Tooling up: The summer 2024 transfer thread

[BWFC_Insane]

We could flip back to a 352, particularly if the two new wing backs are a step up on last seasons. We got 93 points last season and consensus is we’ve upgraded. Wouldn’t need another signing although there’s the argument about whether we’ve replaced Maghoma.

I think the record post Christmas and into this season tells a story though. We increasingly were found out last season.

I think broadly it comes down to - when you have a Dapo or two or an Ameobi and a Clough - players that can run at teams - bang a 30 yarder in, put a cross in right into the danger area from nowhere - operating out wide able to drift in - find space and isolate players - whatever the system it’s hard to stop - you just have to hope those players don’t produce in a game. Because sit deep and they can hurt you. Press and they can exploit spaces behind.

Our problem is that we don’t have those types in the squad. People who stretch teams and beat players and can score or create. Collins and McAtee both can do those things but to me are more support striker types. They aren’t going to trouble a set defence too often. Whereas Dapo or Ameobi or those sorts of players could, and did. When on form.

[GhostoftheBok]

Yep, I do. Not breaking our neck for it, but I think we have a list of players we like and if they become available then we might move to get them. Doesn't mean it will happen, but things do happen toward the end of transfer windows.

As I say, it's out of our hands - but we will have registered our interest, the phone will be on, and if Johnny Kickball comes available, we'll give it due consideration.

This is essentially what Evatt has said.

It sounds like we've gone through our lists and we've either been told "no" or "maybe later", so we are now sat here hoping

It's the position you never want to be in. You know you need something, but it's completely out of your hands.

That or we're lying in public as cover for something - but that's more hope than expectation.

The thing is that even if it's about saving his job (I think he probably feels pretty secure, actually) or promotion, I don't think Evatt is going to spend £1m+ just to get *someone* and he might feel there's nothing in the loan market that improves us.

We currently have 2 fit (or nearly fit) bodies for every position and 3 out for a good while.

Has anyone heard anything on Lolos and the need for surgery? Have I missed an update?

[BWFC_Insane]

Yep, I do. Not breaking our neck for it, but I think we have a list of players we like and if they become available then we might move to get them. Doesn't mean it will happen, but things do happen toward the end of transfer windows.

As I say, it's out of our hands - but we will have registered our interest, the phone will be on, and if Johnny Kickball comes available, we'll give it due consideration.

This is essentially what Evatt has said.

It sounds like we've gone through our lists and we've either been told "no" or "maybe later", so we are now sat here hoping

It's the position you never want to be in. You know you need something, but it's completely out of your hands.

That or we're lying in public as cover for something - but that's more hope than expectation.

The thing is that even if it's about saving his job (I think he probably feels pretty secure, actually) or promotion, I don't think Evatt is going to spend £1m+ just to get *someone* and he might feel there's nothing in the loan market that improves us.

We currently have 2 fit (or nearly fit) bodies for every position and 3 out for a good while.

Has anyone heard anything on Lolos and the need for surgery? Have I missed an update?

With the money he’s spent not just this season but the past few and numbers he’s been able to recruit if there is someone substantive missing on the squad then that’s on him. Can hardly say he’s not been backed - he’s had more relative financial back than any Bolton manager going back a long long way.

[GhostoftheBok]

We have two #10s in this squad. They're injured.

You can spend as much as you like. If your lad gets two-footed, or his achilles explodes, that's that.

[Mar]

Maybe we're in the market for a CM that will drastically increase our chances this season. It's slow going as we're fishing in a very competitive pond and we're being outdone by better sides.

It'll be interesting to see what we end up with and how that'll shape Evatt's thinking around our formation. As it stands, we're seemingly top heavy and light in midfield. No wonder Morley was looking for gametime elsewhere, hard to break into a side thats only got two in midfield.

By my count we have 5 centre midfield players. Quality nott withstanding - just how many do you want?

Thomason, Dempsey, Sheehan, Matete, Lolos (injured), Morley (out on loan), CMG (injured)

That's four fit midfields, unless i've missed someone. Ideal scenario 2 players per position, and covering players from other positions (CMG as covering mid for instance).

As it stands, we've got 2 CM positions which gives us that 2 players per position. Sadly if we need to change to strengthen midfield by having 3 in the centre, we'd be looking short . I'm not picturing our strikers as midfielders, maybe you are.

It seems that if we have 4 midfielders for a 38 game season, that we'll end up short and having to play, the 5-2-3 formation we've seen because we don't have decent enough rotation for the middle to change things.

[Mar]

Do you think we are in the sort of place where we are really trying to sign more?

Yep, I do. Not breaking our neck for it, but I think we have a list of players we like and if they become available then we might move to get them. Doesn't mean it will happen, but things do happen toward the end of transfer windows.

As I say, it's out of our hands - but we will have registered our interest, the phone will be on, and if Johnny Kickball comes available, we'll give it due consideration.

I think we'll aim for another youth team player trying to redo the Maghoma play.

