The Game
Argyle v Bolton Wanderers. Good Friday, 3 April. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Bolton lost their opening game of the season, won their second – against Argyle – and then became draw specialists, drawing five of their next six. After two wins and two draws, Bolton took off in mid-October, having a run of seven unbeaten, five of them wins.
A defeat at Wycombe on 20 December halted that, and although Bolton won at home to Rotherham on Boxing Day, they got just two points from their next four games.
However, they were about to embark on another excellent run, winning five and drawing one of their next six. The Trotters were unbeaten in a further seven games, although five of those were draws. Last time out, they surprisingly lost 1-0 at Port Vale.
It means Bolton sit third, with 66 points from 39 games. They are 11 points behind second-placed Cardiff. Bolton’s home record – 12 wins, six draws, only one defeat – has seen them yield 42 points from 19 games. On the road they have been less fluent, although still; hard to beat. Away from home, their record is played 20, won five, drawn nine, lost six.
The Gaffer
Steven Schumacher needs little introduction to Argyle fans. He arrived at Home Park as Ryan Lowe’s assistant manager in June 2019, and was part of the promotion in 2019/20, from League Two.
In December 2021, Lowe left for Preston, with Schumacher taking over, his first managerial role. In the 2022/23 season, Schumacher presided over Argyle’s superb promotion from League One, as the Pilgrims won the title, earning 101 points.
The following season, with Argyle making a strong fist of it in the Championship, Schumacher left for Stoke City, almost exactly two years after becoming Pilgrims boss. At Stoke, he kept the Potters up when relegation looked likely, but Stoke sacked him early the following season. He took the Bolton job in January 2025.
The Squad
Having started 38 of the 39 league games this season, no-one has played more minutes for Bolton than George Johnston (below). The 27-year-old defender was an apprentice at Liverpool, but found himself making his professional start at Feyenoord, in the Netherlands. After a loan at Wigan Athletic in 2021, he signed for Bolton permanently, where he has been ever since, making 182 appearances and counting. He typically plays in the centre of defence, but can also play at left-back.
Forward Sam Dalby is in excellent form. His 36 league appearances since joining from Wrexham have been evenly split between starts and coming from the bench, but he has regularly been playing 90 minutes of late. The 26-year-old, who has also played for Southend United and Dundee United, has seven goals in his last 11 games.
Bolton are captained by Eoin Toal. His most recent game was a start for Northern Ireland, alongside Argyle’s Conor Hazard, against Wales on Tuesday night. Toal, 27, is approaching 150 games for Bolton since arriving from Derry City in 2022. He scored against Argyle when the sides met earlier this season.
Earlier This Season
In the second game of the Sky Bet League One season, Bolton were comfortable 2-0 winners. Eoin Toal’s goal on 20 minutes, and Mason Burstow’s on the hour, were enough for the Trotters to get their first win of the season.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin at 2pm, with Aaron Cusack and Erin Black building up to the match, before commentary of the game comes from Charlie Price and Marc Edworthy.
Match passes to watch this game on Argyle TV are available overseas. CLICK HERE for more information.
