Bolton Wanderers Post Match Thoughts

[MillersTime]

Or how many are contemplating not signing anybody in the transfer window?

Perhaps they have faith that those who have got them there probably have the ability to keep them there. Unless I am missing some glaringly obvious reason that our players are going to regress...

[Grumpy King of the West]

Perhaps they have faith that those who have got them there probably have the ability to keep them there. Unless I am missing some glaringly obvious reason that our players are going to regress...

I think it's more the others closing the gap as opposed to us regressing MT. The good thing is we are in the realms of fine tuning rather than big changes. Take for example if we could loan out Bola and Mattock and then bring in two that are better. Gradual, steady, improvement. Evolution not revolution. You get the idea. But it's a good position to be in. Other clubs might panic buy.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Perhaps they have faith that those who have got them there probably have the ability to keep them there. Unless I am missing some glaringly obvious reason that our players are going to regress...

No reason why they should, but our game is based on high pressure, high tempo, fitness based.

So injuries and suspensions can cause the team as a whole to regress if back up is inadequate

We’ve seen the effect of square pegs in round holes before.

So maybe no major changes, just a bit of freshening up

[MillersTime]

I think it's more the others closing the gap as opposed to us regressing MT. The good thing is we are in the realms of fine tuning rather than big changes. Take for example if we could loan out Bola and Mattock and then bring in two that are better. Gradual, steady, improvement. Evolution not revolution. You get the idea. But it's a good position to be in. Other clubs might panic buy.

But how are you measuring others 'closing the gap'? That suggests we have had a 5 to 10 point lead at some stage this campaign, are being caught up and need to strengthen. We have pretty much been level with Sunderland and Wigan all season (well after a meaningful amount of games). Sunderland appear to be in great form and blowing teams away, like we did a few weeks back, but we are still there with them, like they were with us.

But back to my original point, develop and fine tune the formation we are going with, the one that has brought us to this point. We absolutely do not need to change it. Personnel at times yes, system no.

The calendar will open up soon, majority of games behind us, potentially out of 1 or 2 cups this week (hopefully not), fewer midweek games, hopefully some with injury issues back in contention, this will all benefit the squad in being able to play with the intensity we want to play with. A greater freshness. We are in the dark days of the season, the winter, yet we plough on, no reason to overreact. Get on the training pitch and fine tune the system we use.

[MillersTime]

No reason why they should, but our game is based on high pressure, high tempo, fitness based.

So injuries and suspensions can cause the team as a whole to regress if back up is inadequate

We’ve seen the effect of square pegs in round holes before.

So maybe no major changes, just a bit of freshening up

In which area or areas of the pitch do you feel we could potentially suffer with inadequate back up?

Thinking about it I would say losing either of Smudge, Chieo or Barlaser long term to an injury would hurt the team the most. If we could get a like for like in the squad to cover these eventualities we would obviously do it but no chance we could get the same quality in again just in case. There is going to be a drop off if you lose main people. Unless you are Man City and you can finance like for like quality. I would say we have reasonable cover in most positions, shouldn't be a need for the square pegs situation, I bloody hope not anyway.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

In which area or areas of the pitch do you feel we could potentially suffer with inadequate back up?

Thinking about it I would say losing either of Smudge, Chieo or Barlaser long term to an injury would hurt the team the most. If we could get a like for like in the squad to cover these eventualities we would obviously do it but no chance we could get the same quality in again just in case. There is going to be a drop off if you lose main people. Unless you are Man City and you can finance like for like quality. I would say we have reasonable cover in most positions, shouldn't be a need for the square pegs situation, I bloody hope not anyway.

It might have been mentioned before 😆

But the need for a left footed left side defender, and somebody to provide midfield bite

[MillersTime]

It might have been mentioned before 😆

But the need for a left footed left side defender, and somebody to provide midfield bite

Okay, that's fair. If we can find a left sided CB for balance I'd look at it. No way we are losing Mattock from the dressing room halfway through the season so it would probably be Bola out on loan. Could live with that.

We have midfield bite but PW won't give Wiles a rest. Lindsay and Odoffin can give us that.

[avondalemiller]

Is Angus 1 of our squad of 25? To get anyone in someone has to go out?

Bola a favourite, and hope Mattock keeps fit, and maybe Odoffin? We're a bit top heavy in the middle but it only takes a couple of injuries and suspensions then we're back to the bare bones.

It's like how long is a piece of string.............hard call to make as they'll be pleny on here who knows better..............

[CAMiller]

Is Angus 1 of our squad of 25? To get anyone in someone has to go out?

Bola a favourite, and hope Mattock keeps fit, and maybe Odoffin? We're a bit top heavy in the middle but it only takes a couple of injuries and suspensions then we're back to the bare bones.

It's like how long is a piece of string.............hard call to make as they'll be pleny on here who knows better..............

I think Angus is already included in the squad. Bola might not be able to go out if Brin had a no loan/transfer clause written into his shirt sponsorship deal