In, Out, Shake It All About: January 2025 Transfer Window

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I saw a tweet from Nixon this morning saying ‘Bolton star wanted by Orient’. Obviously I have no intention of paying for his patreon to read the full article, but I’m guessing that’s likely Rico?

Seems to be Cogz

[The_Gun]

I saw a tweet from Nixon this morning saying ‘Bolton star wanted by Orient’. Obviously I have no intention of paying for his patreon to read the full article, but I’m guessing that’s likely Rico?

Seems to be Cogz

Hmm, interesting. I’d have thought we’d be offering him a new deal if we haven’t already.

[BWFC_Insane]

I saw a tweet from Nixon this morning saying ‘Bolton star wanted by Orient’. Obviously I have no intention of paying for his patreon to read the full article, but I’m guessing that’s likely Rico?

Seems to be Cogz

Hmm, interesting. I’d have thought we’d be offering him a new deal if we haven’t already.

I’d be doing what we can to keep Cogley. I think he’s capable of contributing in the championship and this league too. Maybe to differing degrees. But he’s been outstanding since Schuey arrived.

[sonicthewhite]

I saw a tweet from Nixon this morning saying ‘Bolton star wanted by Orient’. Obviously I have no intention of paying for his patreon to read the full article, but I’m guessing that’s likely Rico?

Seems to be Cogz

Hmm, interesting. I’d have thought we’d be offering him a new deal if we haven’t already.

I would imagine it depends on what division we're in next season. I like Cogz. Hard working, rarely injured, great engine and keeps his head down. A much better defender than given credit for and a so-so wingback. Good versatility as well. But I don't think he'd be first choice at Championship level. A good backup but not first pick. If we stay in L1 then I'd be happy for him to stay but possibly SS would be looking for a potential upgrade. Then again what manager isn't looking for upgrades across the whole squad?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I suspect we needn't worry about Orient's interest in Cogz, for a lot of reasons.

1. Iles was strongly hinting a month ago that someone had signed an extension, and deduction suggested it was JDC.
2. He may be running out of contract but he is 29 this week so he won't be rushing his next one.
3. Unlike Randell, he's not a Londoner (born in Coventry, scholl in Warwick). Apart from a loan to Crawley (which was ropcked by a broken ankle then the Covid shutdown), he's never played for a team south of Birmingham.
4. Schumacher keeps saying how he appreciates a "good lad" who'll put in the effort and not rock the boat. I don't think you can ask for more of that than Cogz gives.
5. Schumacher has happily played Cogz as right-back and wing-back. That sort of versatility isn't easy to come by.
6. Whatever division we end up in, Schumacher will probably have other areas to focus on improving.
7. Don't underestimate the importance of stability in a footballer's life. IDK if Josh has a wife and kids but it's a huge uproot to move to the other end of the country. If it were, I dunno, Brentford he might feel differently, but I doubt Orient are offering life-changing wages.
8. Orient aren't as good as us.
9. We might be going up. So might Orient, but right now you'd say that's at least a draw if not a win for us.

[Armchair Wanderer]

I've been ok Wiki a bit recently. Last season Sheehan and Cogs were in the League One team of the season. I'd imagine that players would want to move upwards, i.e. bigger stadiums with more bums on seats, or bigger leagues, or more money. The only one any of the squad might get at Orient would be the money.

Previously Santos was in the League One team of the season, and Collins was player of the season. Evatt was also manager of the month for two months last season. I don't know how the finances are currently, but Bolton seem to be attracting decent players, more than losing players they want to keep. Should there be a player they want to cash in on that's one thing, or they need a squad place for someone else, but having to sell because a player wants to go is another.

The only point about the league one team of the season is that they're probably seen as some of the better players in the league.

I had no idea who SS was particularly, other than I remember him from Wembley, but you guys seemed to think he was good at this level and above, so for him to technically drop down a division, and to really want to get this job, says a lot about the club.

[Worthy4England]

They're fair points AW. I can't recall a "next manager" poll with such a large majority for one name.

I think the point for me is not about individual players and their talents, it's about whether those are reflected in the league position at the end of the season and the manager gets the most out of the team.

I can recall in the late 80's saying to my red supporting mates that Robson was holding them back. Everything had to go through Robson (or Wilkins in part). The year the won the Prem, they had to bring him on as sub for enough appearances to get him a medal...

