Schumacher’s super white army

[BWFC_Insane]

Thought we need a thread for thoughts on the new manager and you know just how it all develops as it’s all ending up in match threads right now.

Prompted mainly by this.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... r-academy/

Obviously words aren’t the same as actions but seems like something that has been overlooked. I’d hope it means there is a path for Conway to get a chance over the summer to stake a claim. We have to let the youngsters have a chance to develop - we absolutely will need to still buy players but if we can bring one or two through every year or so it will make a massive difference.

[Worthy4England]

Gotta be honest, I don't really have any thoughts on new manager two weeks in. There was some interesting messaging from Markham about 12-18 months ago to say some of our support teams, B etc, had been "deprioritized" whatever that meant.

As with any manager, I'm sure I'll form an opinion at some point. Just isn't now. Not seen enough yet, not has he had any time to put his stamp on the squad. Main Plus, he talks a reasonable talk. Main Negative, it's in scouse, which I'm sure isn't an issue at this point, but should it all go horribly wrong it might be,

[TiredTrotter]

First impressions are good. He's positive, comes across as being really engaged, has tried different things, hasn't thrown the current squad under the bus, even though it might be major rebuild in summer.

It'll be interesting to see where he can get us this season, but ultimately it's next season where we'll see how good he really is.

[Bertie Wooster]

First impressions are good. He's positive, comes across as being really engaged, has tried different things, hasn't thrown the current squad under the bus, even though it might be major rebuild in summer.

It'll be interesting to see where he can get us this season, but ultimately it's next season where we'll see how good he really is.

This is a good summary for me.

[GhostoftheBok]

Players are going to leave in the summer. If the club can save some money by promoting some youngsters then that will help a lot.

There will be limited funds and every spot they can save money means more can be put into a better player somewhere else.

We have Schon. Can we promote Conway and avoid buying back-up?

We have work to do in midfield. Do we want to buy a long term player at decent whack, or is Sonny going to be a first team player in the next couple of years? If he is then we probably don't want to buy in an expensive player who blocks his pathway.

These are questions he has to answer before the summer, so looking at the various options is pretty basic.

I'm really hopeful about Conway, given he's been one of the best left-sided players in League Two this season. If we're not going to take a risk on him, with his technical and physical ability, then none of them have much a chance.

SSA is another who has a good frame and looks technically sound. He could benefit from a loan next season, but if Schumacher wants him in the squad then fine. Same goes for Inwood - albeit he doesn't look as far along just yet. In either case, them getting minutes with us in the next couple of months would help them secure league loans.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

More sensible stuff here, about the B team. Nothing groundbvreaking but it's always heartening to hear a gaffer talk about pathways for the kids. I like that he wanted to watch Sonny live.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... chumacher/

“It certainly serves a purpose from my perspective. If there are players that need minutes and game time, a bit like we've had with Chris Forino, or young Sonny Sharples-Ahmed who I hadn’t seen play live yet. It was good to see him on Tuesday and he did well.

“It was good to see a few of the other young lads who have been training with the first team in a game environment as well, so from that perspective it's beneficial.

“There's an area you need to bridge between Under-18s and first team and it’s how you balance it that is really important. If you feel as though you've got a good crop of young players that have got a chance to get in the first team but they're not quite ready, it's either through B team football or they go out into the local non-leagues and play football.

“I've done it both ways in different clubs that I've worked at, but I'm just getting to grips of how the first team are doing! I've definitely got an eye on the B team, and I’ll keep watching the players that are involved.”

[Frank Drebin]

I’m optimistic about Schumacher, but more enthusiastic about the coaching team around him. His two assistants and Schumacher have 7 promotions between them apparently. Bolton are a big club in this league and it has the ambition to do better, so, if he gets the same backing as IE had then the future looks promising for me.

[BWFC_Insane]

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ting-hint/

Schumacher has hinted that there would be a slightly different approach taken to signings made from here on in, with more emphasis on in-person scouting from the head coach and his staff.

“One hundred per cent, there has to be a blend,” he said. “You can’t just sign a player based on his data and metrics, you have to see them play, you have to get references and see what the player is like as a character, how they are going to fit in your group.

Two things here. 1) I’m moist. 2) It seems Schuey has absolutely maybe come in and said recruitment wasn’t working and wanted changes and I’m guessing that is likely why Markham has gone.

[KeyserSoze]

Bolton have gone the way of nearly every business now and have started their own podcast.

I mention this here as guest number one is the boss

https://youtu.be/FgBVcVMM_rw?si=AivY2O51qaztpSoG

[The_Gun]

Bolton have gone the way of nearly every business now and have started their own podcast.

