Schu me the way to Amarillo - Summer 2025 Transfer Thread

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I reckon we can move on at least 2/3 of our contracted players, and I’d anticipate we’ll bring in 3 loanees. So maybe 7 new faces in the summer - should be enough to build a team good enough to challenge for the title.

It’s not for me about building a team but being able to bring enough proper characters in to change the culture. Not sure 7 will do that.

Even for you, that's negative, Captain Buzzkill

I'm just trying to imagine John McGinlay, Gerry Taggart, Jamie Pollock, John Sheridan, Gudni Bergsson, Alan Thompson and Per Frandsen walking into a dressing room and it having no effect. Nope.

Obviously that's a very strong example but I suspect you may be clutching the pearls. It might matter more whether we can get rid of the sources of the malcontent or disillusionment. Most changing rooms, like many social groups but arguably even more so due to football's inbuilt leader-deference and herd mentality, are very malleable. If Schuey can shift one or two he sees as problems and hire three or four of 'his men' he'll be well on his way - especially if we start winning. This isn't Brian Clough at Elland Road in 1974.

[BWFC_Insane]

I reckon we can move on at least 2/3 of our contracted players, and I’d anticipate we’ll bring in 3 loanees. So maybe 7 new faces in the summer - should be enough to build a team good enough to challenge for the title.

It’s not for me about building a team but being able to bring enough proper characters in to change the culture. Not sure 7 will do that.

Even for you, that's negative, Captain Buzzkill

I'm just trying to imagine John McGinlay, Gerry Taggart, Jamie Pollock, John Sheridan, Gudni Bergsson, Alan Thompson and Per Frandsen walking into a dressing room and it having no effect. Nope.

Obviously that's a very strong example but I suspect you may be clutching the pearls. It might matter more whether we can get rid of the sources of the malcontent or disillusionment. Most changing rooms, like many social groups but arguably even more so due to football's inbuilt leader-deference and herd mentality, are very malleable. If Schuey can shift one or two he sees as problems and hire three or four of 'his men' he'll be well on his way - especially if we start winning. This isn't Brian Clough at Elland Road in 1974.

If you bring that sort in absolutely but I’m not sure there are as many these days. I mean we absolutely need some who will demand higher standards. Who will say the likes of Collins and McAtee that they are just shite lower league nothings and if they want to play for Bolton the minimum requirement is running till their legs drop off and winning the physical battles against their defenders.

That sort of thing. I don’t think it’s a group with bad apples more than just a bunch of physical and mental wallflowers. You can write down a decent team on paper with 7 arrivals for sure but I’m a bit sick of a decent team on paper that lacks the physical and mental fortitude on grass when it matters. This league we need 7/10 every week minimum. And that is much better than alternating between 9 and 5. That can’t happen. We need consistent averages from every player not moments then fades.

[Worthy4England]

I reckon we can move on at least 2/3 of our contracted players, and I’d anticipate we’ll bring in 3 loanees. So maybe 7 new faces in the summer - should be enough to build a team good enough to challenge for the title.

It’s not for me about building a team but being able to bring enough proper characters in to change the culture. Not sure 7 will do that.

There's zero point in building the team, whilst you're not changing the culture.

You say "7," might not be enough, is that 7 gnarly warriors or 3 and 4 nippy wingers with two as back--up?

If it's 7 first team starters, what position?

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Funny thing is Insano, most people don't respond well to being told you're shite. Some need and respond to a kick up the arse, others a bit of cajoling or an arm around the shoulder. The last thing we need is a bunch of Joey Bartons telling everyone to feck off and you're shite. The standards start with Schuey and he just needs a couple in the dressing room to remind folk from time to time.

You need to let go and stop getting worked up/angry. Trust in Schuey to get things done and have a super chilled summer

[Worthy4England]

Funny thing is Insano, most people don't respond well to being told you're shite. Some need and respond to a kick up the arse, others a bit of cajoling or an arm around the shoulder. The last thing we need is a bunch of Joey Bartons telling everyone to feck off and you're shite. The standards start with Schuey and he just needs a couple in the dressing room to remind folk from time to time.

You need to let go and stop getting worked up/angry. Trust in Schuey to get things done and have a super chilled summer

We don't like Evatt, we never liked Evatt, but we like Schumacher, so if he doesn't get an unlikely 7 first team starters, then it's Shazz's fault we haven't got the money, coz she gave it Evatt. I was going to say YHIHF, but will settle for WHIAB..

