Episode 13, unlucky for some. Hopefully not for us.

We are in a very good league position upon our return to the Premier League. The mission of staying up, could be about to become the mission to get into Europe IF, and it’s a gigantic IF we keep our form going.

Bolton Wanderers are back in the big time. Back in the Premier League, and we can start to dream about replicating Sir Alex.

We have 25 seasons to win the following:

There’s a feeling of positivity around the place. The last update was an unbeaten run. We are 9 points clear of 3rd place with 15 league matches to go. This will either be a glorious piece that ends in an orgy of self congratulation and Premier League football, or one of the biggest bottle jobs since Kevin Keegan told the world he would love it.

The curse, remember the curse.

We’ve all made it to episode 10. Double Figures. Amazing.

I’m amazed Bolton still pay my wages quite frankly. I got them relegated and then struggled in the 1st Division. But this year has started better.

We’ve made zero progress, but at least things can’t get any worse… right???

The Start of Season 4

A small amount of changes.

Keith Branagan has retired so we need a new first choice keeper. That position has been filled with David James, the one time Liverpool keeper has been at Division Two Cardiff for the past 12 months. He’ll either be a steal or a hapless horror show.

Isiah Rankin joined on a perm deal for £925k, after 21 goals in 25 games I think we can all agree he wont score in the next 40. Also joining are veteran Slaven Bilic – replaces Stephane Henchoz whose work permit has expired, and Schoolboy Jermaine Dobson. Dobson is a striker, and we are all quite excited.

Today’s episode will see the end of the 3rd Season of this challenge where we try and beat Sir Alex’s achievements. We are with Bolton Wanderers, and it’s safe to say we have not really got started yet.

Achievements to date:

Yep…

Believe me.. I know!

Recap…

After the excitement of winning a manager of the month award, we’ve hit a little bit of patchy form where winning games is proving elusive, to be fair we are not losing. But drawing games does not get you promoted.

QPR are top of the table and are no match for our stuttering heroes.

The bitter tears of relegation have nearly dried, it’s time to bounce back and get back into the Premier League as quickly as possible.

We are two years into the challenge and we have another 27 left (end of 2025/26) and in that time we have to achieve the following:

We are trying to replicate what Sir Alex Ferguson did at Man United, we are at Bolton and we are rooted to the bottom of the table. 10 points from safety and there is only 14 games left. “Baldrick, this is a crisis..”

Our season will end in this episode. Whether it ends after game week 38 or with a short one-sided conversation with the Bolton hierarchy, we are about to find out.

Very tough test first time out. Away at Blackburn who sit in 2nd. At least it’ll be a quick drive back. We have a positive. Anelka is off the mark.

Recap…

We are trying to replicate what Sir Alex Ferguson did at Man United, we are at Bolton and sit 20th in the Premier League at the end of October. We’ve been in the role for just under a year and it’s fair to say it’s been a struggle.

We are in desperate need of a striker or two, and have a shade over £5m to make that happen.

Let’s see who turns us down this week..

Jamie Pollock is too casual on the ball.. Steve Flack makes full use of the opportunity. We squander chances and fall to a defeat.