Bolton Wanderers fans have say on the club's pre-season

by Liam Hatton

You could say Bolton fans were a little bit Hungary yesterday with a new signing seemingly imminent (sorry, I will see myself out).

Knowing my luck, by the time of publication on Saturday this will be official, but it is looking ever so likely that Hungarian international Szabolcs Schön will be a Bolton Wanderers player.

A left sided midfielder, but the question is will this offer tactical flexibility and ultimately mean that Evatt will perhaps look at switching things up and adopting more wingers in his thinking moving forward?

We know that Aaron Collins has played out wide during his time at Bristol Rovers. Carlos Mendes Gomes has also predominantly been a winger throughout his career, albeit he is very likely injured until the New Year at least.

Aaron Collins has played out wide in his career - will he be doing so again? (Image: Harry McGuire)

Can Schön play wing-back? Perhaps, because that is also an area of concern at both sides with the injuries to Gethin Jones and Randall Williams, so maybe that is where Ian Evatt views him at this time?

However it is an interesting signing, more so with the new rules regarding clubs being able to bring in two names who do not meet the current points requirement for an international visa system, something that Evatt is taking full advantage of.

What the points requirement is I could not tell you whatsoever, and you would probably be best placed asking me to describe how space and time works, but we will just roll with it for now.

It is a bold but intriguing move to search for players overseas, with Wanderers emphasising a particular focus on the Belgium, Hungarian and Polish leagues. We are seeing the work of Bolton’s relationship with Ludonautics in effect, and after years of bringing in names from the English pyramid, this is a welcome change.

What Bolton have lacked in years has been an injection of pace, with so much of their play revolving around a passing based game and exploiting space via mismatches. Their main options to break forward with any sort of speed has come via their wing backs, but there is a difference between having an adapt wing back and a natural winger, especially someone like Schön who has played for his country.

The message from Evatt this summer in terms of signing has been that of patience, maintaining he would rather wait and bring in the right names as opposed to rushing for the sake of making signings.

We saw that last summer with Paris Maghoma, who had a huge impact for Bolton. With more names expected to follow, including Bolton looking into Premier League loanees possibly after the season starts, there will no doubt be even more signings over the next few weeks.

So yes, maybe order a few Hungarian flags, or a shirt. But one thing is for sure, I do not expect to hear that Bolton Wanderers song that was being played on Instagram by Schön’s agent as he arrived in England on Thursday.

Football in 2024, what a world.

George Johnston went viral with a rattling challenge against Fiorentina (Image: Harry McGuire)

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish

By Lee Sidebotham

I doubt we’ll be playing Fiorentina again anytime soon… A so-called ‘friendly’ it ended up being anything but! It was a good test, though, a solid performance and a positive result for us, nonetheless. It could have been even better if it wasn’t for sloppy goal we’ve all come to expect. We really need to get these silly mistakes out of our game sooner or later.

After going viral for his challenge last weekend, it’s safe to say that Georgy Johnston is back and hasn’t lost a step! He won the ball by the way.

Nathan Baxter was also on-top form, making some impressive saves that kept us from going a couple goals down in the first half.

Klaidi Lolos will be disappointed with his squandered open goal chance, but overall, I thought a front three worked well. It looks to suit Victor Adeboyejo to a tee, especially.

The Stoke game on the other hand wasn’t great. We created no real chances apart from a late shot by Dion Charles when he came on.

Luke Southwood made some good stops and looks like a solid back-up option. Josh Dacres-Cogley made some clever runs and passes. But Stephen Schumacher’s Stoke had control of the game from the outset. They will be much improved this season after last and played exactly Evatt wants us to play, from the back, with holding midfielders and wingers constantly making runs in from behind, disorganising and exposing the defence. If anything, let’s hope we’ve taken a few things from them out of this game.

So, after the five friendlies, where are we in terms of preparation for the season ahead?

It’s been a mixed bag of results, which can only be expected with the levels of opposition we have faced and challenges off the pitch. Pre-season is the time to try new things and you can tell from the way we’re playing right now that we are still experimenting. This is something we were all crying out for last season, something different. So, let’s give it time.

If we don’t thrash Port Vale by three or four this weekend, that doesn’t necessarily mean we are off the pace. And let’s not forget the challenging start to the campaign we have too. Wrexham and Charlton have been recruiting very well. We are not going to win every game this year and we need to remember that. Look at how Portsmouth held on and grinded out results last season where we couldn’t.

Perhaps the transfer window has been slower than Evatt would have hoped for, but in my opinion, our squad right now is more than capable to take us into this campaign and fight at the top.

It is the old adage - it is not how you start, it is how you finish. Just ask Derby supporters from last year.

We don’t have much patience as Bolton fans, but maybe this season we need to find some?

Josh Dacres-Cogley in pre-season action against Fiorentina (Image: Harry McGuire)

What Preseason Can Tell Us

by Becca Ashworth

Preseason means nothing. Or so popular wisdom goes. For the most part, I’m inclined to agree –– ultimately, preseason is a preparative playground –– a place to figure out what works, and, crucially, what doesn’t.

That said, there are glimpses of what’s to come, so here are a couple things that we’ve learned from preseason so far.

Plan A 2.0

Evatt certainly ruffled some feathers early into preseason. Fresh off the back of play-off defeats, fans were awaiting an apology, an admittance of tactical rigidity or a promise of a plan B to come. What they got was a tongue-in-cheek remark about a Plan A 2.0. Reassurance has emerged throughout the preseason period, with the familiar 3-5-2 (that fans came to loathe last season) slipping into a modified 3-4-3. It looks effective –– and exciting –– and, with a couple new signings, could provide the solution that we lacked last season. What preseason can’t tell us, is whether this is a true Plan B, or if this is, indeed, just Plan A 2.0. Put differently, will we have the flexibility to switch mid-game if plan A turns sour?

