First clean sheet but no shots on target - talking points from Bolton Wanderers' draw against Grimsby Town

The Trotters go into the game unbeaten in their last two outings in the league, courtesy of an away victory against Harrogate Town and a first clean sheet of the season last time out in the draw against Grimsby Town.

Wanderers were among the pre-season favourites for the title according to the bookmakers before a ball was kicked in anger. But the Trotters began the league campaign with three successive losses against Forest Green Rovers, Colchester United and Newport County.Bolton's form in League Two has picked up of late having taken four points from the last six on offer.

Salford City, Forest Green Rovers and Carlisle United. And the two sides which occupy the drop zone at present include Grimsby Town and Oldham Athletic, though the Mariners are in action this evening against Cheltenham, while Walsall take on Leyton Orient.

The Trotters played out a goalless draw against the Mariners on Saturday as neither side was able to break the deadlock at the University of Bolton Stadium. But Wanderers did pick up their first clean sheet of the season over the weekend.

both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. Ali Crawford's first half free kick was among the closest Bolton came to breaking the deadlock in a match where Wanderers failed to register a shot on target.

were postponed after a player returned a positive test for coronavirus and the Mariners squad and management staff self-isolating as a result. But Holloway's side dug in against Wanderers and earned a point in the goalless draw.

straight to your inbox every day, freeBolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt felt he didn't see enough desire to win at all costs from his side against Grimsby Town. Wanderers picked up their first clean sheet of the season against the Mariners but were unable to break the deadlock against Ian Holloway's side.

Wanderers are now unbeaten in their last two League Two fixtures and have picked up their first clean sheet of the campaign. After the match, Wanderers head coach Ian Evatt spoke to the press and here's the highlights of what he had to say.Initial reaction?“It’s frustrating.

Billy Crellin - 5Didn't have a save of note to make in either half as neither side had a shot on target.Ryan Delaney - 6A little shaky at times but drove forward from the back at times to aid attacks and was not afraid to go in for a challenge.Ricardo Almeida Santos - 7 Suits playing in the middle of a back three and looked assured defensively and winning aerial duels. Playing with confidence on the ball and was Wanderers' best centre defender.

The Trotters made nine changes from midweek for the game against the Mariners, where only Ryan Delaney and Billy Crellin kept their places.

The Trotters take on the Mariners at the University of Bolton Stadium and Ian Evatt's side will be aiming to build on their victory last weekend against Harrogate Town.

Bolton's League Two victory over Harrogate Town last weekend with suspected ankle joint damage and had not been expected back before Christmas.The 24-year-old has had both MRI and CT scans this week and seen a specialist to ascertain the severity of the injury.

Wanderers fan made his first team debut last year for Bolton after coming off the bench in the defeat to Gillingham in League One. The Academy product played his first game of the 2020/21 season under new Bolton head coach Ian Evatt in the EFL Trophy loss yesterday to Shrewsbury Town.

Promising from the youngsters who were given a chance Ian Evatt said in the run-up to the game against Shrewsbury Town that he would be giving opportunities to Wanderers' younger players to showcase their talents and give him food for thought ahead of Saturday's League Two clash against Grimsby Town.

Strikers off the mark at long lastInevitably there will always be an expectation and a focus on a striker who has scored 25 goals in the previous campaign to become the league's top scorer. Eoin Doyle had previously had only one shot on target in his first three League Two games for Wanderers and Ian Evatt has said in the past that both the striker and the team needed him to find the back of the net to lift both parties.

Wanderers got their first points of the campaign yesterday when they triumphed on the road against Harrogate Town at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.Goals from Eoin Doyle and Nathan Delfouneso were enough to give Wanderers three points and the club's first win under new head coach Ian Evatt, though Calvin Miller halved the deficit in the second half.Wanderers returned to a back three against Harrogate, with Santos playing centrally and Ryan Delaney on the left and youngster Harry Brockbank on the

Wanderers got their first points of the campaign yesterday when they triumphed on the road against Harrogate Town at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.

Wanderers have made a losing start to life in League Two, having tasted defeat in all three matches played so far in the division. Losses against Forest Green Rovers and Colchester United have been followed by defeat last time out against Newport County.The start made to the season has left Wanderers 22nd in League Two, only above Grimsby Town and Southend United.