Former Bolton Wanderers manager Roy McFarland has claimed that it would not be surprising to see Bolton challenge along with Derby County for a top six spot in the upcoming championship season. Bolton have been struggling in the Championship for the last two seasons after their relegation from the Premier league. They were one of the established Premier league teams after spending almost a decade in the top division. Since their relegation, they have been crippled with financial problems and mounting debts. The club have debts of more than £ 150 million, which is not helping manager Dougie Freedman to sign top class players.

Despite this, McFarland expects his former club to challenge for a promotion spot in the upcoming campaign. A good run towards the end of the season saw Bolton finish only a couple of places below the top six. Freedman will be hoping that this run continues going into the new season as well. Recently, he expressed that the club will be looking to sign players with a lot of potential. After allowing the likes of Tyrone Mears and David Ngog to leave the club in the last few months, it is expected that several new faces will be present at the club for the new season.

“Things haven’t gone well for Bolton in the last couple of years but the club is solid and it is only a matter of time before it starts heading back in the right direction. They have been at this level for a little while now and they know what is expected of them. Bolton’s is still a result I look for. I follow them with interest because I enjoyed working at the club. But I think Bolton can make the top six this time around – and then who knows after that?” said McFarland.