'It’s a crying shame' - Sam Allardyce and Kevin Nolan drop Bolton Wanderers claim | OneFootball

The pair have been discussing the Trotters' promotion chances ahead of their play-off semi-final second leg with Bradford City.

Bolton Wanderers still have plenty of work to do to reach the League One play-off final, but they have given themselves every chance of doing so.

Steven Schumacher's side secured a 1-0 victory over Bradford City on home soil courtesy of an Amario Cozier-Duberry goal, and if they can get over the line, then they would face either Stockport County or Stevenage Borough at Wembley Stadium for a shot at promotion.

The Trotters have been here before, though, and will not want to get carried away as they were knocked out in the play-offs in 2023 and 2024, having reached the final in the latter.

Two men who will have a close eye on proceedings are Sam Allardyce and Kevin Nolan, who have been speaking about Bolton's chances.

Sam Allardyce discusses Bolton Wanderers' promotion chances

Allardyce and Nolan are two of Bolton's most prominent symbols from their time in the Premier League, with the latter captaining the former's side during his time at the Reebok Stadium.

During their time at the club, they guided the Trotters to four consecutive top-10 finishes while they qualified for the UEFA Cup on two occasions.

Since then, the club have been on a downward spiral, but having been relegated to League Two in 2020, they are now two games away from returning to the second tier.

"It’s had to be a patient three seasons since they got back in there [the play-offs]," Allardyce said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast. "Lost in the play-offs, and now they’ve got the opportunity to get to the playoff final."

He then went on to state why he believes manager Steven Schumacher is better poised to take the club to the Championship over former boss Ian Evatt.

"New manager seems to have stabilised them better than the previous manager. I think Schumacher, he can pick the right way to play to get through this next leg and into the final and play to win it.

"Whereas the previous manager, if I had a criticism, he had one style and one style only, and that’s why they lost to Oxford that time, and I think this one is more flexible and might give them a better chance.”

Kevin Nolan praises Sharon Brittan amid feel-good factor at Toughsheet Community Stadium

Bolton were on the brink of administration and expulsion from the EFL in 2019, but the club were taken over by Football Ventures Limited with Sharon Brittan as chairwoman.

Since the takeover, Brittan has played a significant part in building stability at the Toughsheet Stadium and reconnecting with supporters.

Of course, it has not all been plain sailing as the Trotters have missed out in two League One play-off campaigns, with supporters frustrated and desperate to climb back to the second tier and beyond.

“Listen, I hope to see them back in the Championship. It’s a crying shame seeing them where they are," Nolan said.

"But I think Sharon’s done a fantastic job from when she took over the club and everything else.

"And going back as a manager earlier in the season and everything else, it feels like the old Reebok. It feels like the old Reebok again. Crowds are there. They’d sell out, they’d take everyone to Wembley.”

While the 22,789 spectators that came to watch their clash with Bradford were not a record this term, it is a sure sign that the Trotters can come close to filling their 28,723-capacity arena soon enough.

Bolton has a mixed record in the play-offs, although it has mostly been misery for the club, having only been promoted in two of their seven play-off campaigns.

If they make it to the final, then they would face either Stockport, who they have failed to beat this season, or Stevenage, who they battered 5-1 just a month ago.

First, though, they must see off the Bantams, and if they can do that, then there will be heaps of football fans urging Bolton on, wishing the good times back in BL6.