Bolton Wanderers endured a frustrating campaign last season, which saw ambitions of a promotion push end in a battle to avoid the drop into League One.
Dougie Freedman was shown the door 11 games in and under his successor Neil Lennon, the Trotters comfortably secured Championship status for another season and offered some hope that there will be a major improvement this time around.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at whether Lennon can now lead the Lancashire outfit to a Premier League return after three years away, or if another season of consolidation is on the cards.
In
Ben Amos (Manchester United), Gary Madine (Sheffield Wednesday), Jordan Lussey (Liverpool), Jon Ceberio (Real Sociedad), Derik Osede (Real Madrid), Lawrie Wilson (Charlton Athletic), Stephen Dobbie (Crystal Palace)
Out
Alex Baptiste (Middlesbrough), Jermaine Beckford (Preston North End), Adam Bogdan (Liverpool), Matt Mills (Nottingham Forest), Sanmi Odelusi (Wigan Athletic), Craig Davies (Wigan Athletic)
Last season - 18th
Manager - Neil Lennon
© Getty Images
Former Celtic boss Lennon took charge in October of last season with the remit of keeping Bolton in the Championship. The Northern Irishman did just that, steering them 10 points clear of the drop zone. The Trotters did threaten to finish higher in the table courtesy of an eight-match unbeaten run towards the back end of the campaign, but in truth the damage had been done with their poor start early on.
Lennon has had a full pre-season to work with the players and mould the squad within his image, and he will be hoping that he can take the club further up the standings this year. He has been forced to operate shrewdly in the transfer market, though, relying on free signings as the club cuts costs at the Macron Stadium.
Key Player - Tim Ream
The American defender has added a consistency to his game in the past season which has made him one of the first names on the Bolton teamsheet. He made a shaky start to life at the club upon joining in 2012 but he has established himself at the heart of the back four since.
Bolton had one of the worst defensive records in the division last term, although Ream performed admirably throughout. His impressive form has led to an international recall from United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann and he will need to keep that going this term if Bolton are to finish higher in the table.
© Getty Images
Possible starting lineup
Amos; Vela, Ream, Wheater, Moxey; Medo, Spearing, Trotter, Feeney; Heskey, Clough
First game: Derby County (H), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
Bolton have been handed a tough start to the campaign, facing promotion favourites Derby County and Middlesbrough in their opening two games before taking on promoted MK Dons, who will be on a high after coming up from League One. Lennon will be looking to avoid a repeat of last season's struggles, but whether or not he can have them challenging for the top six and promotion remains to be seen.
If they can keep their key players fit and add a bit more consistency to their game, there is every chance that Bolton can achieve a top-half finish, which would represent good progress. Losing the likes of Adam Bodgan and Matt Mills will hamper their progress somewhat, but they will be hoping that Lennon's transfer business comes good over the course of the campaign.
Prediction - 19th
Steven Toplis
