Schu me the way to Amarillo - Summer 2025 Transfer Thread

[BWFC_Insane]

The Vic who won't be fully fit till December and may not even be registered? Forgive me if I sadly fold away the bunting....

It's a difficult one. I completely agree - I'd be surprised if we splurge big on another striker. But IMO we need someone (new) who can play up top. It may be a different type - speedy - but if we don't, I will be disappointed. And worried.

Indeed. Can’t risk Dalby being the only one who is able to lead the line.

I dunno, could be memory playing tricks, but we only had one SKD. He very rarely got injured for any length of time...

We had backup - often not the best backup but we still had it. Likes of Les Ferdinand, Borgetti etc…and of course ultimately signed Anelka.

Fair point. Don't recall Borgetti playing in the league much?

Going back further to when we were hanging around the lower leagues, we had Mixu as the 9 with Mcginley, Coyle and De Freitas. Diddsy was the provider. Mcginley was a goal scorer and Coyle chipped in with a few.
Starting the season with just Dalby and Macatee is nowhere near enough.

Great minds or something….haha

[Frank Drebin]

The Vic who won't be fully fit till December and may not even be registered? Forgive me if I sadly fold away the bunting....

It's a difficult one. I completely agree - I'd be surprised if we splurge big on another striker. But IMO we need someone (new) who can play up top. It may be a different type - speedy - but if we don't, I will be disappointed. And worried.

Indeed. Can’t risk Dalby being the only one who is able to lead the line.

I dunno, could be memory playing tricks, but we only had one SKD. He very rarely got injured for any length of time...

We had backup - often not the best backup but we still had it. Likes of Les Ferdinand, Borgetti etc…and of course ultimately signed Anelka.

Fair point. Don't recall Borgetti playing in the league much?

Going back further to when we were hanging around the lower leagues, we had Mixu as the 9 with Mcginley, Coyle and De Freitas. Diddsy was the provider. Mcginley was a goal scorer and Coyle chipped in with a few.
Starting the season with just Dalby and Macatee is nowhere near enough.

Great minds or something….haha

Indeed!

[Frank Drebin]

This is from Marc Iles this morning.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... quad-week/

Schumacher says in the article he thinks we can add one or two more before the players report back for pre season training. Well they report back tomorrow the 24th.

[HMX]

We should be expecting to hear about outgoings soon, right? … right?

[Frank Drebin]

We should be expecting to hear about outgoings soon, right? … right?

We let 7 players leave at season end plus Collins has been sold, so 8 out.
We’ve brought in 5 players so, I’m guessing they’ll want a couple in before some leave.

[BWFC_Insane]

We should be expecting to hear about outgoings soon, right? … right?

We let 7 players leave at season end plus Collins has been sold, so 8 out.
We’ve brought in 5 players so, I’m guessing they’ll want a couple in before some leave.

Schumacher has said we need players to leave as he wants a squad of 22.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

This is from Marc Iles this morning.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... quad-week/

Schumacher says in the article he thinks we can add one or two more before the players report back for pre season training. Well they report back tomorrow the 24th.

Couple of things here. I suspect the interview was last week when Schuey and Harkin had a little open day, so the market may have shifted. Also, i think they're reporting tomorrow for a weigh-in (etc - physical checks) rather than actual training per se, so he might get a day or two extra on a technicality

The other thing to mention is the second half of Schuey's quote: “We still feel we can add potentially one or two more before the players come in for pre-season. There are obviously going to be players who will leave as well, knowing that their game time will be limited."

I suspect we'll soon get to the "You still here?" stage of conversations.

[BWFC_Insane]

This is from Marc Iles this morning.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... quad-week/

Schumacher says in the article he thinks we can add one or two more before the players report back for pre season training. Well they report back tomorrow the 24th.

Couple of things here. I suspect the interview was last week when Schuey and Harkin had a little open day, so the market may have shifted. Also, i think they're reporting tomorrow for a weigh-in (etc - physical checks) rather than actual training per se, so he might get a day or two extra on a technicality

The other thing to mention is the second half of Schuey's quote: “We still feel we can add potentially one or two more before the players come in for pre-season. There are obviously going to be players who will leave as well, knowing that their game time will be limited."

I suspect we'll soon get to the "You still here?" stage of conversations.

Yeah I suspect he probably means around the start of pre season training which I believe is end of this week start of next rather than the sort of check stuff that happens before and even then as you say stuff changes all the time.

[Worthy4England]

The Vic who won't be fully fit till December and may not even be registered? Forgive me if I sadly fold away the bunting....

It's a difficult one. I completely agree - I'd be surprised if we splurge big on another striker. But IMO we need someone (new) who can play up top. It may be a different type - speedy - but if we don't, I will be disappointed. And worried.

Indeed. Can’t risk Dalby being the only one who is able to lead the line.

I dunno, could be memory playing tricks, but we only had one SKD. He very rarely got injured for any length of time...

