A tall order. Away to Blackpool , Saturday Mar 29th 3-0' clock.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

We're two points off the play offs and Reading and Huddersfield are both hardly flying either. We potted the last manager because we weren't good enough and performances have definitely improved. That should get much remain the target.

If we didn't, it's obviously far too early to start throwing around the word "failure" but it would be a mild disappointment (with lots of caveats and of course the benefit of him getting a look at the squad before the summer). Play off defeat would be about par for me.

This is where I'm at.

Been busy (gig, family) so absent from here, but I did watch the whole game (cheers as ever DJB). I don't think we're playing terribly, just need to be sharper in both boxes. I am however becoming very torn on whether I want us to go up. Obviously I'll want us to win every game but it does feel like we might benefit from a summer refit – and the playoffs would delay that by up to three weeks.

Can't help but think Schuey might have underlined Ennis's name, whatever division we're in. But I can't buy that the fanbase would have been jubilant with us signing Ashley Fletcher, who joined Blackpool having scored 3 league goals since the pandemic season.

(And yeah, I like Schon's attitude more than his output; hopefully he can find a role.)

[BWFC_Insane]

We're two points off the play offs and Reading and Huddersfield are both hardly flying either. We potted the last manager because we weren't good enough and performances have definitely improved. That should get much remain the target.

If we didn't, it's obviously far too early to start throwing around the word "failure" but it would be a mild disappointment (with lots of caveats and of course the benefit of him getting a look at the squad before the summer). Play off defeat would be about par for me.

None of this season has any reflection on Schumacher at all and I think only very silly folks would suggest it does.

It’s clear he inherited a squad massively under the required quality for the clubs ambitions and one might suggest he knew it given the subsequent changes behind the scenes. One that cost far far too much to assemble for what it was.

Evatt was not just a bad manager but he was allowed to spend resources we borrowed to build squad after squad that was never exiting this league in a million years. What we’ve got is not very good. Last season was the weakest this league is ever likely to be. A derby side in embargo and with an injury crisis went up playing Warneball automatically. You couldn’t ask for a better chance and we still blew it then lost to a nothing Oxford team in the play offs. These players aren’t it. I’m sorry but they aren’t. They aren’t in many regards as good as the ones we had but Evatt either sold or decided to replace. Whether it’s mentality or ability it doesn’t matter. They aren’t capable of producing consistently when it matters at this club. We’ve got enough evidence to know now they never ever will.

It needs one hell of a rebuild and a bunch of new ones to come in. Ideally they will be of a different stock. But the finances are scary. The decision to keep Evatt could well imo mean we are stuck as a league one side for many many years to come. And they’d only have themselves to blame.

[Worthy4England]

Hopefully something clicks.

Knowing us, that'd be his cartilage.

[BorsdaneWhite]

Without wanting to appear too negative, I’m also struggling a bit with Schön. Busy and energetic, but seems to lack quality. Especially in the attacking third.

Another player I like, but is running out of credit with Schumacher I imagine. Been in and out of the side under the new manager, but when he’s being given opportunities, he’s not taking them.

He needs to improve and find some consistency as I do believe he can be a good player

Yeah I'm not convinced. Like his hustle, but I don't think he's good enough defensively to be a left back or going forward to be a cut inside winger off the right. He's more of a LW in a 442 which no-one plays anymore, or a LWB, and Schumacher doesn't seem to fancy him there. Hopefully something clicks.

Wholly agree. I know it’s a pathetic thing to notice, but his shots and crosses are so damned weak. Keeper claims everything from both—I mean he would: has about a minute to set himself.

[Worthy4England]

I think Schumacher pointed this out in his pre-Pies presser. Talked about 33 crosses, but far too many being far too wayward.

[BWFC_Insane]

I think Schumacher pointed this out in his pre-Pies presser. Talked about 33 crosses, but far too many being far too wayward.

Also players not being in the box….he mentioned that too!

[Worthy4England]

I think Schumacher pointed this out in his pre-Pies presser. Talked about 33 crosses, but far too many being far too wayward.

Also players not being in the box….he mentioned that too!

For sure.

[BWFC_Insane]

I think Schumacher pointed this out in his pre-Pies presser. Talked about 33 crosses, but far too many being far too wayward.

Also players not being in the box….he mentioned that too!

For sure.

While he’s at it maybe he could try and sort out a striker who won’t jump….i dunno even mcginlay was getting fed up.

[boltonboris]

When you have inverted wingers who can't go both ways the ball will naturally shape towards the keeper. Doesn't matter how many you sling in. If you've got 1 striker in the box and you'r curling balls towards the keeper, you've got little chance.

Morley put 2 fantastic out-swingers in. First one Collins was free, but his mate decided to punch it instead and the second one lead to the equaliser. That's the kind of ball you want going in.. Thomo tries them from the left, but the usually end up in the stands. Johnston is pretty good at them. But really, we only have 1 or 2 players who can deliver the ball into the box with quality. Not ideal

[BWFC_Insane]

When you have inverted wingers who can't go both ways the ball will naturally shape towards the keeper. Doesn't matter how many you sling in. If you've got 1 striker in the box and you'r curling balls towards the keeper, you've got little chance.

Morley put 2 fantastic out-swingers in. First one Collins was free, but his mate decided to punch it instead and the second one lead to the equaliser. That's the kind of ball you want going in.. Thomo tries them from the left, but the usually end up in the stands. Johnston is pretty good at them. But really, we only have 1 or 2 players who can deliver the ball into the box with quality. Not ideal

Aye I did think it was frustrating how little we hit the byline but it is the inverted winger curse I guess. Also neither winger played well which didn’t help.

[TANGODANCER]

Revenge...

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/