Bolton manager Keith Hill has claimed that the Trotters can defy the odds and achieve League One survival this season.

Hill’s have two games in hand on the majority of sides in the division but are already 18 points from safety.

After their financial issues last season, Bolton began the season with a 12-point deduction and saw their squad decimated over the summer.

Following Football Ventures' successful takeover the North West club have bolstered their squad with loan and free-agent additions and began to turn their fortunes around on the pitch–picking up impressive draws against Oxford United and Sunderland in September.

However, they remain 18 points away from safety and are surely the favourites for the drop.

Speaking to the Bolton News, Hill suggested that the Trotters were in no way out of it yet.

He explained: “The club’s been fighting a long, hard summer and there’s no relief–but we’re still in it.

“Anyone who disrespects League One just doesn’t know it.

“I have been operating in this division for six years, and prior to that I’d been in the Championship.

“I went back to League Two for a season and got promoted–so I know exactly what it takes at this level. It’s organisation, there are good teams with good players who should not be disrespected.

“We’ll fight the odds. It’ll take everybody and it’ll take solidarity and it’ll take staying on a sound plan to reinvigorate the footballing fortunes of this football club."

Bolton face Blackpool at the Macron Stadium this evening, which looks set to be a tough test given that the Tangerines are fifth in League One and pushing for the play-offs this season. 

The Verdict

It will be a sensational escape if the Trotters are able to avoid relegation this season, the gap is 18 points already and will only continue to grow if their poor run of results continues.

Hill’s side have not won yet this season and have picked up just three draws–scoring only two goals and conceding 25 in the process.

You have to admire the Bolton boss’ optimism and that sort of attitude is exactly what they will need if they are to change things around.

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