Schu me the way to Amarillo - Summer 2025 Transfer Thread

[The_Gun]

There will always be plenty of good free agents and loans available to clubs of our stature at this level. Absolutely no need to spend fortunes to build a good League One side.

Have a browse through the ‘expiring contracts’ pages on Transfermarkt for the three EFL divisions and you’ll find plenty of interesting names. I’m certain that there will also be a slew of decent impending free agents on the continent, which is a market our new DOF should know.

[DJBlu]

Think we need some really boring, no feck about defenders. A holding midfielder who can mop up. Oh and players who listen to the manager.

[Harry Genshaw]

As bad as this season has been, and there have been several lowlights, hammerings and embarrassment in there - incredibly we were still in touch of the play offs at 4.30pm today. It doesn't need a mass clear out or revolution to improve on that next year.

[The_Gun]

Whilst I’m with the majority in not really being attached to any of our players, I don’t think there’s many of those who are contracted beyond the summer that I consider to be complete write-offs.

Nlundulu is probably the only one that I can’t really make a case for at all. Everyone else I’d say has shown enough to suggest that they can be part of a successful team next season, with the right additions brought in.

Quite a few of them will need to put in a lot of work during the offseason, and I hope that those in question realise that they’re at career defining junctures.

[irie Cee Bee]

I think it needs a clear out. What greater motivation does a player need than to know that they have (had) a chance of promotion going into the last 10 games? They seemed to expect that it would just be given to them as an entitlement because after all, they played for Bolton Wnderers FC who should not be in L1.

My conclusion is that they are Evatts babies, and after daddy left, their stepdad ( Schuey) is not willing to pat them on the back when they felt sorry for themselves after a poor game. So they hid in the closet and sulked.

Have to change that culture by getting rid of all those sulking. I believe there are many senior players in that closet and they need to go.

[Mar]

@Mar - thanks, fascinating to read that list. Some answers and thoughts.

• Hutchinson is already overage but doesn't take a squad space because keepers don't count.

• Conway is finishing his final underage season so he would take a squad slot - but personally I wouldn't mind that.

Cheers. Very much spur of the moment going off attitudes which are bound to change over the course of time.

• When you say "release" players who are contracted to 2026, 2027 or 2028 - we can't just release them, they're contracted to us and it works both ways. It means we can demand a transfer fee (I can hear Stadler and Waldorf bellowing "Good luck with that") but it also means if we cancel their contract we have to pay it in full. If we take £5,000 per week as a sample wage that would mean we'd have to pay CMG, Vic and Dan (each contracted till 2026) £250,000 each to go away. Collins, McAtee and Lolos £500,000 each. Randall £750,000. And some of those might (but might not) be on more than £5kpw. Yikes.

Understood. I put 'release' but I meant part company with. Surely we're better off getting money for some of these rather than losing them on a free.

Whats disheartening is the number of defenders that we've parted company with that have gone on to have sterling seasons. Think Caleb Taylor and Will Aimson. Just goes to show how badly we're defending as a unit rather than the players themselves.

• Fascinating that you end up 'saving' so many defenders when only 7 teams (4 of them probably relegated, none above 12th) have conceded more. And no attackers when we've scored more than Wrexham and Charlton (and Reading and Huddersfield), and only literally 1 or 2 less than Stockport and Orient. Flaccid as it has often been of late, broadly speaking the front end's been OK - it's the back end that's been acting like a relegation-haunted team. And yet, and yet... man by man, I agree with many of the defenders you mention keeping, and wouldn't weep at some of the forwards going....

I think it's a case of the forwards consistently showing poor effort levels. I don't think the defenders can get away with poor effort levels so from their point of view its just mistakes getting highlighted, such is the case of Santos (more pressure = more mistakes).

Forwards however, no matter which player I can mention have consistently been known for underperforming. Collins, should we be able to get him putting in a decent effort every week would be a really good player and well worth keeping, as would McAtee, but I can't advocate for either because neither have shown the gumption to try and drag the team over the line. I can take it if they're not very good, but both McAtee and Collins are capable of more than what they're delivering upon. Same goes for Vic.

Too often am I seeing people jogging around and lazily not putting a shift in. That needs to change. If any of those forwards (Etete the exception) put their best shift in every week, i'd be happy to keep them. They're talented players. Its the effort levels that need to change and as a group, I dont see it happening, hence the need to change.

It's the culture of lack of effort that needs to be shifted.