Promising Signs.

It’s been a quiet window for Wanderers. However, Forino, Southwood, Lolos and Arfield are all bright names added to an already strong squad. Arfield adds some much-needed experience (and a little aggression) to the midfield. Lolos has been the spark of preseason (despite a characteristically Bolton miss), showing real promise and speed in and out of possession. Southwood, a first-choice goalie at any other team, made his debut this week, and is no doubt set to continue improving as he recovers from injury. Only Forino’s injury has held him back so far, but hefty praise from Wycombe is reassuring and hopefully we’ll see him in action soon.

Injuries

The bad news: injuries are rife, with multiple first team members out. Questions linger around these injuries: is it pure bad luck or something wrong in training? I’m inclined to say the former (a lot of injuries are carried over), but I’m worried about the latter. It’s not all bad though: Johnston, sorely missed, has returned in excellent form, with an exceptional (and clearly legal) tackle in the Fiorentina draw. Still, the number of injuries has revealed the skeleton of a squad that is itself injury prone, missing a few key bones. Signings are needed to flesh out this skeleton, recovering the team for the season ahead.

The Future is Bright

The injuries aren’t all bad–– we’ve been able to see some younger players really shine instead. Conway is an obvious example: filling in for Williams, he’s shown his readiness to keep up with the first team and hold his own. Khumbeni, returning from Morecambe, has demonstrated his growth, scoring at Chorley and putting in a shift when he’s played. Special mention goes to Bryan, who made his presence known at Chorley, making a surprise (and welcome) case for his own inclusion within the first team squad. The future is bright and it’s fantastic to see!

Season opener edging near,

by Ernie Bratherton

Ten days from now Bolton Wanderers will travel to the capital, opening their league campaign away to Leyton Orient.

This also means 1,500 Wanderers fans will be making their way down south to watch the debut of the ‘new look’ Wanderers. After the disappointing end to last season the squad faces the daunting prospect of trying to push Wembley to the back of people’s minds. The pressure has never been greater in the clubs six-year Championship hiatus for success and although an opening day defeat wouldn’t even scratch the surface of deciding a season. It certainly would go a long way in settling any pre-existing doubts that may be lingering.

Although Evatt currently possesses one of the pound-for-pound best squads in the league. He has been promised a competitive playing budget to hopefully go one step further. Whilst the extent of that budget is undisclosed; various names have been floated across social media who would come at no small cost. With Evatt going as far to say one or two may be very close post Stoke City.

The emphasis on one or two is key. The squad is currently capable of having a good season. But the ‘one or two’ could be the difference in unlocking a sixth gear to hopefully go one better this time out. Everyone has their own opinions on what positions would allow for that gear to be uncovered. 
Then there is the loan market.

A market which has found and developed many players placed deep into Wanderers folklore, from Wilshire and Sturridge to Trafford and Bradley. Bolton have been very successful in finding raw talent which needs shaping. With that in mind every faith is placed in Chris Markham and co to discover the next footballing phenomenon to grace the Toughsheet. 

Whether that player is ready and signed to walk out at Brisbane Road is anybody’s guess, however with five spots available; it’ll be a waiting game to see the premier leagues next generation ply their trade in BL6.

Some pre-season musings,

by Chris McKeown.

Pre season is almost over, with just one more chance for the players to catch Ian Evatt's eye at Port Vale this weekend, before the 24/25 season gets underway.

We are still a few players short, through injury and the long wait over potential new signings still to be finalised but after the recent solid displays against Fiorentina and Stoke (mainly in the second half of both games) the players are getting used to the new roles.

Southwood made his debut on Tuesday night, and despite periods of pressure from Stoke, seemed to settle in quickly and pulled off one top class save.

Lolos had moments in various matches over the last couple of weeks that I’ve seen, where you can see his trickery and given more time, to both settle in and for his confidence to grow, is one to  keep an eye on to see how he develops.

So despite some late signings the starting 11 for our game at Leyton Orient should becoming clearer for Ian Evatt.

We have made a good fist of it in the friendlies to date and been competitive in each match  (the Middlesbrough late flurry of goals aside).

I’ve attended three pre season matches , Chorley, plus the two home games, and have to say that at every full time whistle, I’ve left satisfied with the performances, whilst acknowledging it’s still work in progress.

One thing that has stood out,  is that a few ‘spats‘ have broken out in both the home games at the Toughsheet Stadium, whilst no one wants to see any reckless behaviour,  it’s good to see the team standing together. I think the 3 musketeers said: "All for one and one for all" and that could be the mantra that gives the lads the extra edge this season.

Overall, the objective is to get the squad up to speed, both tactically and fitness wise, for the year ahead, however, certain players have stood out and made a strong case to be included on August 10.

One of those is Scott Arfield,  now it shouldn’t be a surprise, given his calibre, but he’s hit the ground running and been involved in lots of link ups, looks to have good energy and gets stuck in when called upon, not only that, but he’s also a ‘talker’ and very much the kind of character we’ve been looking for, for quite some time, I believe .

Amongst others, Victor Adeboyejo has been one who has looked on top form so far in the warm up matches. He has got on the scoresheet, which we all want forwards to do, and been very effective playing in the new set up, using his strength well, whilst making a big difference in the final third.

So, is there much to progress on? Of course there is but given some luck, confidence and the extra determination that looks instilled in both Evatt and the team to put right the missed chance of last season, aided by new additions we will hopefully have what it takes to succeed.
It’s over to the lads who put the shirt on, to make our wishes come true!