Deal or no deal? - Summer 2022 Transfer gossip!

[GhostoftheBok]

I'm enjoying the fact that most of DSB's picks are absolute units.

The idea of Sarr, Santos and Diaby in a back three is hilarious. Whether it'd work as well on grass as in my head is up for debate, but the power and pace would be something to behold.

[BWFC_Insane]

Kioso is a good player but I can’t for a million years see him back here. But he’d be back three if he was imho.

[GhostoftheBok]

I'd take Kioso back in a heartbeat. It's a real shame he didn't settle here, but you can't blame him under the circumstances. If he wanted to give it another crack I'd be delighted.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'm enjoying the fact that most of DSB's picks are absolute units.

The idea of Sarr, Santos and Diaby in a back three is hilarious. Whether it'd work as well on grass as in my head is up for debate, but the power and pace would be something to behold.

Have to admit I did omit a couple of fellas who were under six foot (eg Jordan Thorniley) because, well, no. And in a couple of instances I did think "potential replacement".

But I didn't prioritise BEEF. There really aren't many centre-backs between the ages of, say, 20 to 28 whose clubs are letting them go free and who we might even vaguely realistically get (ie not Nat Phillips). Have a look for any I've missed, if you like:

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/details ... e/34463124

(you can tweak the parameters or start a new search at https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/details ... tail/suche )

Also waiting for BWFCi to steam up the M61 and berate Ryan Lowe for having the temerity to think someone could play either centre-back or wingback

Might have a look next in the other direction - players on loan in D4 who might step up.

[GhostoftheBok]

Holding a high line, physically dominating the half way line and defending on the run are the ways to rinse teams in our preferred style of play.

We'll see if we go in the direction of athletic units who can play or not, but it'd be the most effective path. Getting them in within budget may be challenging, but as I've said before "Wonky Wanderers" may come to the rescue and let us pick up lads undervalued by more orthodox systems.

[jmjhb]

I'd take Kioso back in a heartbeat. It's a real shame he didn't settle here, but you can't blame him under the circumstances. If he wanted to give it another crack I'd be delighted.

I thought Luton recalled him to play in the first team, then sent him to Northampton who were then in a higher division?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'd take Kioso back in a heartbeat. It's a real shame he didn't settle here, but you can't blame him under the circumstances. If he wanted to give it another crack I'd be delighted.

I thought Luton recalled him to play in the first team, then sent him to Northampton who were then in a higher division?

This is indeed what happened. Bree got injured so they recalled him but then sent him back out. Fair enough, he’s their player. But it does add to the idea that Jones isn’t quite sure about him.

[irie Cee Bee]

In terms of the players contracted beyond summer, which ones to do people think Evatt will definitely want to keep and which are in danger of being asked to ask to move on? We know there's speculation around Dapo and Santos, but that's in terms of other clubs wanting to buy. Which of the lads do you guys think might not fit our ambitions for next season?

Left to me they all stay. Darcy perhaps the only one who might not figure in Evatts plan. The squad upgrades will come in to replace those who are out of contract this summer.

[GhostoftheBok]

I thought Luton recalled him to play in the first team, then sent him to Northampton who were then in a higher division?

Yes, but Iles has it that he was really unhappy here and struggled. He could have come back here, but turned us down.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

In terms of the players contracted beyond summer, which ones to do people think Evatt will definitely want to keep and which are in danger of being asked to ask to move on? We know there's speculation around Dapo and Santos, but that's in terms of other clubs wanting to buy. Which of the lads do you guys think might not fit our ambitions for next season?

Left to me they all stay. Darcy perhaps the only one who might not figure in Evatts plan. The squad upgrades will come in to replace those who are out of contract this summer.