[BWFC_Insane]

As bad as this season has been, and there have been several lowlights, hammerings and embarrassment in there - incredibly we were still in touch of the play offs at 4.30pm today. It doesn't need a mass clear out or revolution to improve on that next year.

See I think it does because our issues are more ‘systemic’ than you might normally see.

We’ve all seen Bolton teams where you can say ‘if we had a bit more up front or some pace out wide or a better centre half’….and you could sort of describe the exact player or players needed to strengthen.

The trouble with this group as Schumacher himself says is they are physically and mentally soft. And they also are hugely inconsistent. You cant go from the run of form we had initially under SS to this….its nonsensical. But we’ve seen this for seasons from these players now. Good runs followed by abject ones. And hard to really put a finger on it. Also seem to lack any real character or backbone or fortitude.

Those problems I think are more difficult to solve. It’s not just adding a ‘bit of this and that’ it’s fundamentally changing the culture of the group and that takes significant changes. Adding one or two leaders probably won’t cut it, you need broader more fundamental changes imho to go from this to a team that can do the business.

Historically when we’ve gone from not great to winning promotion we’ve already had a group of players with experience of higher leagues and/or winning stuff and promotions. Think back to Allardyces side that contained likes or Bergsson, Warhurst, Elliott, Holdsworth etc…or Parkys side with bags of experience at higher levels already there. This lot have none of that so I think it’s a more fundamental set of changes and harder to really identify for Schumacher who needs to stay and go and exactly what’s needed to fix it.

[irie Cee Bee]

If Schuey does not get the chance to make significant changes to the squad and the culture therein, after 8 games in the new season with these same characters, we will be calling for his head and pointing to the worse record ever by a manager of BWFC. Give him a chance in the summer Sharon.

[BWFC_Insane]

The good thing is Evatt recruited a squad that was championship ready. So there’s that….

[irie Cee Bee]

I hope the culture of the people who manage the club also changes. It is noble to have a culture of peace and love and not wanting characters who will question the boss and his decisions. However, having "yes men" around you is a recipe for being led down the wrong path. Coleman was not the reason we failed last season nor is Baxter the reason this season, as bad as he looked today. We need some leaders in the club who are prepared to take it on the chin and admit they are wrong when they are and do what is necessary to fix what is not working.

[Harry Genshaw]

As bad as this season has been, and there have been several lowlights, hammerings and embarrassment in there - incredibly we were still in touch of the play offs at 4.30pm today. It doesn't need a mass clear out or revolution to improve on that next year.

See I think it does because our issues are more ‘systemic’ than you might normally see.

We’ve all seen Bolton teams where you can say ‘if we had a bit more up front or some pace out wide or a better centre half’….and you could sort of describe the exact player or players needed to strengthen.

The trouble with this group as Schumacher himself says is they are physically and mentally soft. And they also are hugely inconsistent. You cant go from the run of form we had initially under SS to this….its nonsensical. But we’ve seen this for seasons from these players now. Good runs followed by abject ones. And hard to really put a finger on it. Also seem to lack any real character or backbone or fortitude.

Those problems I think are more difficult to solve. It’s not just adding a ‘bit of this and that’ it’s fundamentally changing the culture of the group and that takes significant changes. Adding one or two leaders probably won’t cut it, you need broader more fundamental changes imho to go from this to a team that can do the business.

Historically when we’ve gone from not great to winning promotion we’ve already had a group of players with experience of higher leagues and/or winning stuff and promotions. Think back to Allardyces side that contained likes or Bergsson, Warhurst, Elliott, Holdsworth etc…or Parkys side with bags of experience at higher levels already there. This lot have none of that so I think it’s a more fundamental set of changes and harder to really identify for Schumacher who needs to stay and go and exactly what’s needed to fix it.

It's a persuasive argument but I can't help thinking babies and bathwater scenario. As a squad, there does appear to be systemic issues but just because collectively, they can appear to be flaky, untrustworthy, pussies it doesn't, to me at any rate, suggest none of the current lot, couldn't do well in a different set up, or with one or two different colleagues around them.

After a summer of reprogramming, hopefully some of those still under contract, come back looking like the players we know they can be.

[BWFC_Insane]

As bad as this season has been, and there have been several lowlights, hammerings and embarrassment in there - incredibly we were still in touch of the play offs at 4.30pm today. It doesn't need a mass clear out or revolution to improve on that next year.

See I think it does because our issues are more ‘systemic’ than you might normally see.

