OUR relatively hassle-free coach journey down the motorways was briefly threatened by a police rolling roadblock to allow a piece of unwanted debris to be cleared from the road near the start of the M6 Toll.

Thankfully this only lasted a few minutes and we ploughed on and managed to crack the code of roundabouts to locate the Stadium MK. For the record, the minimum solution is nine roundabouts.

The nearest traditional pub to Stadium MK is not within reasonable hiking distance at over 26 minutes but the stadium does have excellent catering opportunities being surrounded by many of the popular modern chain restaurants. I went for the Classic Pollo Ad Astra at Pizza Express, washed down with some Peroni Nastro Azzuri. This proved to be an excellent choice and unfortunately the highlight of the day.

Although MK Dons have been showing signs of a recovery themselves recently, hopes were high that we could start our own recovery and get something against a team also lurking in the relegation zone. We were boosted by the return of Ali Crawford and Jacob Mellis.

It turned out to be a dour match between two teams lacking confidence but determined not to lose.

It was decided in all-too familiar circumstances when, just after Daryl Murphy narrowly missed our best chance and we then lost the ball in midfield and they cashed in on it.

If our chance had gone in, then it would have been a different story but that is what happens when you’re struggling.

The fans are still turning out in numbers backing the Wanderers despite the award of the worst away team of the past decade and our solid start in 2020 to retain it for this decade.

The euphoria of surviving as a football club is beginning to wear a bit thin now as the realities of the recovery tasks ahead sink in. A tremendous amount of patience and hard work will be required by everyone involved with Bolton Wanderers as the “Impossible Dream” has proved to be impossible.

We need to start showing some signs of progress on the field to give us some hope that next season will not be another relegation battle.

Unfortunately, the fans frustration is causing some unpleasant confrontations between Bolton fans who all have Wanderers in their hearts. We need unity more than ever to get us through these tough times.