ARE Bolton Wanderers a stronger proposition than they were before the January transfer window? The answer is more complicated than just ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Predictable sadness resonated throughout social media on Monday night as no new players were added to Steven Schumacher’s roster, with the late sales of Randell Williams and Scott Arfield providing little distraction.
It was an uneventful end to a dramatic few weeks in which Wanderers changed managers, sold their top scorer of the previous two seasons, spent their largest transfer fee in a decade, and still ended up five points closer to the play-off places than they were on New Year’s Day.
Fans had hoped that Steven Schumacher’s appointment as head coach, announced just days before deadline day, would provide a personal touch to the squad. The only signing made following his hiring, Cardiff City loanee Kion Etete, was in transit during Ian Evatt’s final days, and the striker’s underwhelming debut as a substitute at Reading did little to alleviate mounting worries about the club’s recruitment techniques.
Taking a step back from the drama of deadline day, where frenetic late deals are celebrated and smart, logical preparation is frequently depicted as dull, fans may be surprised to find that Wanderers truly feel in a better position now than they were at the start of January.
Schumacher had stated at the weekend that there were no obvious deficiencies in the squad, and his optimistic view was not tempered by the late setback in Berkshire. If he still feels the same way in May, the outcome could not be better. Wanderers have placed their trust in his ability to pick up the baton and run with it, free of the stifling poison that had steadily accumulated over his predecessor’s stint in the dugout.
Only one other League One club changed managers in January, and it wasn’t by design. Wycombe lost Matt Bloomfield and named his replacement, ex-Sunderland coach Mike Dodds, in a statement that will resonate with the present attitude at Bolton.
Mike shares our vision of building the club through innovation and data, ensuring that we continue to evolve and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape’, said the club, which was set to add four new players on deadline day as they attempted to solidify their position in the automatic promotion places.
Bolton has, of course, delved headfirst into the world of statistics during their own recruitment over the previous five years, and with league position and outcomes no longer matching the visible outlay on transfer money, resentment is now directed at the system itself.
Wanderers’ sports director, Chris Markham, has constructed their own recruitment and analysis department from the ground up, and the club has also established relations with data provider Ludonautics through the issuance of B class shares. Head coach Schumacher claims he has “thrived” in such a situation before at Plymouth, and that it was part of the appeal of coming to Bolton.
With the window closed, it is evident that Schumacher will need to make it work. If Arfield and Williams were effectively surplus fat, the trimmed-down team that remains will need to work more efficiently than ever before if the Whites are to achieve their promotion aim.
Aaron Collins has been in prolific form in front of goal, scoring 15 goals in all competitions thus far, but with Charles transferred to Huddersfield, John McAtee has been the next most reliable supplier, scoring seven times.
Schumacher and the interim management staff have shown faith in Victor Adeboyejo in recent games, but the Nigerian has only scored four goals this season. Despite his hard work up front, he has not had a shot on goal in his last three games.
New arrival. Etete is a player Bolton hopes to give some physicality that has been lacking in their assault, but his scoring record has also been poor, with five in 52 Championship games.
In many views, the decision to sell Charles, who, despite a decline in form, had still managed eight goals this season, adding to the 49 he had earned in the previous two-and-a-half seasons, remains difficult to justify.
Cash has been spent. Wanderers have made significant investments in attacking midfielder Joel Randall, who has hinted at a goal-scoring potential, as well as signing teenager Alex Murphy from Newcastle United. The club will also have gone to great lengths to replace its manager and backroom staff, the expense of which may not be apparent until future accounts are revealed.
There may also be some unspoken logic at work. Bolton came into this season with the goal of finishing in the top two, but those hopes were quickly dashed. The goal is now to finish in the top six and advance to the play-offs for the third time. If Bolton had been in Wycombe’s situation a year ago, when the club paid £750,000 to get Collins from Bristol Rovers, the temptation to strengthen would have been higher.
Whether Schumacher successfully inspires a dash for the line or utilises the remaining 17 games to determine which players will stick with him for next season’s tilt, a massive summer rebuild is imminent and will not be cheap.