We’ve all seen Bolton teams where you can say ‘if we had a bit more up front or some pace out wide or a better centre half’….and you could sort of describe the exact player or players needed to strengthen.

The trouble with this group as Schumacher himself says is they are physically and mentally soft. And they also are hugely inconsistent. You cant go from the run of form we had initially under SS to this….its nonsensical. But we’ve seen this for seasons from these players now. Good runs followed by abject ones. And hard to really put a finger on it. Also seem to lack any real character or backbone or fortitude.

Those problems I think are more difficult to solve. It’s not just adding a ‘bit of this and that’ it’s fundamentally changing the culture of the group and that takes significant changes. Adding one or two leaders probably won’t cut it, you need broader more fundamental changes imho to go from this to a team that can do the business.

Historically when we’ve gone from not great to winning promotion we’ve already had a group of players with experience of higher leagues and/or winning stuff and promotions. Think back to Allardyces side that contained likes or Bergsson, Warhurst, Elliott, Holdsworth etc…or Parkys side with bags of experience at higher levels already there. This lot have none of that so I think it’s a more fundamental set of changes and harder to really identify for Schumacher who needs to stay and go and exactly what’s needed to fix it.

It's a persuasive argument but I can't help thinking babies and bathwater scenario. As a squad, there does appear to be systemic issues but just because collectively, they can appear to be flaky, untrustworthy, pussies it doesn't, to me at any rate, suggest none of the current lot, couldn't do well in a different set up, or with one or two different colleagues around them.

After a summer of reprogramming, hopefully some of those still under contract, come back looking like the players we know they can be.

Yeah but the problem I have here with the last part is ‘the players we know they can be’. They are all in the prime or even just beyond the prime of their careers and they have in the main never been above this league and never been promoted. Is the evidence not that they aren’t the players we need them to be?

[irie Cee Bee]

Most have reached their peak and level. Looking at the squad I can think of only Morley, Tutu and maybe Toal who have the "potential" with improvements to cut it above L1. The rest have peaked. Not good if we are looking to get promoted next season with this squad.

[Harry Genshaw]

Most have reached their peak and level. Looking at the squad I can think of only Morley, Tutu and maybe Toal who have the "potential" with improvements to cut it above L1. The rest have peaked. Not good if we are looking to get promoted next season with this squad.

Cut it above league 1 is a different argument though. We've floundered on that, no question. I'm of the opinion that many are capable of holding their own in a successful L1 side.

[Worthy4England]

Most have reached their peak and level. Looking at the squad I can think of only Morley, Tutu and maybe Toal who have the "potential" with improvements to cut it above L1. The rest have peaked. Not good if we are looking to get promoted next season with this squad.

Cut it above league 1 is a different argument though. We've floundered on that, no question. I'm of the opinion that many are capable of holding their own in a successful L1 side.

I think I'd possibly approach it two ways. Most people seem to think we need some slightly older heads, bit of mental toughness and more variety up top. I agree. That strikes me as three/four signings up the spine. The reason I say gotra leave it to the gaffer (other than that's a fact), is if you're rebuilding the spine, we have no real notion, whether Collins, McAtee etc. Can play alongside them. But that to me would likely be the determinant. If they're going to sulk and piss and moan, none of them have earned that right, so fcuk 'em off.

I think we have enough "can be part of a decent team," players, but it's a real struggle to identify which they are, because they've got some decent capabilities but are far too often prone to very average or poor performances as individuals. We have a collection of tiaras, but no bugger bought the horse.

One of the reasons JDC get's plaudits, IMO, is because he does consistent at a decent, not outstanding, level. It's much more difficult as a team if you have players the look Champo on a Tuesday, then Vanarama the next Saturday, because you don't know until the cock-up that it's a Vanarama day. We have too many people looking at ceilings and ignoring it only exists if the basement can hold it up.

Think DSB posted something about 4231 etc. And I deliberately didn't respond because I don't think it's the right approach. Sure have a goal in mind as a directional thing, but we need to base it on who we get, and be adaptable. I think we've spent to long on a formations with lots of compromises, rather than adapting to what we have.

Buckle up.

[Frank Drebin]

The reality of what Schumacher now has to deal with. I presume, macatee, lolos and Randall are the three players he’s referring to.

https://x.com/bwfcfans/status/1914574231326572708?s=61

[BWFC_Insane]

Most have reached their peak and level. Looking at the squad I can think of only Morley, Tutu and maybe Toal who have the "potential" with improvements to cut it above L1. The rest have peaked. Not good if we are looking to get promoted next season with this squad.

