MID-SEASON UPDATE
NEW FORMATION
This formation has been our go to formation since the first few weeks of the season, it really suits our ability and allows us to be defensively solid as some of the attackers we come up against our just out of this world. It also allows us to do some good attacking work with the wing backs getting up to support the front players. Overall a very strong formation that leaves us mid-table in goals scored and goals conceded.
DEFENSE SOLIDITY
The real catalyst for this season has been the from of the back 6. Prior has turned into a great free signing in goal, saving us more times that I can remember. Managed to secure him on new deal and get rid of his release clause which was a great bonus to the squad. The 3 centre backs our my favorite part of the team, these have all came through our academy and developed into great young players. Brockbank is our captain and leader who has turned into a decent championship player worth 4m. Senior still has the potential to be a championship but is being utilitsed due to no better options being available, still on the improve which is great. Now comes the best one of the lot, Colvin is amazing, quickly looking like a future premier league defender. The wing-backs have been a great addition to the squad, Williams is really doing great work on the right popping up with plenty of assists and goals, work needs to be done on his fitness but the loan was a great deal for us.
MIDFIELD DUO
This has really been a tough decision with me having some great loan players on board, some clearly better than the 2 I currently play there. However, I have decided to stick with my own players these being Selasi and Carbonell. They are doing a great job and it is just allowing me to improve them meaning once our loans begin to leave I have a solid midfield duo to take us forward in the Championship. Selasi has really stepped up to the plate since his free transfer which is great to see. With some of my own youngster sitting in behind as back-up we have the knowledge that this midfield duo can work together and our youngsters can do the job if needed while improving.
LACK OF STRIKERS
Over the last few seasons, I have relly focused on loan signings up front as they were the best we could get in those positions as our options werent up to the grade, because of this we have left ourselves in a dodgy position going forward with us not really having our own players to take over the mantle once these loan signings move on. A re-build of the strikeforce is needed.
HOT PROPERTY
Fielding Calls left right and centre. We are quickly having our youngster pop up on the wanted list by clubs all over. We have rejected some big transfer bids for our young up and coming goalkeepers and our your attacking midfield options. It is great to see but rather annoying because it is going to turn our players heads as some of the teams interested our streets above us including Everton looking at our younger centre midfielder.
I am also getting some interview offers for clubs looking to take me on board including Reading, Bristol City and Rangers.
LEAGUE STANDINGS
The league is some great reading for fans of Bolton, we have quickly established ourselves in midpack and it is clear we have dodged a relegation battle which is great for the squad. Need to turn our draws into wins and we could really pull up some trees next season. It is all about finishing this season as high as possible for the extra cash as the board has slashed our wage bill again by 13k leaving us no room to add any decent free signings to the squad. So we hope for movement to allow us to improve the squad.