In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Well, he won't be captain for the next two games. That will presumably be George Johnston, which is fine by me. The armband has been a bit of a poisoned chalice recently, so it might do Tomo a favour not to be that guy, as to an extent it did for Rico.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
I'd give the captaincy to Toal full time.Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 2:38 pmWell, he won't be captain for the next two games. That will presumably be George Johnston, which is fine by me. The armband has been a bit of a poisoned chalice recently, so it might do Tomo a favour not to be that guy, as to an extent it did for Rico.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
And who is going to do the running in his place?The_Gun wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 2:29 pmYou joke, but this is actually quite a big problem for someone who’s meant to be our leader.Abdoulaye's Twin wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:50 pmWe mighty need him to cover for Thomason's lunging tackle suspensions...
Last season Thomo had the joint most yellows in the division (tied on 14 with a certain J. Vela).
This season he again has the joint most yellows in the division (this time tied on 10 with Baily Cargill).
Even when he was regularly turning in MotM performances last season his discipline was barely excusable, but now his form has fallen off a cliff, his place in the team must be under severe threat.
The problem Thomason has had in the last two years is he’s had to do the work of three men. I find it a little ridiculous that he’s been put in that position and been asked to be captain. But the rest of the midfield either can’t or won’t do that work. And frankly we need two in there at least doing it.
The other problem is that the midfield is massively unbalanced. You want a big shield for the back four then two hard runners and workers in front. Ideally one who is a bit more combative the other who can bag some goals. IMHO. We have a bunch of attacking mids who need to play behind a pair of very mobile 8’s or a bunch of small not strong defensively 6’s who need the aforementioned runners in front. And we are stuck in between the two.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Yeah, I can imagine that, too.Bertie Wooster wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 2:42 pmI'd give the captaincy to Toal full time.Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 2:38 pmWell, he won't be captain for the next two games. That will presumably be George Johnston, which is fine by me. The armband has been a bit of a poisoned chalice recently, so it might do Tomo a favour not to be that guy, as to an extent it did for Rico.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Hard to disagree with any of this from Marc Iles.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... er-window/
Especially the last bit.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... er-window/
Especially the last bit.
I guess a worry I have is what money there will be. I think the summer is going to be an extremely challenging period regardless of what happens this season as we do need a big overhaul and a lot of new signings. One feels Sharon was mainly committed to keeping Evatt here so money was freed up to stop him skulking off. There is now a very significant challenge of propelling the club forwards again and with a rebuild and the new management team directing it. Is the appetite there both financially and in spirit? Remains to be seen.Whether Schumacher successfully inspires a dash for the line or he uses the remaining 17 games to assess which players stay with him for next season’s tilt, a major summer rebuild looks inevitable, and won’t come cheaply.
Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Well the short answer to your question is Matete, who’s a much more mobile player than Thomason.BWFC_Insane wrote: ↑
And who is going to do the running in his place?
The problem Thomason has had in the last two years is he’s had to do the work of three men. I find it a little ridiculous that he’s been put in that position and been asked to be captain. But the rest of the midfield either can’t or won’t do that work. And frankly we need two in there at least doing it.
The other problem is that the midfield is massively unbalanced. You want a big shield for the back four then two hard runners and workers in front. Ideally one who is a bit more combative the other who can bag some goals. IMHO. We have a bunch of attacking mids who need to play behind a pair of very mobile 8’s or a bunch of small not strong defensively 6’s who need the aforementioned runners in front. And we are stuck in between the two.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
He’s not though. At least not what I’ve seen of him. I agree with Hill on Matete. He is a sitter. A 6. Who can make the odd run forwards. But he’s most effective in front of the defence. Does he look comfortable as a rangy 8 - not to me. It doesn’t look like his game to me at all.The_Gun wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:01 pmWell the short answer to your question is Matete, who’s a much more mobile player than Thomason.BWFC_Insane wrote: ↑
And who is going to do the running in his place?
The problem Thomason has had in the last two years is he’s had to do the work of three men. I find it a little ridiculous that he’s been put in that position and been asked to be captain. But the rest of the midfield either can’t or won’t do that work. And frankly we need two in there at least doing it.
The other problem is that the midfield is massively unbalanced. You want a big shield for the back four then two hard runners and workers in front. Ideally one who is a bit more combative the other who can bag some goals. IMHO. We have a bunch of attacking mids who need to play behind a pair of very mobile 8’s or a bunch of small not strong defensively 6’s who need the aforementioned runners in front. And we are stuck in between the two.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Meh, I don't particularly share that fear. If we give it a good go for the next four months, whether we go up or not we will be in a good position to attract players. It's not like I look round many other squads and think I wish we had half a dozen of these lads.BWFC_Insane wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 2:59 pmHard to disagree with any of this from Marc Iles.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... er-window/
Especially the last bit.
