FEW fans would argue this has been a wretched season for Wanderers thus far – spent dwelling at the foot of the table as financial and ownership issues continue to linger.

Last weekend’s defeat at Wigan Athletic might just be as bad as it gets. Or is it?

Here, we decided to examine every game Wanderers have played this season and rank them from best to worst using the input of a panel of five judges. The more squeamish reader may want to stop around the half-way mark.

The Bolton News:

BEST - 1. West Brom (A) W 2-1

It all looked so bright for Wanderers as Yanic Wildschut won It in the last minute against the recently-relegated Baggies. Josh Magennis had scored on debut too in what still stands as the benchmark away performance this season.

2. Birmingham (A) W 1-0

Arguably the most complete team performance of the season. Callum Connolly’s goal won the day but every man on the pitch did his bit.

3. Walsall (H) W 5-2

A response to the hammering at Hull. Yes this was a League One side but Josh Magennis’s hat-trick at least ensured a bit of cup romance.

4. Rotherham (H) W 2-1

A Boxing Day treat for Wanderers fans as Gary O’Neil scored his first goal in two years to claim three priceless points.

The Bolton News:

5. Derby (H) W 1-0

Craig Noone’s celebration with team-mate Stephen Darby in the stands was worth its weight in gold. Wanderers capped off an emotional week with a good win.

6. Millwall (H) W 2-1

A long-awaited win thanks to Pawel Olkowski and Gary O’Neil, even if the nerves were set jangling at the end by Lee Gregory’s consolation.

7. Reading (A) W 1-0

At that time a ‘super sub’ Yanic Wildschut struck again to put Phil Parkinson’s side into the top three. Reading maybe deserved a share of the points but that was Bolton at the time… Uncompromising.

8. Birmingham (H) W 1-0

Back-to-back wins kept the good times rolling and though there was a dispute over the goal-scorer, Magennis or Buckley, there was no doubt Wanderers could win ugly.

9. Preston (A) D 2-2

Wretched for 20 minutes but warrior-like for the next 70, Wanderers literally fought back to claim a point at Deepdale with goals from Sammy Ameobi and Pawel Olkowski.

10. Ipswich (A) D 0-0

Resolute with 10 men for an hour, there was plenty to admire about the way Parkinson’s side dug in. As an attacking spectacle, however, this game was null and void.

The Bolton News:

11. Norwich (A) L 3-2

Odd to think a defeat was one of the more encouraging days for Bolton – but this wasn’t bad at all. Ameobi sent off after he and Mark Beevers had dragged the Whites back into the game. Then Pukki’s sting in the tail.

12. Stoke (H) D 0-0

The festive fightback continued with a no frills draw at home to Stoke City. The year 2018 ended with just 10 wins in total.

13. Millwall (A) D 1-1

Victory was snatched away in the last few minutes at The Den but at least Wanderers had a goal on the board, thanks to Lions old boy Mark Beevers.

14. Bristol City (H) D 2-2

Inconsistent officiating made the fact Wanderers squandered a two-goal lead hard to bear but, let’s not forget, they actually held a two-goal lead!

15. Leeds (H) L 1-0

Wanderers matched Leeds stride for stride but their lack of cutting edge up front compared to the one fine finish provided by Patrick Bamford proved the difference.

16. Aston Villa (A) L 2-0

An exercise in containment, rather than any particular adventure, and Jack Grealish stole the show in front of the TV cameras. Wanderers were wobbling badly.

The Bolton News:

17. Rotherham (A) D 1-1

A horrible game to watch. But an ultra-direct Rotherham looked to be heading for the points until Christian Doidge produced a superb equaliser.

18. Leeds Utd (A) L 2-1 (cup)

Remembered more for Adam Le Fondre’s departure than Erhun Oztumer’s goal on debut – this was a decent enough showing for a much-changed Whites side.

