Bolton Wanderers fans column Straight From the Stands

by Liam Hatton

I WOULD like to say this is the final week I will mention Paris Maghoma, but I am sure his name will continue to pop up in conversation every once in a while.

The reason I bring him up again is because there is a Maghoma shaped hole that Bolton Wanderers need to fill within the next 28 days, but ideally sooner than that.

Names have been thrown about this week, including Karamoko Dembele and John McAtee, both who would represent coups and almost certainly add creativity and excitement to the attacking midfield role, albeit in a different form to what Maghoma brought to the table.

Dembele has reported interest from clubs in the Championship, which is obviously a huge hurdle for Wanderers to overcome. I mean that could have been rectified had Bolton won at Wembley, but now is not the time for that conversation.

So, if Dembele is to fail, which is probably most likely, McAtee would not be a bad option in terms of a back-up choice. That is unless Ian Evatt wants both players on board, which would be quite greedy, but greedy in a good sense of having a wealth of talent at his disposal.

Bids have been lodged for both men, with other options in the pipeline should they fail, but that spot is one that Evatt is obviously eager to fill as soon as possible, mainly in the hopes of integrating whichever player it could be into his squad for preseason.

There is also the conundrum of the wing back spots - will competition be added for Joshua Dacres-Cogley, or is Evatt comfortable with a combination of Gethin Jones and Luke Matheson? The latter’s development is something to keep an eye on, as you get the feeling that a decision needs to be made on the former Wolves defender, purely for the sake of his own progression.

Wanderers wing-back Josh Dacres-Cogley  (Image: Camerasport)

On the other side it gets a little bit messy, because there is only really Randall Williams who can play that left wing back spot, and he is currently injured. So, can Max Conway stake a claim to show he is ready?

Basically, there are a couple of questions right now and not many answers, but not all business needs to be laid out in the media. For all we know plans are well underway behind the scenes, which is a very likely scenario.

Until then, it is back to business as a Bolton fan with England losing in the finals of Euro 2024. I do not think I am quite ready to see Wanderers return yet, but what other choice do I have? There are few other ways to spend my Saturdays, and for my sins, I just cannot stay away regardless of what happens.

So, in the meantime I will continue to ponder the wing back situation, or if any player can come close to allowing me to get Paris Maghoma out of my head.

It is rather tough supporting this club, isn’t it? But I would not have it any other way.

Wandering Down South,

By Becca Ashworth

I REMEMBER leaving Wembley. I’d debated in the final minutes whether it was worth leaving early, but a bitter hope, like sweat, had me stuck to my seat.

Watching the slow trickle of fans making their way to the exit, I was pinned down, like the ball under Santos’ feet, waiting for that final whistle and hoping for a chance that never came.

It wasn’t a wise decision: the trickle turned into an overflow on the way to the station, and by the time I boarded my train, my decision to stay was haunted by ghost of the game: as I trundled home on the Metropolitan line, yellow jerseys gathered around me. Even the necks of a couple Wanderers’ fans taunted me, wrapped in those horrendous two-team scarves that should never be sold, much less bought. At each stop, the white shirts flittered away like the pre-match hopes had a couple hours prior, leaving me alone as part of a yellow sea.

I’m sorry for taking you back on this journey, fresh in face of the England defeat too –– I just can’t let wounds heal. There is a point to this flashback. In the last week, I finally replied to a friend’s message that had arrived on that journey home. Under the humdrum of the excited chatter of the underdogs, my phone pinged with the message every fan defeated in playoffs dreads receiving: “congratulations on promotion”.

He’d confused me for an Oxford fan. I can’t blame him –– coincidentally he’d messaged me during all our Oxford matches and, in all honesty, I don’t sound like your typical Bolton fan.

You see, I’ve got a confession to make. I’m a southerner.

Cursed with a home-counties accent, many people would likely place me in with the yellow jerseys that surrounded me, not with the fans who had long since departed the train for connections back up north.

My answer to “so who do you support” is accompanied normally by my own clarification: “no, not that Wanderers” (Wycombe is right on my doorstep). There’s always a follow-up question: “so why Bolton?” –– the nth degree given to me by locals as if they don’t support Liverpool, City, United etc.

In all honesty, their curiosity fills me with pride –– defying expectations to reconnect with my roots in Bolton. Proclaiming my Wanderers loyalty feels like an act of protest, like standing up and shouting “I’m Spartacus,” finding other Spartcuses (Spartaci?) in the process. There’s a whole batch of us scattered down south, and across the globe, united in our love of the team and the sport.