I guess a worry I have is what money there will be. I think the summer is going to be an extremely challenging period regardless of what happens this season as we do need a big overhaul and a lot of new signings. One feels Sharon was mainly committed to keeping Evatt here so money was freed up to stop him skulking off. There is now a very significant challenge of propelling the club forwards again and with a rebuild and the new management team directing it. Is the appetite there both financially and in spirit? Remains to be seen.Whether Schumacher successfully inspires a dash for the line or he uses the remaining 17 games to assess which players stay with him for next season’s tilt, a major summer rebuild looks inevitable, and won’t come cheaply.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
I’m thinking in the summer should we still be a league one side that the following probably go:Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:04 pmMeh, I don't particularly share that fear. If we give it a good go for the next four months, whether we go up or not we will be in a good position to attract players. It's not like I look round many other squads and think I wish we had half a dozen of these lads.BWFC_Insane wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 2:59 pmHard to disagree with any of this from Marc Iles.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... er-window/
Especially the last bit.
I guess a worry I have is what money there will be. I think the summer is going to be an extremely challenging period regardless of what happens this season as we do need a big overhaul and a lot of new signings. One feels Sharon was mainly committed to keeping Evatt here so money was freed up to stop him skulking off. There is now a very significant challenge of propelling the club forwards again and with a rebuild and the new management team directing it. Is the appetite there both financially and in spirit? Remains to be seen.Whether Schumacher successfully inspires a dash for the line or he uses the remaining 17 games to assess which players stay with him for next season’s tilt, a major summer rebuild looks inevitable, and won’t come cheaply.
Santos
Sheehan
Collins (likely not our choice if he continues to do well)
Maybe one or two of Johnston, Toal, Morley, Thomason.
Baxter
Then I’m think we’d probably want Geth, Dempsey, CMG to be found other homes.
Mcatee, Lolos, Vic, Cogley as it stands right now today would be ones you’d want to improve on to get out of this league.
Couple of loanees go too.
That is an awfully big rebuild with new management team who no doubt have new ideas. And in one summer to shape it into a promotion winning squad is going to take a big financial commitment I think. If you really want a squad capable of promotion next season and this one hasn’t done it again you are probably looking at the most expensive summer for the club since its premiership days and by some distance.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
For the record, I'm not sure an argument will ever be strengthened by saying it's in alignment with Keith Hill 

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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
...and I'm thinking, after decades of conversations like this, that I suspect you may be over-worrying about things, mate.BWFC_Insane wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:12 pmI’m thinking in the summer should we still be a league one side that the following probably go:
Santos
Sheehan
Collins (likely not our choice if he continues to do well)
Maybe one or two of Johnston, Toal, Morley, Thomason.
Baxter
Then I’m think we’d probably want Geth, Dempsey, CMG to be found other homes.
Mcatee, Lolos, Vic, Cogley as it stands right now today would be ones you’d want to improve on to get out of this league.
Couple of loanees go too.
That is an awfully big rebuild with new management team who no doubt have new ideas. And in one summer to shape it into a promotion winning squad is going to take a big financial commitment I think. If you really want a squad capable of promotion next season and this one hasn’t done it again you are probably looking at the most expensive summer for the club since its premiership days and by some distance.
Let's see how it goes under the new manager for a bit.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Uhu.Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:16 pmFor the record, I'm not sure an argument will ever be strengthened by saying it's in alignment with Keith Hill![]()
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Abdoulaye's Twin wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:52 pmConsider yourself lengthily banned from starting these threads. We might need a Pru special for summerTonyDomingos wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:37 pmDo I have the honour of having started the worst transfer thread EVER?!![]()
I am Evatt to Pru's Schumacher (Prumacher, if you will).
Às armas, às armas!
Sobre a terra, sobre o mar,
Às armas, às armas!
Pela Pátria lutar!
Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!
Sobre a terra, sobre o mar,
Às armas, às armas!
Pela Pátria lutar!
Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Contracted past the summer, or with an option to extend past the summer we have:
Baxter, Southwood.
Forrester, Forino, Johnston, Toal.
Morley, Thomason, Sheehan, Dempsey.
Tutu, Schon, Conway.
McAtee, Randall, Lolos, CMG, Collins.
Vic, Nlundulu
I may have missed some out?
Everyone agrees Evatt has made terrible use of the group this season and we're still in the play-off mix.
That is the core of a side that can be up the top end in this division. We will likely want to move some on and we obviously have to bring some in.
Let's see what the new manager can do with them. He absolutely doesn't need a new 11.
Baxter, Southwood.
