Following a 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town last week, Bolton Wanderers approached their second-to-last game against Port Vale knowing that their hopes for automatic promotion relied on a significant swing in goal difference between them and Derby County. Hosting a struggling Vale team, Bolton had the opportunity to secure a high-scoring victory, but their lack of urgency was evident.
Despite taking the lead in the 72nd minute through Aaron Collins, the subsequent play lacked the intensity needed to mount pressure on Derby. Even after Cameron Jerome’s stoppage-time goal, the overall performance left fans frustrated with the team’s seemingly complacent approach.
While it would have been a challenge to surpass Derby in the promotion race, there was a sense of resignation in Bolton’s demeanor. Some speculate that Bolton’s strategy resembled a cricket team extending a run chase, waiting for their opponents to falter. However, this perspective is viewed as overly optimistic, with many attributing Bolton’s approach to manager Ian Evatt’s apparent contentment with a comfortable victory rather than a push for more goals.
Evatt’s recent comments, downplaying Bolton’s promotion chances after the draw with Shrewsbury, reinforce this notion. Despite still being in contention, Bolton’s fate now rests on the final weekend’s results. Their failure to maintain a relentless pursuit could prove costly if they miss out on automatic promotion by a narrow margin, providing a boost for Derby as they head into the last matchday.
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