A storyline that has slightly gone under the radar this summer has been that of what will happen to Victor Adeboyejo. With the latest rumblings this week linking him with other clubs, namely Turkish side Goztepe and now Oxford United, it does pose questions about if he could be on the move.
This is not new information, however, with links stretching back to January, but there is no smoke without fire as they say. It would be tough for Bolton to turn down a move should their valuation be met, which you assume would have to exceed what they paid to Burton Albion a year and a half ago.
I have always backed Victor, even from the start. He has received criticism from some of the fanbase since his arrival - whether the argument is that he does not score enough, or that he does not link up with other players in a way that fits Ian Evatt’s style of play.
Sixteen goals in the 2022/23 season (although 13 of those were with Burton), 10 goals last term and one goal in two games so far this season is a solid return, but you could say for the money spent you might expect it to be slightly higher.
There are factors involved such as competition for places - Aaron Collins arrived in January which meant that minutes had to be shared. In addition, the depth up front has only improved this year with the arrivals of John McAtee and Klaidi Lolos.
Adeboyejo has had a strong pre-season and in his game time so far has looked stronger, quicker and a real focal point. There are no other players in the squad who can lead a front line - or who can hold off defenders and bring his team-mates into play - like he can.
It is a tough decision because everybody has a price, but to lose him at this point in the window - leaving Bolton looking for a ready-made replacement - would be a risky proposition. Teams consequently realise that Wanderers would be scrambling and probably inflate their valuations. On top of that, it then takes time to bed in a new signing.
Let’s not lie to ourselves either, because Victor is important to Bolton. For those physical games against the bigger teams in the league, you need a battering ram. The argument with this Bolton side is that they are easy on the eye but sometimes a little lightweight. At this stage they need to become more physical, not to lose that edge they have by selling off their number nine.
Can Dan Nlundulu be that guy? I do not think so, which is another problem in itself. I am sure if Adeboyejo was to be sold that contingency plans would be in place, but if I were Evatt then I would be doing everything in my power to keep him in a Bolton shirt. For a team battling for promotion, the timing could not be worse.
Positives from Wrexham
by Chris McKeown
The build up to last Sunday's first home league match of the season was intense. In a normal situation, playing against a promoted team wouldn’t draw the same level of scrutiny or perhaps, more importantly, create the same pressure. It was vital to make sure we came out of the game with something, which we did.
The Wrexham game was perhaps one of the toughest games the fixture computer could’ve thrown at Bolton. To play them in a month's time or so, when the league had settled and started to take shape, would’ve perhaps been more preferable? However, that wasn’t to be!
It was a full-on start - with almost 26,000 people attending, the Hollywood factor creating outside interest, Sky Sports showcasing the event and the return of Phil Parkinson (who spoke fantastically well of the club to his credit). It had all the ingredients to make one very big banana skin - little to gain but so very much to lose - but, we passed the test. I think, overall, Ian Evatt will be more than happy with the point, a clean sheet and to get that game out of the way.
Time will tell how Wanderers fare this year but I do feel if we’d have lost at the weekend, it would be had a bigger effect on supporters than a win ever could! I’ve previously written about the need for a fast start to allow for confidence to grow. I do believe the team is stronger this time around and we can go on to have a successful campaign, but keeping everyone on side and keeping momentum will be absolutely crucial.
That made the match a ‘must not lose’ scenario. Coming away with a draw and make it four points from two games is a very solid start, but we have to keep progressing now. This is a team still finding its way - the set up, new additions and players returning from injury will take time to gel. That said, we have had lots of positives already.
We have yet to light the blue touch paper but the potential of this squad is there to see. Hopefully, now that most players have had the chance to have time on the pitch - and the bonus of no fixture in midweek - it gives plenty of opportunity on the training ground to work on those patterns and link ups. Fingers crossed, it will have us fresh and ready for another tough challenge at Charlton.
A busy week follows, with the cup match and first community game at home against Exeter. Another big crowd will be expected and hopefully rewarded with three points and a few goals!
There is also the small matter of the transfer window closing next weekend too. It’ll be interesting to see if any more business develops, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if there is at least one more twist in the tale!
The last word for me is the incredible turnout last weekend, it was great to see the Fan Zone buzzing again and the stadium full. If we can find the key to promotion, it’s all there to see for Neil Hart and co. what a wonderful fanbase we have to tap into!
Looking ahead to Charlton
by Lee Sidebotham
I’ll take the point from Sunday. Ian Evatt and George Johnston sounded bitterly disappointed in the interviews after the Wrexham game but, personally, I think they’re being too hard on themselves. They could be up there with us come the end of the season and we may look back at this match as a point gained rather than two lost.