Forrester, Forino, Johnston, Toal.
Morley, Thomason, Sheehan, Dempsey.
Tutu, Schon, Conway.
McAtee, Randall, Lolos, CMG, Collins.
Vic, Nlundulu
I may have missed some out?
Everyone agrees Evatt has made terrible use of the group this season and we're still in the play-off mix.
That is the core of a side that can be up the top end in this division. We will likely want to move some on and we obviously have to bring some in.
Let's see what the new manager can do with them. He absolutely doesn't need a new 11.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Santos I think will go. I don't think he's been happy for a while and short of a spring love-in with Schumacher...BWFC_Insane wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:12 pm
I’m thinking in the summer should we still be a league one side that the following probably go:
Santos
Sheehan
Collins (likely not our choice if he continues to do well)
Maybe one or two of Johnston, Toal, Morley, Thomason.
Baxter
Then I’m think we’d probably want Geth, Dempsey, CMG to be found other homes.
Mcatee, Lolos, Vic, Cogley as it stands right now today would be ones you’d want to improve on to get out of this league.
Couple of loanees go too.
That is an awfully big rebuild with new management team who no doubt have new ideas. And in one summer to shape it into a promotion winning squad is going to take a big financial commitment I think. If you really want a squad capable of promotion next season and this one hasn’t done it again you are probably looking at the most expensive summer for the club since its premiership days and by some distance.
Sheehan is good for this level. The real issue is who we put around him and how we play.
Collins might attract admirers, but a decent step up from us is probably going to need more consistency.
All of Johnston, Toal, Thomason and the Morley that came back from Wycombe are fine
Baxter I think will go. Southwood seems good enough, so as long as we're not relying on the other fella for back up we're fine.
McAtee used right is fine. I don't think we've seen the real him yet.
Lolos I'm not bothered about so far from what I've seen.
Unless we're going to play to Vic's strengths then he might as well go.
Cogley from last season is fine, but I'd like an upgrade. As more as a backup he's ok for me.
It all depends what Schumacher wants to do, but a handful of missing pieces is all we need. I'd not be ripping everything up unless we're radically changing how we setup.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
I've updated the contract expiry thread: viewtopic.php?p=1194639#p1194639GhostoftheBok wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:25 pmContracted past the summer, or with an option to extend past the summer we have:
Baxter, Southwood.
Forrester, Forino, Johnston, Toal.
Morley, Thomason, Sheehan, Dempsey.
Tutu, Schon, Conway.
McAtee, Randall, Lolos, CMG, Collins.
Vic, Nlundulu
I may have missed some out?
I don't think you've missed anyone, bar kids. Baxter's initial contract is up this summer and I'm not aware of us having an extension option, though I'd rather be wrong and happy than right and sad.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
Our mole may know definitively.Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 4:16 pmBaxter's initial contract is up this summer and I'm not aware of us having an extension option, though I'd rather be wrong and happy than right and sad.
All I know is that a couple of other clubs in the league think we have an option.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
I'd be very glad if we do. The reports when he signed said "an initial two-year contract" which perhaps implies options, but they wren't stated, and it could just be a word thrown in there.GhostoftheBok wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 4:44 pmOur mole may know definitively.Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 4:16 pmBaxter's initial contract is up this summer and I'm not aware of us having an extension option, though I'd rather be wrong and happy than right and sad.
All I know is that a couple of other clubs in the league think we have an option.
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
There's been a few iffy windows for me. We didn't push on from last Jan, we fell back. We didn't improve over the summer, we fell further back. Doesn't feel like we improved this window either, but maybe Schumaker will work better with what we have...
If I look at our target of 2 points per game over a season in relation to the windows, once out of 7 we've bettered 2 ppg.
We improved 1/1/22 to end of season, 1/1/23 to end of season, and 1/8/24 to Christmas 2024, so far this year, we're about first half of 2022/23 season level...
Whether that's more manager or players or both, maybe the next few games will help us work that out...
If I look at our target of 2 points per game over a season in relation to the windows, once out of 7 we've bettered 2 ppg.
We improved 1/1/22 to end of season, 1/1/23 to end of season, and 1/8/24 to Christmas 2024, so far this year, we're about first half of 2022/23 season level...
Whether that's more manager or players or both, maybe the next few games will help us work that out...
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Re: In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window
May not matter. If he isn't #1 under Schumacher we may look to save money in that area and not renew his deal. He's one of our top earners.Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:52 pmI'd be very glad if we do. The reports when he signed said "an initial two-year contract" which perhaps implies options, but they wren't stated, and it could just be a word thrown in there.
I'll enjoy having two good 'keepers whilst it lasts, but I do think Baxter is the better player.
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