Sunderland boss Lee Johnson makes Bolton Wanderers League One prediction after win

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson believes Bolton Wanderers will take ‘a lot of points’ away from other League One teams this campaign and expects Ian Evatt’s side to be ‘pretty well entrenched’ in the top six. ‘here Christmas.

Johnson’s side took all three points yesterday at the Stadium of Light in a close encounter against the Wanderers.

Bolton fell behind in the first half after Carl Winchester struck early in the game.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt on Sunderland loss, Lloyd Isgrove injury and result streak

But Bolton should have gotten something out of the game, especially after the break with a much better performance in the second half.

Eoin Doyle missed a free header at close range with a chance for the forward to convert normally, which George Johnston whipped after meeting Dapo Afolayan’s cross as the Wanderers finally slipped to defeat.

Sunderland find themselves second in League One after winning behind current leaders Wigan Athletic on the only goal difference so far.

But he expects Ian Evatt’s side, who are now ninth in the table and seven points off the top after yesterday’s meeting, to be looking for the play-offs by Christmas.

“I was really happy with the three points. It was a big three because I think Bolton will take a lot of points away from a lot of teams and I expect them to be up there and from here. Christmas, I think you’ll see them pretty much ingrained in the top six, ”Johnson said. ChronicleLive.

“It’s really fair to say it was a really tough game – we knew it would be even before the game.

“With Sunderland rose tinted glasses, I guess I would say we should have killed them because we had three or four wonderful opportunities created by fluid football – the [Alex] The chance of Pritchard is noticed at the start of the second half.

“But Bolton also had a good chance and probably on expected goals or opportunities it could have been 4-3 either way.

“The blank sheet was huge.

“We haven’t had enough and we need more.

“There were a lot of players putting their bodies on the line, there was a bit of a bad finish from their point of view, and some really good saves from [Thorben] Hoffmann.

“The fans wanted us today and we needed it.

We were making emotional decisions, I thought, and that led to us giving the ball a little too much, but I can’t criticize them too much because I asked them to play.

“I can’t have both, can I? I can’t want them to hold onto the ball but also tell them to shoot it.”