The stakes couldn’t be higher ahead of the League One play-off semi-finals, as eSPORTY spoke to Chris Forino-Joseph about returning a fallen giant back to its European heyday.
After a gruelling campaign, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers were separated by two points, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
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Forino-Joseph has been a rock in the Bolton backline, boasting a WhoScored average rating of 7.35 across 28 matches this season and ranking as one of the league’s top performers for aerial duels won.
The 26-year old enjoyed one of his strongest outings against the Bantams in April, recording 22 defensive contributions in a 1-1 draw.
Bolton have become accustomed to play-off heartbreak in recent years, most notably in a 2-0 defeat to Oxford United in the 2024 final.
The European standard
Forino-Joseph, who joined the club in the summer of 2024, understands that the Trotters are a club with a Premier League soul currently trapped in a League One body.
He said: “I came to the club almost two years ago, and anyone knows what the expectations are when you join Bolton Wanderers, especially in the third division.
“The fans have seen the club at a much higher level, even in Europe, so there’s no hiding away from the ambition.
“Bolton need to get back to where they are used to being, and as a group of players, we want to play a part in getting them back to where they’re supposed to be.”
The first-leg of the League One play-off semi-final takes place on Saturday at 8pm from the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton and will be live on eSPORTY 2.
Their opposition are in a similar position, fighting to reclaim their status in English football.
But for the former Wycombe Wanderers player, the drive to reach the final at Wembley on May 24 is fueled by a desire to reward a fanbase that experienced nights against the likes of Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in the 2000s.
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The mental game
The psychological weight lying on Bolton is immense after waiting five seasons in League One to be promoted back to the Championship after a seven year trip away.
Last season, the northern outfit failed to qualify for the play-offs, still feeling the scars of that 2024 final loss.
However, Forino-Joseph believes this current crop of players is different. The squad has been refreshed and boasts one of the lowest average ages in League One with 25.3 – in comparison to Bradford’s, which is the second-highest at 28.1.
He said: “You have to focus on the here and now. I joined in the summer, and as the next season went on, you could tell there was lasting effects from that loss.
“I think this squad is refreshed, it’s an exciting group and there’s fearlessness which comes with that, plus young fresh energy.
“We have one of the lowest numbers for average ages in the league which we’re proud of. Everyone is just excited to attack the play-offs on a fresh note.”
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Breaking the stalemate
The two sides have faced off three times this season, and every encounter has ended in a draw.
He added: “It’s good to know someone has to come out on top this time.
“We’ve had good dress rehearsals and our home form has been excellent so it will be two exciting fixtures but we just have to do the business and I want to win home and away.
“We obviously know a lot about each other, and it will just be down to who is most up for the task.
“This week has been focused entirely on the home game against Bradford, that’s the first step, is to prepare for that.
“I’m sure on Monday morning, after whatever happens, we will then look at the away leg and, hopefully, prepare for a third game at Wembley.”