We had backup - often not the best backup but we still had it. Likes of Les Ferdinand, Borgetti etc…and of course ultimately signed Anelka.

Fair point. Don't recall Borgetti playing in the league much?

Going back further to when we were hanging around the lower leagues, we had Mixu as the 9 with Mcginley, Coyle and De Freitas. Diddsy was the provider. Mcginley was a goal scorer and Coyle chipped in with a few.
Starting the season with just Dalby and Macatee is nowhere near enough.

Great minds or something….haha

Indeed!

You're always going to be better off with spares than without. Don't have a problem with that - it was very specifically SKD, I mentioned, because he generally lasted 38 League games.

I think the game is simpler with a "2 up top" than a "we might be a three, sometimes a four and occasionally on an overload a 5-6-7" with indeterminate positions that no fcuker can quite work out - I mean it's great when their team doesn't know where your team are playing, but last season, it looked like our team didn't know either - as often evidenced on here with a could be this or could be that and if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

It's sounding more hopeful that we might simplify the attacking element by flogging a few - not sure how you'd describe them on e-bay but if we can't then we might need to get McAtee introduced to Dalby and hope Vic can cover too.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

One option might - and I stress this is just me spitballing - be Dara Costelloe. Last summer Burnley sent the Irishman on loan to Accy, where he scored 5 in 21 from a combination of up top and left-wing; Burney fast-tracked him up a division to Northampton, where Nobby kept him up front and he scored 5 in 16.

Leyton Orient are interested and were hoping to get him for a low price. MK Dons have now loomed into view, but I wonder if he'd fancy a move to us. Could be useful in a couple of positions, we're local, big club...

Obviously Fergal might think his fellow Irishman is a bag o'shite, but I'm just saying there's options around and they needn't be either Must Play Every Game or a wet-eared greenhorn.

ITK
Azitbindun

Nixon says Wigan have "joined the race" for Costelloe... soon it'll be Blackpool, Reading and an unnamed foreign club

[The_Gun]

We should be expecting to hear about outgoings soon, right? … right?

The players I think might leave this summer, in descending order of confidence:

Lolos - Schumacher clearly doesn't rate him, but he hasn't been horrific since he's been with us, is fairly young, and isn't a walking injury. At the very worst I think a club would take him on loan and cover his full wages, but I could definitely see a L2 or lower half L1 team paying £100k to sign him permanently.

Dan - far less appealing for other clubs than Lolos, but the gaffer has openly stated that he can leave, so it must be likely that he will be gone sooner rather than later. A loan with us subsidising some of his wages perhaps most likely.

CMG - I suspect the plan will be for him to go this summer, but his injury history might make that tricky. He does appear to be a talented lad, so I could see him having suitors, and maybe an initial 6 month loan with a view to a permanent move might suit all parties.

Johnston - Schuey seems to like him well enough, but the signing of Taylor and seeming shift to a back four looks to have made it difficult for GJ to remain a regular starter. I'm sure we'd find a buyer if we decided to quietly shop him.

Schön - never appeared to have gained Schumacher's confidence, and I reckon the boss would be open to selling him if we could get close to what we paid back.

One of Morley, Sheehan and Thomason - presumably Simons will take up a starting berth in the centre of the park, so these three will be competing for one slot. I don't think SS would be actively trying to get rid of any of them, but from a pragmatic point of view it might make sense to free up a squad space if any decent bids come in.

[Bijou Bob]

I suspect we'll be keeping Schõn, but otherwise, no disagreement from me on the above. I suspect we'll get bids in for Morley based on last season at Wycombe, where he was a stand out performer but he's the only one of the above midfield 3 I'd want to keep. Tomo can do a job, but I'll be gutted if we don't move Sheehan on.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I suspect we'll be keeping Schõn, but otherwise, no disagreement from me on the above.

Aye, I can't decide whether Schuey played Schon through sheer lack of alternatives or if he likes his pluck and guts (and thinks he can coach him to be less gormless). Certainly he's not a priority to move on considering we're so short of wingers. I'm sure we have a shopping list, and if we could get several of them plus a decent offer for Szabi, the deal could be done. But it's clearly an 'if' you wouldn't want to drop on your toe.

I suspect we'll get bids in for Morley based on last season at Wycombe, where he was a stand out performer but he's the only one of the above midfield 3 I'd want to keep. Tomo can do a job, but I'll be gutted if we don't move Sheehan on.

I said after last season's wet-fart ending that there were a small number of players I'd be sad to see leave speaking as a fan, a small number of players I'd be sad to see leave tactically, and Morley was the only one in both camps. No change there. I'd also keep Thomo as he's keen to learn, left-footed, won't kick up a fuss if not in the XI. That leaves Sheehan, who personally I like but tactically was the fulcrum of the failed Evattball. He's probably also on one of our biggest wages, is 30 now, and is contracted for two more years. If anyone wants him - and I suspect Brian Barry-Murphy's Cardiff makes sense in some ways - I think Schumacher would listen.