19. Wigan (H) D 1-1

More cash worries were on everyone’s lips… But Will Buckley at least provided some cheer with a goal cancelled out by Will Grigg’s debatable penalty.

20. Reading (H) D 1-1

Mark Beevers grabbed a point when all looked lost. Nelson Oliveira gave a stuttering Royals the lead from the penalty spot but at last some signs of life from the Whites.

21. Leeds Utd (A) L 2-1

Wanderers fought their way back into the game through Mark Beevers and were not completely submerged, as they had been against Norwich. Alioski’s freak winner summed up their luck.

22. Swansea (A) L 2-0

Some farcical refereeing as Craig Noone and David Wheater were sent off for Wanderers, giving Swansea victory on a plate.

23. Blackburn (H) L 1-0

A derby defeat – but not the worst performance in the world. With better finishing Wanderers would have come away with something.

24. Bristol City (A) L2-1

Will Buckley had opened the scoring against the run of play but the Robins hit back with a classic sucker punch. Two goals in two minutes and it was another sinking feeling.

25. West Brom (H) L 0-2

Protests outside and inside the stadium totally overshadowed the action itself. Wanderers were not terrible but never really threatened to share the spoils.

26. Brentford (A) L1-0

If ever a side was ‘passed to death’ then it was Wanderers at Griffin Park. Neal Maupay’s goal was just reward for the Bees, in truth.

27. Middlesbrough (A) L 2-0

Wanderers frustrated Boro for long spells but were well-beaten in the end when George Saville and Britt Assombalonga netted.

28. Stoke (A) L2-0

Looked like it could have been a landslide in the first half when Martins Indi opened the scoring but Wanderers just about held it together in defence.

29. Bristol City (A) L 2-1 (cup)

The cup run was over for another year – but at least the performance of teenage midfielder Luca Connell gave us something to applaud.

30. Sheff Utd (A) L 2-0

Up to half time it was a classic away performance from Wanderers but once the seal was broken Sheffield United could have grabbed a few more in the second half.

31. Sheff Weds (A) L 1-0

Tom Lees’ header sealed a tight and uneventful game. Not the first nor the last time that Bolton were undone at a set piece – formerly their speciality.

32. Hull (H) L 1-0

Ken Anderson had said he’d take “any action necessary” to correct the slump – and fans were starting to call for Phil Parkinson’s head after a limp defeat.

33. Swansea (H) L 1-0

More missed chances and a sublime winner from Swansea’s Barrie McKay. Parkinson’s side had just forgotten how to score by this stage.

The Bolton News:

34. QPR (H) L 2-1

Played in the aftermath of Eddie Davies’s death, Wanderers just didn’t turn up until it was too late. Magennis scored again but only after the shackles had been removed.

35. Sheff Weds (H) L 2-0

Out on their feet, Bolton looked a shadow of their Millwall-selves and blew a great chance to get back into the survival mix.

The Bolton News:

36. Forest (H) L 3-0

Wanderers simply had no answer to Lewis Grabban, and not for the first time at Championship level. Very well beaten in the end.

37. Sheff Utd (H) L 3-0

The first time the wheels really fell off for Parkinson, whose side were completely outclassed by the Blades’ well-drilled midfield.

38. Preston (H) L 2-1

Home defeats against your local rivals never feel great but with the ownership issue up in the air, there was a feeling of helplessness in this result that really cut deep.

39. Norwich (H) L 4-0

Men versus boys at times. Rarely has an opposing side looked such a class above as the Canaries as they tore Parkinson’s men to shreds.

The Bolton News:

40. Hull City (A) L 6-0

Happy New Year? Not for Wanderers. Parkinson returned to his former employers to suffer another heavy defeat lacking in any sort of fortitude.

The Bolton News:

41. Wigan (A) L 5-2

Holy hand grenades, Batman. Everything that could go wrong for Wanderers at the DW Stadium did so – and set against the uncertainty of a failing takeover and court cases, this summed up the toxic mood which hangs heavily around the club at present.