[GhostoftheBok]

I think Insane's 5 includes Arfield, Mar.

[BWFC_Insane]

We have two #10s in this squad. They're injured.

You can spend as much as you like. If your lad gets two-footed, or his achilles explodes, that's that.

He signed Arfield to play there. Mcatee to play there. So yes it’s a shame Lolos is injured but these things happen. To all managers. CMG being injured was a known quantity and he appears to be ahead of schedule.

He’s been backed royally and cannot complain. He’s been able to sign multiple teams and even replace them. If there are gaps - he can’t look at anyone but himself.

[GhostoftheBok]

Matete is looking much more like himself for us than he did for Oxford. In this system he can be a huge player. He's still rusty and you'd expect that, but I was pleased with him tonight and will happily see him start any game.

Sheehan, Thommo and Matete as nailed-on #6s.

McAtee and Collins as #10s.

Dempsey and Arfield as options for both roles, depending on the game and how we need to play.

It's good. You throw Lolos back in (hopefully sooner, rather than later) and it's very close.

I'm not fussed about discussions about Evatt in or out, I'm fussed about winning games. Evatt is currently here, so he needs to win the games.

The skillset that's missing is the classic #10. I'd like to see Evatt have every tool in the toolbox, as we are more likely to get promoted.

[officer_dibble]

Collins doesn’t look happy in this system. Came on up top tonight. Not sure it is getting the best out of him at all yet.

[GhostoftheBok]

Collins doesn’t look happy in this system. Came on up top tonight. Not sure it is getting the best out of him at all yet.

I think he's just trying too hard. He's never had this much pressure on his position in a squad before.

Should be fine once he calms down.

[TANGODANCER]

Just a couple of comments, too many new faces for analysis yet. The signs are positive though:

There just must be interest in George from any scouts/managers watching the game last night, he was at the heart of everything. . We're lucky to have him safely installed. I still worry about big Ric. His main failing for me is his positional sense as a defender. He's no Bruno, who seemed to know instinctively where the ball was coming from and be there to meet it. Ric is a great defender in the air and on the ground, but his pace means he shouldn't go "a-roving" quite so much.

A point for consideration: The opposition goals are dead centre on the pitch. Why do we seem to always go for "coastal attacks" when a direct "down the middle" attack may well be the ticket occasionally? Even from kick off we always seem to do a jigsaw puzzle that does little except cost time and energy. Collins. Dion, Vic and a few more might benefit from a "shoot on sight" occasionally. We have no J.J's who was big Sam's main reason for banning it. It may be the reason our "strikers" don't strike much.Our set piece attacks are also lacking in any real threat. Okay, that's it.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Journo Fraser Gillan saying Stoke might turf out Lewis Baker and Daniel Johnson. Either of those tickle your fancy, Ghost? (Yes, I'm bored.)

[BWFC_Insane]

Pretty sure we aren’t signing anyone else in this window.

Suspect the intrigue will be who is leaving.

[GhostoftheBok]

Journo Fraser Gillan saying Stoke might turf out Lewis Baker and Daniel Johnson. Either of those tickle your fancy, Ghost? (Yes, I'm bored.)

Not for me, no. I don't think we're putting big money (including wages) into that #6 grouping. Johnson would be an interesting one as a "We're just signing to have a go now", but I don't think he's what we're after.

As Insane says, a lot might depend on who goes.

We've looked at Cheick Diabate at Exeter before and he's been made available. If Iredale were to go maybe we'd look at him again?

At the minute we have got to make some more space before we bring senior ones in.

[GhostoftheBok]

Pretty sure we aren’t signing anyone else in this window.

Out of interest, do you think that's the case regardless of who goes?

[The_Gun]

Pretty sure we aren’t signing anyone else in this window.

Out of interest, do you think that's the case regardless of who goes?

I can’t speak for Insano, but I think we’d all agree that if someone like Vic were to go then we’d look to sign a replacement.

[GhostoftheBok]

I can’t speak for Insano, but I think we’d all agree that if someone like Vic were to go then we’d look to sign a replacement.

Oh, yeah. Sorry, that was me phrasing the question poorly.

I meant if any of the ones we've made available went, but you're spot on.

[The_Gun]

I can’t speak for Insano, but I think we’d all agree that if someone like Vic were to go then we’d look to sign a replacement.

Oh, yeah. Sorry, that was me phrasing the question poorly.

I meant if any of the ones we've made available went, but you're spot on.

Are we assuming that’s Iredale and Dan?

I’d say it’s very possible we’d replace neither, but more likely we’d look to bring someone in if we move Jack on.

[GhostoftheBok]

Are we assuming that’s Iredale and Dan?

I’d say it’s very possible we’d replace neither, but more likely we’d look to bring someone in if we move Jack on.

Those are the players least likely to get minutes, you'd think - along with Coleman, obviously.

I suppose Williams is possible, for reasons mentioned earlier.

Even Jones could be, given that it could be the case that both Toal and Forino are ahead of him now.