Coming into the new season, I’m torn by the new television deal. On one hand, the unsociable hours will make the regular pilgrimage a treacherous one, too difficult to attempt. However, I’m optimistic that, for the fans who can’t regularly make the journey, the rise in televised games will provide us expat fans the opportunity to connect with fans, literally home and away, and the team we love.

Scott Arfield should give Wanderers more midfield options (Image: PA)

Transfer titillation,

By Chris McKeown

WITH the Euros over and international football allegiances parked for a while, it’s back to the domestic scene, and it’s great to now have full focus on the new season ahead.

The Wanderers kicked off the pre-season campaign last Saturday with a good win against Championship opposition West Brom.

Though the game was played behind closed doors, the brief clips available showed two well-taken goals, and by all accounts, a solid team performance, despite a limited squad to pick from due to injuries and unfinished transfer business.

Speaking of transfers, the addition of Scott Arfield could prove to be a shrewd acquisition.

He brings bags of experience, played at the highest levels and for me, he’s the sort of player that we have been crying out for. I believe Scott will add quality on the ball but perhaps more importantly, be the extra fire both physically and vocally, that has been lacking in certain big game moments.

It appears more signings are due soon and the rumour mill is running at full velocity now, with talk of seven figure bids being lodged, something that has been unheard of for quite some time!

The reports of Danny Armstrong from Kilmarnock, looks to be a positive link but the news that BWFC are interested in Karamoko Dembele and John McAtee really got the fans’ attention, certainly on social media. They are both very different players but if they were to manage to get the deals done, it would suggest anyone taking Bolton lightly this year should think again.

Ian Evatt is clearly looking at a different calibre of targets than possibly he’s had the opportunity to do so before whilst in his tenure here. From my point of view, this all looks to be a season that nothing will be left to chance. It should be an exciting few weeks ahead, seeing what business gets done.

The opposite side of that coin is, is there going to be any outgoings?

Sharon Brittan indicated at an increased budget, so one would hope we can keep hold of our assets, even so, I am sure Wanderers’ resolve could be tested in the lead-up to the new season.

Obviously, everyone has a price and the added fact that some players are out of contract next year may well see some linked with moves away.

It all makes for fantastic conversation over the speculation.

Some people aren’t fond of transfer gossip, but I love it, from the far-fetched tales to the ones that you have everything crossed, hoping they are true.

It is all part of the fun. What else are we going to do over pre-season?

Ian Evatt and sporting director Chris Markham (Image: BWitC)

Recruitment system is the best in the league,

By Lee Sidebotham

WHAT better way to spend Saturday than travelling up to Bishop Auckland for a matchday, where the Sainsbury’s next door is bigger than the stadium.

Like many, I’m looking forward to seeing the new signings in action. This transfer window we’ve managed to recruit just about everywhere we struggled last season. And with talks of us having a seven-figure budget and two very highly rated players from across Europe scouted, you can’t help but get excited to see who’s next to come. But I’m not worried if we don’t get these two.

Sure, we’re not the only ones. Blackpool’s transfer activity has been notably impressive. Then there’s Bristol Rovers who seem to have replaced their entire starting 11 altogether. But I’m yet to see a team that has done more to improve all their big weaknesses more than us so far this summer.

Our main weakness last year, as everyone knows, was our tactical flexibility. That’s already been improved by the signing of Scott Arfield who can play just about anywhere in midfield. Arfield, who just two seasons ago was playing Europa League football, is an unbelievable signing for this level. With the departure of Cameron Jerome and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, we needed more experience and options going forward, and he can certainly provide that.

The back-up goalkeeper position was also arguably a weakness last year. We have gone ahead and signed Luke Southwood who could easily fit into most of the teams in this division. You already know he will be ready if called upon.

Chris Forino is smart for several reasons. His height will only add to the intimidating presence of our defence. His pace was a trait we severely missed defensively last year and especially in the final, with the amount of runs we allowed Josh Murphy to make. And from Evatt’s recent interviews, it sounds like he’s a composed ball carrier too. This was another trait we missed massively last year in the absence of Geroge Johnston, who will also feel like a new signing this season.

This is all in contrast to last year where it seemed we had our hands tied with who we could bring in. So, even if we don’t get either of these two European talents, which may be the case come publishing, there’s no doubt we’ll have Plan B, and C ready.

This transfer window shows once again that our recruitment model is the new standard. It’s no surprise that many teams throughout the country are looking at our club and wanting to replicate the progression and reputation we’ve built up over the last five years.

Mainly, in my opinion, thanks to the time and money spent in our recruitment system, both on, and off the pitch.