Bolton might only be three points adrift of safety, but for their fans it seems an awfully long way back to the Championship survival places.

They've won just one league match since the end of September and their form from that time to now is worse than bottom side Ipswich.

They started well and even climbed into the top ten, but they've collapsed in a heap and look destined for the drop.

There's little good news coming out of the club right now, whether it was the controversial return of Christian Doidge to Forest Green Rovers, or claims former players are not being paid wages. Uncertainty reigns supreme, not just on the field but off it as well.

There will be those who hope, deep down, that there's a superb run of form coming up or a spell in which they'll pick up points, but FLW are the bearers of bad news: we've got three reasons why Bolton will be a League One side next season.

Lack of Quality

The squad isn't good enough to stay in the Championship and wasn't strengthened sufficiently in the window either. The big summer signing was Josh Magennis, a player who has never been prolific.

Erzun Oztumer looked a good purchase on paper, but he's failed to have an impact either. They look like a League One squad punching above their weight.

Off Field Issues

The problems that have beset the club off the field have been a real cause for concern. There was the hint of administration earlier in the year, the Doidge fiasco and former players claiming they're owed money.

It doesn't help morale on the field and the atmosphere at matches is very tense indeed, further damaging their survival hopes.

The Run In

Norwich, Leeds and Swansea. They're just the next three games!

They've still got Derby to play as well as Forest. Villa and Middlesbrough both pay visits to the University of Bolton Stadium too. It's a harsh looking run in with few of the sides around them to play.

They do have a visit from Ipswich in early April, a fixture likely to be repeated in League One next season.