Don’t forget, we’re still getting up to speed with our signings and new playing style. It’s not been perfect but, at the end of the day, we’re still unbeaten. So, after the first few competitive matches, what can we take into the Charlton game this weekend?
Nathan Jones’ side are good at not conceding many goals, but just as good at not scoring them too. We shouldn’t start getting frustrated if we can’t get the ball over the line. But at the same time, we need to be more proactive. Not making changes sooner has been one of Evatt’s main criticisms over his tenure.
While we’ve arguably got the best front three in the league, Victor Adeboyejo has been outstanding so far in both pre-season and competitive action. He should be called upon much earlier than he was against Orient and Wrexham if things aren’t going our way.
Teams have targeted and marked Josh Sheehan out of all the games we’ve had so far, but that’s where Matete can come in. His ability to carry the ball from defence into attack mirrors Paris Maghoma last year. Let’s just not fall in love with him too much! Matete’s box-to-box role may be what we need to counteract this and bring additional support to the midfield, allowing Sheehan to find more space.
The 3-4-3 seems to be working thus far and I’m excited to see us progress with it. Our wingers playing higher up has provided more opportunity in attack, while not exposing our defence. Schon has particularly impressed me so far, I’d like to see him get even more time on the ball and see what he can do. With Charlton’s physical trio in central midfield, I think we’ll see exactly that.
Speaking of physicality, Johnston brought some much-needed intensity to our defence last Sunday. You can’t help but feel we missed that last season. Despite fitness concerns he may or may not have, he must bring that again on Saturday and start over Jack Iredale.
Charlton are no walkover, despite the odds and previous results we’ve had against them, but we’re favourites for a reason. We’ve got a bench where just about anyone could go straight into the starting line-up for the London side. If we use our quality and tactical flexibility to our advantage, as well as match them physically, we should have no problem getting the three points.
That’s if we don’t fall victim to our own mistakes which - after the Orient and Mansfield games - doesn’t look like we’ve got completely out of our system just yet. We’ll find out Saturday.
Evatt's striker dilemma
by James Scott
Ian Evatt has a decision to make – should Dion Charles or Victor Adeboyejo play as a focal number nine, or could they even thrive playing together in the tweaked system?
Both strikers come with qualities well suited to the new system. Charles is fast, unrelenting and Wanderers’ top goal scorer over the last two campaigns, racking up 50 goals since he signed from Accrington Stanley in January 2022. Adeboyejo is powerful, intelligent and although he struggled at first under Evatt’s guise, he looks better than he ever has done in a white shirt.
The new system should allow for more fluidity in the final third of the pitch, and there were glimpses of this in the game against Wrexham on Sunday. John McAtee and Aaron Collins started behind Charles and the two supporting forwards varied their play over the course of the first half, attempting to open up gaps in Wrexham’s compact defensive structure.
This nearly came to fruition at the start of the second half as Charles latched onto McAtee’s through ball but could only sting the gloves of a grateful Arthur Okonkwo. The pace that Charles possesses does cause problems and can open up tight defences in a flash.
In comparison, Adeboyejo is a more typical number nine and in pre-season looked to be thriving in the new system. The Nigerian striker arrived in Bolton under the cloud of a sizeable fee and had to learn the ropes in playing football in an Ian Evatt team.
Two of Adeboyejo’s best games for Wanderers were against Premier League opposition, proving a real handful for Luton in the FA cup in January. His power and nous makes him a threat in the box, as proven with a first half hat trick against Fleetwood in August 2023, and with his goal against Leyton Orient which was his first competitive touch of the season.
His hold-up play has dramatically improved as well, which could suit the new system better. With the likes of Collins and McAtee behind him and Schon on the left all willing to surge forward, Adeboyejo could prove to be a real outlet in the season ahead and can finish from crosses better than most in the division.
Both Charles and Adeboyejo played together with Collins in the final 15 minutes against Mansfield in the cup and the trio looked good together. Having the flexibility to allow all three of Wanderers’ main forwards to linkup could be key, even if it isn’t Evatt’s Plan A.
For what it’s worth, I think Adeboyejo’s physicality could be crucial against Charlton this weekend, but Charles has a super record at the Valley stadium, thwarting the Addicks on multiple occasions.
My instinct tells me that Adeboyejo with McAtee and Collins behind him is the strongest unit for Saturday’s game. Then again, leaving out Bolton’s top scorer for a tough away fixture is a brave call…
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