HAVING made the long trip down to Ipswich twice before only to experience two dreary performances in the eras of Freedman and Parkinson, I spent the week trying to temper my optimism for this visit despite Bolton’s relatively strong start to the season, writes Matt Leece.

And after some flaky defending from Wanderers in the opening 10 minutes, it looked like it might once again be a long afternoon at Portman Road, a familiar feeling for many Bolton fans.

However, Dapo Afolayan had other ideas. He is fast becoming the most exciting player Bolton have had in recent years, and he continued his excellent form with two goals either side of winning a penalty with some trickery in the box. Like many before him, Ipswich’s right back was unable to cope with his direct running in the first half, and his early replacement fared no better.

Dapo is an excellent player, and it was disgusting to learn that he had been subject to discriminatory abuse after the game in a week that has already been marred by racist abuse towards Elias Kachunga. Dapo and Elias have the full support of the Wanderers fans, and any perpetrators of this abuse must be banned from football for life and dealt with by the appropriate authorities.

Two more goals early in the second half made this match comfortable for the Whites, a feeling many Bolton fans have become unaccustomed to especially away from home. But this Bolton team continue to break the mould and have been electric at times in 2021.

We are now third in the league and can possibly feel aggrieved not to be higher after some contentious decisions on Monday night at home to Burton, and also some careless points dropped earlier in the campaign at home to MK Dons and away to Wimbledon.

At the start of the season many would have been happy with a mid-table finish but the goal now has to be the top six. This side has shown it is more than good enough to compete at the top end of this league, and the feeling is that the momentum is building in our favour.

Josh Sheehan has been a superb signing, and George Johnston and Joel Dixon look more assured with each game. Should we continue our upward trajectory, the main concern for Bolton fans will likely be keeping this squad, and in particular the manager, together for the foreseeable future.

As we enter sacking season in the Championship, it doesn’t seem unlikely that Ian Evatt’s name could be doing the rounds.

For now, though, we can look forward to next Saturday’s home fixture with Rotherham, and continue to enjoy a style of football that hasn’t been seen at the Reebok in my lifetime. Up the Whites!