Bolton Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman says his side are desperate to get their SkyBet Championship season off to a flyer at Watford.
Trotters fans will be hoping for a stronger start than last season which saw them lose four of their first six games, and saw them eventually limp home to finish in a lacklustre 14th place, and a relatively poor showing in both domestic cup competitions.
Freedman, in his second full season at the helm, was in buoyant mood this week following an encouraging preseason that saw his side score some positive results, including a credible draw against Danish outfit Bronby.
The Scot told the club website: “We are really looking forward to the Watford game. We are desperate for the season to start now.
“We have been playing a couple of different formations throughout pre-season and our players are right up to speed.”
The trip to Vicarage Road will be a good acid test for any ambitions Wanderers have this season, with a strongly tipped Watford having recruited heavily over the summer under the guidance of Italian Beppe Sannino, bringing in a total of 11 players.
Heurelho Gomes, Craig Cathcart and former Bolton midfielder Keith Andrews, have all joined the Hornets’ ranks.
Freedman confirmed an almost full squad would be available with doubts only lingering over Mark Davies.
He said: “It is always an exciting time and it should be a good game against a good team come the weekend.
“I think we will be tactically set-up and organised to make sure Watford don’t see a lot of the ball and to eliminate their chances, while surprising one or two people with what we’ve got.”
The Bolton boss also reiterated his desire to add to his own ranks, with Wanderers having found the transfer market tough going over the summer months.
“We know we need three more attacking options, but at this moment the timing is not quite right to get them in.
“We’re being dictated to at the moment. I still believe there is some quality out there and we will wait until it becomes available. When that happens, we’ll be ready to make our move.”
Image courtesy of Bolton Wanderers via YouTube, with thanks.