But half of those aren't in the 22-man squad. Baptiste, Gordon and Tutte are, but Greenidge, Edwards and Delf were deregistered from the 22 overage outfielders, as was Sheehan. Thomason is still underage next season but I make it we have 18 overage outfielders contracted beyond summer:

Jones, Santos, Aimson, Johnston, John
MJ, Lee, Sheehan, Dempsey, Morley
Isgrove, Kachunga, Sadlier, Darcy
Baka, Bod, Dapo, Charles

You could argue four signings is enough, but I'd want one or two more.

[BWFC_Insane]

Holding a high line, physically dominating the half way line and defending on the run are the ways to rinse teams in our preferred style of play.

We'll see if we go in the direction of athletic units who can play or not, but it'd be the most effective path. Getting them in within budget may be challenging, but as I've said before "Wonky Wanderers" may come to the rescue and let us pick up lads undervalued by more orthodox systems.

A high line is not that compatible with a back three but I mean yes it’s what we have got to aim for. Condense the pitch and it means we can box teams in.

[GhostoftheBok]

A high line is not that compatible with a back three but I mean yes it’s what we have got to aim for. Condense the pitch and it means we can box teams in.

A high line is entirely compatible with the three system we play. We've done it this season a number of times.

[jmjhb]

I thought Luton recalled him to play in the first team, then sent him to Northampton who were then in a higher division?

Yes, but Iles has it that he was really unhappy here and struggled. He could have come back here, but turned us down.

That's disappointing if true, but makes sense why his subsequent loans have been within an hour's drive

[jmjhb]

On a similar note, maybe we need to look at 'homesick' Boltonians. Ollie Norburn at Peterborough for one.

[GhostoftheBok]

That's disappointing if true, but makes sense why his subsequent loans have been within an hour's drive

It was during lockdown and he had no support network here. He's a young lad. Can't be too surprised.

[Prufrock]

Screenshot_20220425-210359_BBC Sport.jpg (613.09 KiB) Viewed 696 times

Kioso might have signed for us under Owen Coyle. Laughed out loud at this in a BBC article on Nathan Jones (Luton manager):

[GhostoftheBok]

Kioso might have signed for us under Owen Coyle. Laughed out loud at this in a BBC article on Nathan Jones (Luton manager):

Psychopaths make good managers.

"Recruitment is everything..." was entirely correct, too. If Evatt wants to be in the Prem with Bolton 5 years from now this summer could make or break that ambition. We need to see 2-3 come in who can not only get us out of this division but also play a part in getting us out of the next.

[BWFC_Insane]

A high line is not that compatible with a back three but I mean yes it’s what we have got to aim for. Condense the pitch and it means we can box teams in.

A high line is entirely compatible with the three system we play. We've done it this season a number of times.

A half decent side with mobility can more easily exploit the gaps down the channels in behind a back three than a back four. It’s obviously not impossible it just can be challenging. We manage it by going to a pseudo back four at times. Which is why RCB and LCB are crucial positions in the back three. And why Jones is very good in that role because he’s comfortable doing a half and half job.

[GhostoftheBok]

Jones, Santos, Aimson, Johnston, John
MJ, Lee, Sheehan, Dempsey, Morley
Isgrove, Kachunga, Sadlier, Darcy
Baka, Bod, Dapo, Charles

You could argue four signings is enough, but I'd want one or two more.

We need at least 4 just at the back, or at least that's how it seems to me. We could play a smaller, more versatile squad; but we got badly burnt over winter and hopefully we learn from that.

Fossey/clone, replace Gordon, replace Baps and add an additional CB/Utility if we intend to play a 3 a lot

I suppose we could do a lot of our attacking work in the youth market (Ty Simpson, please), but things are tight.

[GhostoftheBok]

We manage it by going to a pseudo back four at times.

That's how we play. Our 3s are sometimes 4s and our 4s are sometimes 3s.

We mostly managed it by having Santos on the cover against lone striker systems. We had the additional insurance against 2s.

Like I say, it's entirely compatible with the back three system WE PLAY - rather than a hypothetical back three where it doesn't work.