Santos, I rate, but if the only thing he can do is pivot it around the back 4, then there's going to be a big call to make. He was removed as Captain and got dogs abuse from some folks according to what people said on here. Will be interesting to see how that one pans out. Wouldn't be surprised if in most part Schumacher didn't have notions if who he'd want to tie down.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Santos, I rate, but if the only thing he can do is pivot it around the back 4, then there's going to be a big call to make. He was removed as Captain and got dogs abuse from some folks according to what people said on here. Will be interesting to see how that one pans out. Wouldn't be surprised if in most part Schumacher didn't have notions if who he'd want to tie down.

I think he can do more than pivot it etc. As I say, if he's allowed to concentrate on defending rather that being a Bargain-Booze Beckenbauer he's got the attributes to be more than useful, and I doubt Schumacher would wilfully overlook that option.

The big questions for me are
(1) whether he feels burnt by the late-Evatt abuse and would rather leave – possibly to wherever Evatt ends up)
(2) how much he wants – he's 30 in June so it's his last big contract
(3) whether the coaches feel he can play in a back 4 as well as a back 3 (especially with the 'free role' not marking at defensive set pieces)
(4) whether he proves himself fit enough to be worth the contract he might want.

That last point - he is now back in training but Schumacher has shown he will neither play fitness risks if there's an alternative nor kowtow to perceived 'hierarchy' of players. Rico has sometimes taken a while to get up to speed after an injury so he'll have to battle his way to a place like the rest of them - but as Forino among others has shown, the coaches are watching and willing.

[jmjhb]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

ooh hello

[Worthy4England]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

ooh hello

All of the above to your response DSB.

Santos gone in summer would be the least surprising thing for me, it's just not "felt right," since he was de-captained and getting dogs abuse, for either him or us.

[TonyDomingos]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

ooh hello

Fair enough. He's not played for almost two months, during which time, we've lost only once in the league. I like the fella, but it feels like his time here (five seasons) is done.

[sonicthewhite]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

I thought this might be the case. If that's already a given then I could only envisage him making sporadic appearances between now and the end of the season.

[The_Gun]

Shame if Santos doesn’t get the chance to prove himself under Schuey, but not much place for sentiment in this game.

Forino, Toal, Forrester and Johnstone are a good bunch of CBs, possibly even for the next level.

[BWFC_Insane]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

I imagine that’s his choice then. So we move on.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

I imagine that’s his choice then. So we move on.

Not surprised. I think the shit he got off some sections of the support really hurt him and his family. I think he's always tried his best, but I think he's subconsciously been a bit lacking for a while, if that makes sense. Hope he gets a decent gig somewhere and plays shit against us

[jmjhb]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

I imagine that’s his choice then. So we move on.

Not surprised. I think the shit he got off some sections of the support really hurt him and his family. I think he's always tried his best, but I think he's subconsciously been a bit lacking for a while, if that makes sense. Hope he gets a decent gig somewhere and plays shit against us

I believe it's this as opposed to falling out with Schuey or whatever.

[The_Gun]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

I imagine that’s his choice then. So we move on.

Not surprised. I think the shit he got off some sections of the support really hurt him and his family. I think he's always tried his best, but I think he's subconsciously been a bit lacking for a while, if that makes sense. Hope he gets a decent gig somewhere and plays shit against us

I believe it's this as opposed to falling out with Schuey or whatever.

I think it’s fairly clear now that Santos was the main victim of the tactical failings of our previous manager. All our defenders have looked completely rejuvenated under Schuey, and it’s hard to imagine that the same wouldn’t be true for Santos.

[irie Cee Bee]

I would be surprised if Cogley isn't offered a better contract to stay, whatever division we are in. He has really earned his contract, gives 100 percent every game, versitile (RB, RWB, RCH, LB, LWB), and does well. It would be foolhardy of us not to keep him.

Santos on the other hand we should move on. Clearly not happy with the abuse he has been given by fams. Was the poster boy for Evatts failed system, not his fault, and I am positive that he would do well in Schuey's system because he is a good player. Dont think he would do well in the Championship however because that would be a big step up for him. He relies on his pace to recover from any errors, BUT those Championship attackers are really fast and would get way.. A good player, but is hurting. A new start somewhereelse would suit him.

[BWFC_Insane]

Santos is 100% gone in the summer.

I imagine that’s his choice then. So we move on.

Not surprised. I think the shit he got off some sections of the support really hurt him and his family. I think he's always tried his best, but I think he's subconsciously been a bit lacking for a while, if that makes sense. Hope he gets a decent gig somewhere and plays shit against us

I believe it's this as opposed to falling out with Schuey or whatever.

I suspect it’s also a chance for one last big contract. Harder to achieve that here given the circumstances of new manager, injury and maybe not the same prevailing pressure for the club to negotiate early.

I don’t really blame him. It’s a short career he hasn’t played at a high level and he should make his money whilst he still can.