Meet the opposition: Bolton
As Swansea City prepare to host Bolton at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday (3pm), we take a closer look at the visitors.
What's their story?
The Trotters enjoyed an 11-year stint in the Premier League but that came to an end in 2012 and it has been a challenging time for them since then.
They dropped into League One in 2016, but bounced back to the second tier at the first time of asking and were then involved in a dramatic escape from relegation on the last day of last season.
Bolton had looked destined for the drop until they netted twice in the final three minutes of the season against Nottingham Forest to preserve their Championship status.
Historically they have been top-flight regulars, spending some 73 seasons in the elite division and have won the FA Cup four times in their history, including the famous 1923 'White Horse Final'.
How's their form?
Not great. Bolton have won just once in their last 10 Championship matches and are currently four points adrift of safety.
That sole victory came earlier this month when they beat Birmingham at St Andrew's thanks to a Callum Connolly goal.
Phil Parkinson's men had taken 10 points from their first four games as they made a very strong start to the campaign, but there have been just 16 points added to their tally in the 30 games since.
Who's the boss?
Experienced campaigner Parkinson will be best remembered by Swans fans as being the man in the Bradford dug-out the day the club lifted major silverware for the first time in the 2013 League Cup final.
A combative midfielder in his playing days, Parkinson came through the ranks at Southampton before spending four years with Bury and 11 with Reading, making more than 500 league appearances along the way.
He began life as a manager at Colchester United in 2003, and led the Essex club to an unlikely promotion from League One in his second season in charge.
He has since had spells at Hull, Charlton and Bradford, with his stint at the latter including that incredible giant-killing run to Wembley.
He took charge of Bolton in 2016 following relegation from the Championship, and got them back up at the first attempt.
Who are the key men?
Northern Ireland international and former Cardiff striker Josh Magennis is Bolton's top scorer with seven goals this term, and he and Clayton Donaldson have formed a rugged strike-pairing.
They have the pace and nous of the likes of Sammy Ameobi, Will Buckley and Craig Noone to call upon out wide.
They have taken talented midfielder Joe Williams on loan from Everton, while they can call on the considerable experience of skipper David Wheater and Mark Beevers - who has chipped in with four goals this season - in defence.
Tickets for the Bolton game are available – get yours HERE or call the ticket office on 01792 616400. Watch the game in style in our 1912 Heritage lounge – contact our dedicated hospitality team on 01792 616628 or on hospitality@swanseacity.com. Travel with Zeelo to get picked up near your home/pub and dropped off right outside the Liberty and returned back after the game. Book your coach HERE.
