24/25 Predictions - DTMR Tom

It’s that time of the year where we try and predict Bolton Wanderers’ upcoming season.

First up is DTMR Tom:

Best signing

Let's hope we haven't signed him yet. It's been an underwhelming summer of transfer activity so far, with everyone forced into excitement about a player they'd literally never heard of just a week ago.

Having a competent backup goalkeeper would have seen us promoted automatically last season, so upgrading there with the acquisition of Luke Southwood is our most important transfer to date.

Top scorer

I'm going to go with Aaron Collins in the hope that he carries his excellent form from the tail end of last season into this one.

Game I’m most looking forward to

I'm quite looking forward to the Wrexham home fixture, so that we can welcome Parky back. I still maintain that he did a tremendous job in very difficult circumstances at Bolton, and was a gentleman throughout. He deserves a warm welcome on his return.

Beyond that, it'll be nice to spank Stockport home and away, too. And we're surely due six points against that team from up t’road aren't we?

Opposing player I’d love to sign

According to their summer transfer business, I'm supposed to name half of the Birmingham team here, aren't I?

The answer would have been Harrison Burrows until his move to the Championship last week. There isn't a stand out player for me in League One just yet, but I'm sure he'll reveal himself soon enough.

For now, I'll say Kwame Poku at Peterborough. I'm not sure how he'd fit into our team, but he was electric at times for Posh last season.

Key player

It is still Rico Santos, who like it or not, is pivotal to our style of play. I hope that he (and the rest of the side for that matter) brush off the stain of that Wembley game and get back to their usual level of performance.

Predict the first 6 games

Leyton Orient (A) - D (1-1)

Wrexham (H) - D (2-2)

Charlton Athletic (A) - W (2-1)

Exeter City (H) - W (3-0)

Cambridge United (A) - W (1-0)

Huddersfield Town (H) - L (1-2)

A slow start that becomes more pleasing with 3 consecutive wins, before Huddersfield reminds us of our long standing weaknesses.

Final position

I don't know if it is the mental scars of that day in North London, but I just don't see us challenging again this season. All summer, I've said we'll finish 8th.

I can't handle another Wembley heartbreak. If we can't finish 2nd, we may as well save ourselves the money, energy, optimism and effort of the playoffs and miss it altogether.

Any other business prediction?

Wanderers sign a mid-season sponsorship deal with a Westhoughton axe-throwing experience, with targets printed on each buttock of the team shorts.

The fella sitting in front of me finally telling me to shut up as I anxiously commentate on every detail of our tactical approach at home to Mansfield.

Randy Williams to be head-hunted by the Abercrombie and Fitch marketing department.

Sam Tickle to face a record suspension from the EFL after throwing a flare back into the away end at the DW Stadium following Victor Adeboyejo’s hat trick goal in front of the travelling fans.

Keith Hill to talk bin bags each time he's asked to commentate on BBC GMR.