Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher has said the fact they have faced Bradford City so recently has shown they can perform in their League One play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday.
Schumacher’s side initially took the lead against the Bantams through Johnny Kenny just under two weeks ago on 25 April, but Kayden Jackson struck to rescue a point for Bradford.
Advertisement
The forthcoming tie was set up after Bolton’s defeat by Luton on the final day of the season, while Bradford finished fourth and a place above them by virtue of beating Exeter.
“We’ve been to Bradford only two weeks ago, so we’ve proved that we can go there and perform and perform well,” Schumacher told BBC Radio Manchester
“If we can get ourselves an advantage in the home leg, then we’re confident we can go there and get the result that we need.”
Bolton come into the fixture off the back of a three-game winless run at the end of the 2025-26 regular campaign.
Schumacher’s side won just twice in their final 10 games as they finished in the play-off places by just a point and above sixth-placed Stevenage on goal difference.
Advertisement
“I think every game’s intense, I don’t think there’s been one this year where I can sit back and relax,” he added.
“I’m sure it will be no different on Saturday and next week. It’s two teams that are desperate to win it, they know what the ultimate prize is, the trip to Wembley to get yourself in a Championship.”
Bolton have conceded seven goals in their past three games, including three in their defeat by Luton last weekend and three in their 3-3 draw with Huddersfield earlier in April.
When asked if he was disappointed by their defensive efforts this campaign, defender Chris Forino said that their fifth-placed finish speaks for itself.
Advertisement
“It’s got us into the play-offs,” Forino told BBC Radio Manchester.
“Both [with] the amount of goals scored and the amount of goals we’ve conceded, we are in a position to achieve the goal that we set out to achieve at the start of season.”
From January to March, Bolton put together an 11-game unbeaten run as they looked in good shape to finish in third, however their form tailed off towards the end of the campaign.
When asked if there was any nervous tension around facing Bradford on Saturday (20:00 BST), Forino added: “I can only speak for myself, but no. I think it’s not nerves, it’s excitement.
Advertisement
“I think you want to play in games like this, games where there’s something on the line. I’m excited.”
Read the full article here