I mention this here as guest number one is the boss

https://youtu.be/FgBVcVMM_rw?si=AivY2O51qaztpSoG

I watched this last night and enjoyed it.

I like how down to earth Schuey is, but I think his normality masks a fierce footballing intelligence. Really happy to have him at our club.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I *think* this is the best thread for Sporting Director chat...? Anyways in this week's Buff, Marc Iles is dropping a few hints, and saying we might hear quite soon.

Says it's not somebody Schumacher necessarily knows (so not Neil Dewsnip) or that you might expect - I think he said maybe not even someone who's done that role before.

But it is someone from a big, Premier League club who might have some connections with someone at BWFC. That made me think of CIty (our newish CFO, now also joint CEO since Hart left, is ex-City). In turn, that made me wonder if it was maybe Brian Barry-Murphy, who ran City's kids/academy for three years until last summer; I see he's now first-team coach at Leicester, although you could argue (1) sporting director here might be a better role especially as (2) how long is Van Nistelrooy gonna last?

[Prufrock]

I assumed he and Schumacher must have crossed paths down the road as players but Wiki suggests maybe not.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I assumed he and Schumacher must have crossed paths down the road as players but Wiki suggests maybe not.

From what I said above or from what Marc said on the pod? Fairly sure Marc said "not someone Schumacher necessarily knows" which to me was more or less explicitly ruling out Dewsnip (especially with the subsequent stuff about not having done that role before)

https://omny.fm/shows/the-buff/its-gett ... b?t=22m15s

[Prufrock]

Taking the BBM possibility, which makes sense though I initially thought might be ruled out as I assumed he and Schumacher must have crossed paths at Bury given they were both there ages. But Wiki suggests Murphy left as Schumacher joined.

Also possible Iles meant "knows" in a working together as non players way rather than wider.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Taking the BBM possibility, which makes sense though I initially thought might be ruled out as I assumed he and Schumacher must have crossed paths at Bury given they were both there ages. But Wiki suggests Murphy left as Schumacher joined.

Also possible Iles meant "knows" in a working together as non players way rather than wider.

Yeah, that's how I read it - but I must admit I didn't know, as I pondered, that BBM had joined Leicester. Could be just about anybody...

[Worthy4England]

Should I start off by being underwhelmed by the notion, or give it another chance before affirming I'm underwhelmed?

[The_Gun]

I *think* this is the best thread for Sporting Director chat...? Anyways in this week's Buff, Marc Iles is dropping a few hints, and saying we might hear quite soon.

Says it's not somebody Schumacher necessarily knows (so not Neil Dewsnip) or that you might expect - I think he said maybe not even someone who's done that role before.

But it is someone from a big, Premier League club who might have some connections with someone at BWFC. That made me think of CIty (our newish CFO, now also joint CEO since Hart left, is ex-City). In turn, that made me wonder if it was maybe Brian Barry-Murphy, who ran City's kids/academy for three years until last summer; I see he's now first-team coach at Leicester, although you could argue (1) sporting director here might be a better role especially as (2) how long is Van Nistelrooy gonna last?

Barry-Murphy is a coach, not a behind the scenes type, right? Not to say that he couldn’t change career path, but my assumption is that this person Iles is alluding to is already doing a scouting/data role for a big club.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I *think* this is the best thread for Sporting Director chat...? Anyways in this week's Buff, Marc Iles is dropping a few hints, and saying we might hear quite soon.

Says it's not somebody Schumacher necessarily knows (so not Neil Dewsnip) or that you might expect - I think he said maybe not even someone who's done that role before.

But it is someone from a big, Premier League club who might have some connections with someone at BWFC. That made me think of CIty (our newish CFO, now also joint CEO since Hart left, is ex-City). In turn, that made me wonder if it was maybe Brian Barry-Murphy, who ran City's kids/academy for three years until last summer; I see he's now first-team coach at Leicester, although you could argue (1) sporting director here might be a better role especially as (2) how long is Van Nistelrooy gonna last?

Barry-Murphy is a coach, not a behind the scenes type, right? Not to say that he couldn’t change career path, but my assumption is that this person Iles is alluding to is already doing a scouting/data role for a big club.

You're right that he's a coach, but I believe he was in charge of the whole City youth setup. So it depends what we (or more pertinently the board) see the role as being.

If we have Ludonautics on board, do we really need another spreadsheet jockey?

If the director's role is basically "oversee all football outside picking the first team", as it is as some places, it's a different skillset altogether.

As I say, could be anybody, depending on the role.

[BWFC_Insane]

I wouldn’t be shocked if the nature of the role is changing to accommodate Schumacher and his preferred way of working.

[BWFC_Insane]

New sporting director…certainly can’t say appointment lacks ambition….

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/wanderers-a ... g-director