exactly giants - finished in the playoffs earlier this year. Could this be the start of a new white hot era for the Wanderers? 

Whatever happens from here on in, as long as we continue to play with the same enthusiasm and whilst the crowds go home thoroughly entertained, I think it is finally safe to say that Bolton have turned the corner. Twelve months ago nobody would have believed that Premiership football could once again be on the horizon but it truly is (dare I say). I, for one, am relishing the prospect of pulling a big team out of the hat in an FA Cup draw - I can't wait to see if Ian Evatt's super white army can emulate the dizzy achievements of Bruce Rioch and the gang. Being true underdogs is something that Manchester United , Liverpool and Arsenal fans will never be able to experience and nothing can ever beat the feeling of real giant killing. Will Evatt, Afolayan, Doyle and Sheehan be ready to write themselves into the eternal hall of fame and bring brand new white hot moments to a new generation of Bolton fans?

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Two weeks ago, Wanderers fans were shocked when half way through our cup defeat at Elland Road, it was announced that Adam Le Fondre would be leaving the club. A new challenge awaited, as Sydney FC came calling with a fantastic opportunity for the popular striker.

A few days ago, Liam from Bolton Nuts presented me with the incredible opportunity of interviewing Le Fondre on his time at Bolton and life after BL6.

We started off by asking ALF if he had recovered yet from his 24 hour flight and acclimatised yet to being in glorious sunny Sydney.

“To be fair the transition has been real easy! Of course everyone talks about jet lag but I can safely say I hardly struggled with it! It’s always nice to go somewhere and fit in straight away and I feel like I have done so here!”

Talking of fitting in straight away, it didn’t take long for Le Fondre to make an impact at Bolton. The former Reading striker became a huge fans’ favourite with the Wanderers supporters, and even had his own chant. I asked Adam if he ever imagined he’d make such a big mark at Bolton when he had first signed.
“I would lying if said I expected that to happen” said Alfie, “but I always believed in my ability to score goals regularly, which obviously endears you to fans more! The fans were unbelievable with me!”

We then discussed his time as a member of the Wanderers squad, beginning with on the pitch matters: his favourite strike partner.
“In my first spell Cloughy and I had a great understanding and partnership which flourished. However when I came back and played with big Gaz I enjoyed that as a typical big man little man combo! If pushed for an answer I would say Cloughy, we just seemed to click with everything when we played together in training or games!”

Then onto off the pitch matters: the best and worst banter in the dressing rooms…
“Wheats – the worst banter and gear. Terrible effort! The best banter was Jem until he left! To be fair there’s a great group of lads there!!”

During just a few years of association with Bolton Wanderers, Adam has been a part of some incredible achievements. However, one in particular trumps the rest.
“I think staying up on the day tops promotion. Everyone had us relegated after Burton but we stuck in there and did it in some fashion! An amazing day I got share with my family – it was unreal!”

In response to being asked whether he might make a fourth return to Bolton, in either a playing or non-playing capacity, Le Fondre replied “never say never in football! Who knows?”

Finally, ALF left a message to the Wanderers fans, saying “I just to thank them for their unwavering support for me throughout my time there! Great bunch apart from Wes!”

So there you have it. I’m sure you can all join me in thanking Adam for his time here and service as a Wanderers player. No matter what the circumstances, it was clear that he always gave his all for the club, and was a real hero for us on many occasions. We wish Adam and his family all the very best for their new life in Australia.
​
I’d like to also thank Liam and the team at Bolton Nuts for setting up this interview.

Interview brought to you by Wanderers Station http://www.wanderers-station.com in partnership with Bolton Nuts Forum forum.boltonnuts.co.uk. 

The original article can also be viewed here: wanderers-station.com/2018/08/28/adam-le-fondre-the-exclusive-interview/