[Harry Genshaw]

We should be expecting to hear about outgoings soon, right? … right?

The players I think might leave this summer, in descending order of confidence:

Lolos - Schumacher clearly doesn't rate him, but he hasn't been horrific since he's been with us, is fairly young, and isn't a walking injury. At the very worst I think a club would take him on loan and cover his full wages, but I could definitely see a L2 or lower half L1 team paying £100k to sign him permanently.

Dan - far less appealing for other clubs than Lolos, but the gaffer has openly stated that he can leave, so it must be likely that he will be gone sooner rather than later. A loan with us subsidising some of his wages perhaps most likely.

CMG - I suspect the plan will be for him to go this summer, but his injury history might make that tricky. He does appear to be a talented lad, so I could see him having suitors, and maybe an initial 6 month loan with a view to a permanent move might suit all parties.

Johnston - Schuey seems to like him well enough, but the signing of Taylor and seeming shift to a back four looks to have made it difficult for GJ to remain a regular starter. I'm sure we'd find a buyer if we decided to quietly shop him.

Schön - never appeared to have gained Schumacher's confidence, and I reckon the boss would be open to selling him if we could get close to what we paid back.

One of Morley, Sheehan and Thomason - presumably Simons will take up a starting berth in the centre of the park, so these three will be competing for one slot. I don't think SS would be actively trying to get rid of any of them, but from a pragmatic point of view it might make sense to free up a squad space if any decent bids come in.

Good summary Gun - agree with much of that.

Lolos - I'm sure there's a player in there but we've yet to see it and clearly SS doesn't fancy him.

Poor Dan. You can't fault his enthusiasm but if ever a transfer were to sum up Evatt's ego and judgement, it'd be Dan's purchase after an indifferent loan spell. He'd had hamstring issues before he arrived, got injured with it almost immediately, but then just as he appeared to be hitting form, and the back of the net, he tweaked it again during a twice taken penalty. I can see him being here, not registered, until Xmas. Then some desperate L2 club might take him on loan.

CMG - If (a huge if) he stays fit, then I think he could play a big part for us. He's got the ability, has he got the desire and the robustness we're looking for? If not, he could be in a similar position to Dan, with clubs unwilling to give a squad place to a sick note.

Johnston - He can go for me. Love the guy but he's not been the same since his injury.

[BWFC_Insane]

Describing Schon as a winger seems very generous to me. I mean he was played there same way Collins was played as a number 9 but he was absolutely useless in that role.

No real pace. Poor delivery. Can’t finish for toffee. Apart from that he has two legs so I guess he can stand that side of the pitch.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Describing Schon as a winger seems very generous to me. I mean he was played there same way Collins was played as a number 9 but he was absolutely useless in that role.

No real pace. Poor delivery. Can’t finish for toffee. Apart from that he has two legs so I guess he can stand that side of the pitch.

I won't die defending Schon, but if we kicked off tomorrow and I had to pick the XI he'd be in a wide role. Who'd be in yours? <answer open to all>

[The_Gun]

Describing Schon as a winger seems very generous to me. I mean he was played there same way Collins was played as a number 9 but he was absolutely useless in that role.

No real pace. Poor delivery. Can’t finish for toffee. Apart from that he has two legs so I guess he can stand that side of the pitch.

Yeah I agree, although if we are going to play him on the wing, please let it exclusively be the left wing. The idea of ‘inverting’ wingers with players who can’t shoot on their good feet, and absolutely can’t cross with their weaker feet, makes zero sense.

[BWFC_Insane]

Describing Schon as a winger seems very generous to me. I mean he was played there same way Collins was played as a number 9 but he was absolutely useless in that role.

No real pace. Poor delivery. Can’t finish for toffee. Apart from that he has two legs so I guess he can stand that side of the pitch.

I won't die defending Schon, but if we kicked off tomorrow and I had to pick the XI he'd be in a wide role. Who'd be in yours? <answer open to all>

I don’t think he’s a winger and our issue is we don’t have any really. He only played there as we had nobody else but that’s not saying I think he is any good in the role. If we want to go up I’d be shocked if Schon as a regular winger gets us close. Maybe he will improve.

[Prufrock]

If I had to pick an XI tomorrow it's probably a FourFourF*ckingTwo, and wouldn't fill me with confidence.

TSL (I assume I'm allowed him for this thought experiment )

JDC - Total - Forino/Taylor - Conway

JOT - Morley -Simmons/Thomo - Schon

McAtee - Dalby.

Work to be done!

[truewhite15]

If I was picking tomorrow...

TSL in goal

JDC - Toal - Taylor - Conway

Simons

JOT - Morley - Tomo - Schon

Dalby

If we're playing those two wide players slightly higher and slightly narrower, then I'd swap Schon for McAtee.

Clear that massive work is needed in wide areas, both defensive and attacking, and in the CF department for depth...