[BWFC_Insane]

Funny thing is Insano, most people don't respond well to being told you're shite. Some need and respond to a kick up the arse, others a bit of cajoling or an arm around the shoulder. The last thing we need is a bunch of Joey Bartons telling everyone to feck off and you're shite. The standards start with Schuey and he just needs a couple in the dressing room to remind folk from time to time.

You need to let go and stop getting worked up/angry. Trust in Schuey to get things done and have a super chilled summer

I think that is true but also we’ve had zero standards being set. Zero. Someone like Tutu probably needs some cajoling. But McAtee and Collins in particular strut round giving it large when they manage to actually score a goal yet disappear when the going gets tough. The club top to bottom is riddled with that sort of attitude imo. Bruce Rioch came in and instantly set standards. Basic standards that if I was to go through them people would cry that’s no good for modern players - which I feel is half the problem. But the man was tough. He played mind games with players and expected incredible standards.

Schuey probably isn’t like that. I don’t see him as someone who can on his own drive that sort of culture. Allardyce did it and did it through knowing when a kick up the arse was needed and knowing when some arm round the shoulder was. Parky probably like Schuey was going to need to right character of team.

I feel that’s where we are. They need proper characters who will set those standards and enable Schumacher to do the stuff he needs to do.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Funny thing is Insano, most people don't respond well to being told you're shite. Some need and respond to a kick up the arse, others a bit of cajoling or an arm around the shoulder. The last thing we need is a bunch of Joey Bartons telling everyone to feck off and you're shite. The standards start with Schuey and he just needs a couple in the dressing room to remind folk from time to time.

You need to let go and stop getting worked up/angry. Trust in Schuey to get things done and have a super chilled summer

We don't like Evatt, we never liked Evatt, but we like Schumacher, so if he doesn't get an unlikely 7 first team starters, then it's Shazz's fault we haven't got the money, coz she gave it Evatt. I was going to say YHIHF, but will settle for WHIAB..

I gave up with acronyms long before I left the corporate world. I haven't a clue what you just said

[BWFC_Insane]

Funny thing is Insano, most people don't respond well to being told you're shite. Some need and respond to a kick up the arse, others a bit of cajoling or an arm around the shoulder. The last thing we need is a bunch of Joey Bartons telling everyone to feck off and you're shite. The standards start with Schuey and he just needs a couple in the dressing room to remind folk from time to time.

You need to let go and stop getting worked up/angry. Trust in Schuey to get things done and have a super chilled summer

We don't like Evatt, we never liked Evatt, but we like Schumacher, so if he doesn't get an unlikely 7 first team starters, then it's Shazz's fault we haven't got the money, coz she gave it Evatt. I was going to say YHIHF, but will settle for WHIAB..

I mean ultimately it is whoever has been making the decisions to appoint managers isn’t it? You seem to want to say Schumacher is no good. Evatt I think we agree on. But I’m not appointing them. If it doesn’t work - it can only rest on the shoulders of those making decisions. You can say the manager is poor and they will leave - but that’s as far as their accountability can ever go. You can slate the players but they will also leave and have no accountability ultimately. Like it or not. Not unlike the banks discussion this….

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I think that is true but also we’ve had zero standards being set. Zero. Someone like Tutu probably needs some cajoling. But McAtee and Collins in particular strut round giving it large when they manage to actually score a goal yet disappear when the going gets tough. The club top to bottom is riddled with that sort of attitude imo. Bruce Rioch came in and instantly set standards. Basic standards that if I was to go through them people would cry that’s no good for modern players - which I feel is half the problem. But the man was tough. He played mind games with players and expected incredible standards.

Schuey probably isn’t like that. I don’t see him as someone who can on his own drive that sort of culture. Allardyce did it and did it through knowing when a kick up the arse was needed and knowing when some arm round the shoulder was. Parky probably like Schuey was going to need to right character of team.

I feel that’s where we are. They need proper characters who will set those standards and enable Schumacher to do the stuff he needs to do.

The world has changed a lot since Rioch and even Allardyce. Younger folk have grown up in a very different world to you and I and all the finger pointing and shouting in the world isn't going to work with most of them. I'm not saying players don't need a kick up the arse, just there are different ways of achieving what we all want. I think Schuey knows what is needed.

