ECHOSPORT chats to Bolton Wanderers fan Chris Mann (pictured above) ahead of the Trotters’ trip to Roots Hall.

What have you made of the season so far?

“We are well placed to achieve instant promotion back to the Championship. We’ve started to stutter in recent weeks though and players are starting to look jaded after their FA Cup exploits. Hopefully we’re on a minor blip and can find our form again quickly, as it looks like two from ourselves, Scunthorpe and Sheffield United will go up automatically.”

What are the hopes for the rest of the season?

“With the top three having a gap between themselves and the chasing pack - combined with us not falling lower than eighth at any stage this season - we have to target promotion. It would take a huge drop in form to miss out on the play-offs, but they have to be the fall back option. With the lottery they bring, we have to aim to go up automatically.”

How is Phil Brown viewed among the Bolton fans?

“Phil Brown is well thought of at Bolton, regardless of whether supporters remember him best as a player, coach or assistant manager. He is always welcome here, but all that goes out of the window on Saturday. He showed himself up with the public declaration of wanting to be our manager last summer, but I’m pleased to see him doing well after a rough start.”

Echo:

Bolton fan Chris Mann with former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce

Who do Blues need to keep an eye on this weekend?

“James Henry has upped his game since Sammy Ameobi’s return to Newcastle United and was also on target at Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Zach Clough probably stands out most to opposition supporters but his form has dipped recently and he looks to be in desperate need of a rest, while most of the attacking play tends to go through Gary Madine.”

What’s the team news ahead of the game?

“Mark Davies and Darren Pratley, both of whom played for Bolton during our Premier League days, have missed most of the season and look set to sit out the rest of it, which has been a huge blow on the pitch and also to our wage bill, more so with having to work under the constraints of a transfer embargo. Providing we escaped the Palace game without any injuries, Parkinson will probably look to stick with the same team.”

Predicted line-up: Alnwick, Taylor, Beevers, Wheater, Wilson, Spearing, Thorpe, Clough, Vela, Henry, Madine