JACK ROSS claims the EFL could have made a much better job of dealing with Bolton Wanderers’ financial problems, but accepts there is no point complaining about Sunderland having to face the Trotters just as they are beginning to turn themselves around.

Unlike Bury, who were expelled from League One after failing to provide financial guarantees that they could survive the season, Bolton’s last-gasp survival bid proved successful as the EFL granted a stay of execution that enabled the Football Ventures group to gain control of the club from former chairman Ken Anderson.

The takeover meant Bolton were able to remain in League One, and also led to the acquisition of a dozen players in the final 24 hours of the summer transfer window.

Whereas Bolton had started the season with a collection of academy products, their manager, Keith Hill, can now call on experienced figures such as former Sunderland duo Liam Bridcutt and Will Buckley and ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jason Lowe. As a result, their performances have improved, with Tuesday’s draw with Oxford United confirming the upturn.

Today’s trip to the University of Bolton Stadium is a markedly different challenge to the one Sunderland would have encountered had they been required to make it last month, but while Ross claims there were flaws in the EFL’s handling of Bolton’s financial problems, he will not be bemoaning the League One schedule if his side come unstuck this afternoon.

“The whole situation regarding both clubs in the league who were in trouble could have been handled more strongly from a leadership point of view,” he said. “But we have to deal with whatever lies ahead.

“I know it’s unique circumstances, but you could play a club pre-new ownership, and then they become totally different post a new ownership if they are able to spend a lot of money.

“The pleasing thing is that Bolton have been able to survive. There’s no doubt in my mind they’re in a stronger position, but we’ve just got to make sure we’ve got enough about us to win the game.”