I know you're passionate about BWFC, but for your own well being you need to chill a bit. Evatt is gone. Some of the players will be gone soon. We have cause for optimism. I doubt everything is going to be rosy, but on the bright side we no longer have someone telling us we morally won and if we just pass the ball sideways a bit more we'll win the World Cup

[BWFC_Insane]

I think that is true but also we’ve had zero standards being set. Zero. Someone like Tutu probably needs some cajoling. But McAtee and Collins in particular strut round giving it large when they manage to actually score a goal yet disappear when the going gets tough. The club top to bottom is riddled with that sort of attitude imo. Bruce Rioch came in and instantly set standards. Basic standards that if I was to go through them people would cry that’s no good for modern players - which I feel is half the problem. But the man was tough. He played mind games with players and expected incredible standards.

Schuey probably isn’t like that. I don’t see him as someone who can on his own drive that sort of culture. Allardyce did it and did it through knowing when a kick up the arse was needed and knowing when some arm round the shoulder was. Parky probably like Schuey was going to need to right character of team.

I feel that’s where we are. They need proper characters who will set those standards and enable Schumacher to do the stuff he needs to do.

The world has changed a lot since Rioch and even Allardyce. Younger folk have grown up in a very different world to you and I and all the finger pointing and shouting in the world isn't going to work with most of them. I'm not saying players don't need a kick up the arse, just there are different ways of achieving what we all want. I think Schuey knows what is needed.

I know you're passionate about BWFC, but for your own well being you need to chill a bit. Evatt is gone. Some of the players will be gone soon. We have cause for optimism. I doubt everything is going to be rosy, but on the bright side we no longer have someone telling us we morally won and if we just pass the ball sideways a bit more we'll win the World Cup

I agree that the world is different but half the problem is that is used as an excuse. It was by the last bloke. Sure - the days of hitting a player full on in the face with a studded boot might be long gone and nobody wants that but the players need to be able to build resilience. And there does need to be many more standards. I think that can be done without going Bruce Rioch about it and will ultimately have to be as it’s not Scumacher’s way. But we need a fair few mentally and physically robust types who also want to lead by example I feel. The culture won’t change until there is a sort of groundswell of players of that type who drag the rest with them.

[Worthy4England]

Oh for God's sake.

Mate. Tell us who replaceS FV. There wasn't a queue in the 80's, we struck lucky with Eddie, then we had Ken, now we've got FV.

Under FV the trend prior to this year, was always upwards (irrespective of whether I liked the football we play - I didn't under Evatt)

So which Bassini do you have lined up with your "shouldn't have spent money for 2 windows" approach?

Lots of stuff you and I agree on. Not keen on style of football, signed glass cannons etc. Etc. But the only place we can go from this point is "elsewhere," be that forwards or backwards.

Stop being ridiculous.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I agree that the world is different but half the problem is that is used as an excuse. It was by the last bloke. Sure - the days of hitting a player full on in the face with a studded boot might be long gone and nobody wants that but the players need to be able to build resilience. And there does need to be many more standards. I think that can be done without going Bruce Rioch about it and will ultimately have to be as it’s not Scumacher’s way. But we need a fair few mentally and physically robust types who also want to lead by example I feel. The culture won’t change until there is a sort of groundswell of players of that type who drag the rest with them.

Blokes that harp on about the good old days...

We just need some new faces that can drag the rest along, rather than the mono culture of the last regime. I'm not saying McAtee and Collins are the answer, but I suspect they can be enthusiastic buyer-inners with a couple of cajolers. Time for optimism.

[BWFC_Insane]

Oh for God's sake.

Mate. Tell us who replaceS FV. There wasn't a queue in the 80's, we struck lucky with Eddie, then we had Ken, now we've got FV.

Under FV the trend prior to this year, was always upwards (irrespective of whether I liked the football we play - I didn't under Evatt)

So which Bassini do you have lined up with your "shouldn't have spent money for 2 windows" approach?

Lots of stuff you and I agree on. Not keen on style of football, signed glass cannons etc. Etc. But the only place we can go from this point is "elsewhere," be that forwards or backwards.

Stop being ridiculous.