Cut it above league 1 is a different argument though. We've floundered on that, no question. I'm of the opinion that many are capable of holding their own in a successful L1 side.

I think I'd possibly approach it two ways. Most people seem to think we need some slightly older heads, bit of mental toughness and more variety up top. I agree. That strikes me as three/four signings up the spine. The reason I say gotra leave it to the gaffer (other than that's a fact), is if you're rebuilding the spine, we have no real notion, whether Collins, McAtee etc. Can play alongside them. But that to me would likely be the determinant. If they're going to sulk and piss and moan, none of them have earned that right, so fcuk 'em off.

I think we have enough "can be part of a decent team," players, but it's a real struggle to identify which they are, because they've got some decent capabilities but are far too often prone to very average or poor performances as individuals. We have a collection of tiaras, but no bugger bought the horse.

One of the reasons JDC get's plaudits, IMO, is because he does consistent at a decent, not outstanding, level. It's much more difficult as a team if you have players the look Champo on a Tuesday, then Vanarama the next Saturday, because you don't know until the cock-up that it's a Vanarama day. We have too many people looking at ceilings and ignoring it only exists if the basement can hold it up.

Think DSB posted something about 4231 etc. And I deliberately didn't respond because I don't think it's the right approach. Sure have a goal in mind as a directional thing, but we need to base it on who we get, and be adaptable. I think we've spent to long on a formations with lots of compromises, rather than adapting to what we have.

Buckle up.

I think this nails it tbh. It’s why I was so frustrated when all Evatt talked about was tactics and systems. That was missing the point. I don’t think our failings are down to tactics.

They are as worthy has said down to lacking the fundamental basics too often. Whether you are playing a 3 a 4 or whatever pressing pattern if you aren’t solid, hard to break down with a couple of ways to score a goal at least then you won’t get far.

And these players can be that. But only sometimes. And it’s seemingly impossible to find ways to make them consistent enough that one imagines they’d achieve that over a season.

I think it’s down to a lack of physical and mental robustness but also I think the more and more I think about it I don’t think they are actually good enough. They are basically a lower league assembly of players who have had a few good spells but the fact they are in their mid twenties and haven’t been higher suggests that maybe it’s because their average isn’t good enough.

And I think as worthy says what matters in this league is more your average level than what you do every so often. We have peaked at some points but I do think it’s fleeting. We can scrap our way through some games too but again it’s fleeting. If these were more physically robust in terms of a) being stronger more physical team and b) being less injury prone then I suspect some of that average would be raised. You need to be able to keep clean sheets and score from set pieces in this league. I’d bet Wycombe, Wrexham et al have won maybe a dozen games each just in that manner. We’ve probably won about two or three. And I think that’s not down to organisation but down to our ability to take a corner and having enough big determined blokes wanting to get their head on it. You cannot coach or tactic that - not without the bare necessities.

[Worthy4England]

The reality of what Schumacher now has to deal with. I presume, macatee, lolos and Randall are the three players he’s referring to.

https://x.com/bwfcfans/status/1914574231326572708?s=61

It is a problem. We couldn't figure it at the time and I suspect most are none the wiser now.

[Frank Drebin]

The reality of what Schumacher now has to deal with. I presume, macatee, lolos and Randall are the three players he’s referring to.

https://x.com/bwfcfans/status/1914574231326572708?s=61

It is a problem. We couldn't figure it at the time and I suspect most are none the wiser now.

Indeed, Randall was the real head scratcher and on the evidence so far, would be the luxury player. At least Lolos doesnt mind a tackle and to a lesser extent Macatee. Not sure where that leaves CMG.
I'm optimistic that SS will sort it, if Sharon and the board give him similar backing to Evatt.

[jmjhb]

The reality of what Schumacher now has to deal with. I presume, macatee, lolos and Randall are the three players he’s referring to.

https://x.com/bwfcfans/status/1914574231326572708?s=61

It is a problem. We couldn't figure it at the time and I suspect most are none the wiser now.

Indeed, Randall was the real head scratcher and on the evidence so far, would be the luxury player. At least Lolos doesnt mind a tackle and to a lesser extent Macatee. Not sure where that leaves CMG.
I'm optimistic that SS will sort it, if Sharon and the board give him similar backing to Evatt.

You could argue this is what got us into the issue in the first place.

Unlike IE, SS doesn't think he runs the whole club...