Taking the reigns at Bolton, Phil Parkinson was tasked with the extremely difficult endeavour of turning a Trotters side relegated with a whimper the year before from zeroes to heroes, all in the space of a single summer.

Twelve months after his June arrival, Parkinson had done it, with Bolton achieving an impressive second place finish behind run-away winners Sheffield United.

Whereas the Blades have taken to the Championship like a duck to water, Parkinson’s men’s second tier struggles have picked up where they left off.

Just two points from their opening six games will cause concern in the north west, with many sure to question whether the squad assembled this summer is good enough to compete at this level.

Bolton were easily dispatched by, what is admittedly, a very strong Middlesbrough side last weekend, and Parkinson must pick his men up ahead of the mid-week visit of Sheffield United.

The Trotters took the spoils last season at the Macron with an impressive 3-2 victory over the visitors, and this could mark the perfect opportunity for Parkinson’s men to finally pick up their first game of the season.

If they fail, could the pressure begin to mount?

Parkinson is very well liked around the club following his excellent work last season, but with the board keen to avoid another League One relegation, could a change of manager actually occur in say, the next ten to fifteen games, if Bolton are still propping up the table?

We saw Crystal Palace boss Frank de Boer relieved of his duties after just four league games in charge, and last year, Leicester’s title winning boss Claudio Ranieri was given the boot after the Foxes were dragged into a relegation scrap the following year.

Parkinson is safe for now, and has the players and ability to turn Bolton’s fortunes around.

However, if an upturn in results does not materialise in the near future, Gartside could have some very difficult decisions to make.

Bolton fans, obviously Parkinson is safe for now, but for how long?