I think that is quite a different point - nobody is saying you can ‘replace the owners’ because they got stuff wrong. But it’s ridiculous to suggest that if it doesn’t work that they are not culpable. What that means is they need to learn and improve their decision making and maybe take advice from better people.

I think there is a big difference in saying ‘broadly they are running the business well’ and making the right decisions or choices on the football side. And the answer can’t be ‘they’ve put the money in so whatever happens they are blameless’.

[Worthy4England]

You don't think Sharon is taking advice? I reckon she is, even if I think some of it is complete emperors new clothes n bullshit. You only have to look at our last 4 years transfer threads to read some of the absolute bollocks.

[BWFC_Insane]

You don't think Sharon is taking advice? I reckon she is, even if I think some of it is complete emperors new clothes n bullshit. You only have to look at our last 4 years transfer threads to read some of the absolute bollocks.

I suspect she’s taken loads of advice - I’m not sure I would recommend she continues to take it from the same sources!

[Worthy4England]

Me neither. On the plus side, we're nearing a summer transfer thread, where we'll get shitloads. Again.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Got bored, and nosed at third-tier freebies again. Some interesting names, which is not the same as recommendations

I'll do Champo when I can be arsed, which won't be for a while as I'm off on me jollibobs for a bit

MALLIK WILKS (26) Six-footer who can play any of the front four roles (9, 10, 11, 7) and has played in them all on loan for Rotherham this season. Has second-tier experience, plus pace and physicality; also has previous, for affray and assault occasioning ABH when he was 18. His 9 goals in 40 Rotherham league games this season make it 42 in 145 (plus 25 assists) at this level for Donny, Hull, Rotherham and parent club Sheffield Wednesday; last week Pete O'Rourke linked him with Konyaspor, Levski Sofia and Aris Limassol, and with Wednesday in flux – he's one of 10 players out of contract, while manager Danny Rohl is admired by Leipzig and Southampton – it looks like he'll leave.

RYAN SWEENEY (28) If you want a big brave centre-back, Sweeney's your man. He's the Burton dude who barrelled half of our team into Baxter's net to equalise this season; a month later he was hospitalised after blocking a goalbound shot with his head, prompting Gary Bowyer to praise "an incredible act of bravery" from "a warrior with a capital W". He's 6ft4, left-footed, out of contract and has two promotions already, albeit from our fourth tier and Scotland's second.

EOGHAN O'CONNELL (30 in August) A Parky centre-back! Captains Wrexham when McClean's out! Promotion experience so fresh it's still minty! May well be kept on (but may well not – he has no second-tier experience and you know how people get upset about that).

MATTHEW PENNINGTON (30) Former Everton centre-back who played three loan seasons in the second tier before signing for third-tier Shrewsbury in 2020. In this division ever since and Blackpool fans tend to have him pegged as fine but improvable. I mention him because Schumacher was interested after Plymouth were promoted but the Warrington-born stopper stayed up north.

JOSH RUFFELS (31) LB or LWB now at Huddersfield after a fair few years at Oxford, where he was known for his energy and commitment. "Solid" probably the word.

RANDELL WILLIAMS (28) He only signed a six-month contract. Evatt, who'd presumably made clear he didn't want to extend his Bolton deal, has gone and the new man wants wingers. Has second-tier experience. Weirder things have happened.

[Worthy4England]

In terms of CBs, I'd like some nous. Understanding that players score, not spaces. If fooball bounces in your 6 yard box, that's generally unlikely to end well. That shirt tugs and holding happens, you need to be there first then worry about it later, because relying on the officials isn't going to cut it. That if we're holding a line, we hold until after the ball has been played.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Ilesy running a piece that Baxter “looks likely” to leave and that Schumacher will need/want a new senior goalkeeper as at least competition for Southwood. (Suggests Coleman will leave and Hutchinson may get an extension.)
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... on-summer/

[BWFC_Insane]

Ilesy running a piece that Baxter “looks likely” to leave and that Schumacher will need/want a new senior goalkeeper as at least competition for Southwood. (Suggests Coleman will leave and Hutchinson may get an extension.)
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... on-summer/

Imagine that we aren’t in a position where we want to tie up the wages it would take to keep Baxter given the need for additions more generally. I suspect that he’s not quite done enough for the club to want to sink in that much.

Still I’m nowhere near convinced on Southwood and I think we need a more physical keeper who commands their box and comes for set pieces and crosses.