Bolton Wanderers Season Preview: the step up

Until last season, Bolton Wanderers had seemingly been getting worse every year for over half a decade. Just how refreshing was it to watch a winning Trotters team once again? The Football Lab speaks to supporter Ben Reardon ahead of the new season.

Following the turmoil that had engulfed the club on and off the pitch, particularly ever since relegation from the Premier League five years ago, the clouds of despair were lifted last term, which was ultimately that of a successful one.

After promotion, centre-backs Mark Beevers and David Wheater were interviewed and it became clear that they get on off the field as well as on it. Has that partnership been the bedrock of your success?

Both Wheater and Beevers struck up a commendable partnership, which wasn’t just apparent defensively. The duo were also regulars in the goal-scoring charts, with Wheater (nine) and Beevers (seven) getting right in amongst it. The pair’s consistency did not go un-noticed, and they were the foundations to the promotion-winning season.

Dorian Dervite has been given a new deal after a solid season in League One. However, is he good enough for the Championship?

Dervite’s re-introduction into Bolton’s side after a lengthy spell out injured initially raised a few eyebrows. But playing in a back three which Phil Parkinson implemented towards the back end of the season brought the best out of the Frenchman, who looked at ease in a new system. I feel he is good enough for the second-tier, and his new deal will give him the opportunity to banish any memories of the last calamitous Championship campaign.

Goalkeepers Mark Howard and Ben Alnwick started 26 and 20 league games respectively last year. Who do you see as your best option?

With Ben Amos informed that he is surplus to requirements, the current goalkeeping situation at Bolton Wanderers is an intriguing one. Mark Howard and Ben Alnwick, who were both signed last summer, and shared the gloves throughout the campaign, performed admirably, however the question remains if either can hold down a regular starting position in the division above.

Left-back Andrew Taylor and striker Adam Le Fondre impressed on loan last term. Are you pleased they have have signed permanent deals?

Signing up Andrew Taylor and Adam Le Fondre on permanent deals was a must following their successful loan stays last season. Left-back Taylor didn’t put a foot wrong after breaking into the starting XI, while Le Fondre’s signature was two-years in the making, ever since his previous loan in 2015, so I’m delighted that the pair will be Bolton players for the long-term.

Aside from Taylor and Le Fondre, the other four loanees who finished last season at the club haven’t stayed. Is there anyone you are disappointed not to keep?

Given that there is still tight restrictions on transfer activity monitored by the EFL, in-comings would always going to be restricted, though I feel those other four players on loan didn’t warrant permanent deals with Parkinson’s side.

Midfielder Jem Karacan has signed a new deal while winger Will Buckley joins from Sunderland. Do you hope they can both stay fit?

When the deal to sign Karacan went through in March, many supporters considered it as a coup. The former Reading midfielder had to wait a month to stamp his mark in the starting line-up, but showed his quality, while new signing Buckley impressed at Brighton and Hove Albion, but joins having been loaned from pillar to post by Sunderland. I hope that both players can keep match fit next season, as they will be vital to any progression that the club makes.

Gary Madine has signed a new two-year deal. He scored a modest 10 goals individually, but is the team a stronger proposition with him leading the line?

Gary Madine’s work-ethic and industrious, combative style of play in League One earned him plaudits last season. He proved his doubters wrong by offering a different option to what the side already had. His new two-year-deal was fully deserved, and hopefully he is fully coming into his own.

New signing Mark Little has great athleticism, but it is questioned whether he is good enough defensively to play in a back four. Do you think Phil Parkinson will use wing-backs this season?

Towards the conclusion of last season, wing-backs were utilised prominently to great effect, with Andrew Taylor and Filipe Morais filling those positions well. It remains to be seen whether Parkinson will potentially use the system in the Championship come the start of August.

Ken Anderson reportedly hasn’t paid some of the agreed promotion bonuses. Do you worry about the club’s finances?

Of course, the finances have been a continuing cause for concern over the last two-years or so, but the latest developments about players not receiving their promotion bonuses has brought to light the issues that remain at the club.
With another winding-up order issued by HMRC, there is a feeling amongst fans of here we go again, but hopefully it can be swiftly resolved.

What are your thoughts ahead of the Championship season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?

At the other end of the financial pendulum, clubs who have parachute payments are spending money like it is going out. The gap in the division is getting larger given transfer inflation.

I feel that Middlesbrough will win it out right under Garry Monk – they have made some astute signings, including Britt Assombalonga for £14m. Aston Villa, now with John Terry of course, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham could well be up there. It will be interesting to see how Sunderland adapt to the second-tier, with Simon Grayson now at the helm.

In terms of dark horses, the project at big-spending Wolverhampton Wanderers could set them up nicely, and is this the season Derby County return to the top-flight under Gary Rowett?

Where will you finish? You were spot on with 2nd last summer…

Given that it is the first season back up after promotion, a survival scrap is very much anticipated. Parkinson’s summer recruitment has been positive, which have strengthened the squad from last term. The Championship’s landscape is ever-changing, both through quality of players and teams, along with the financial options at clubs’ disposal. Personally. Simply surviving in the league would be an achievement, so I’ll say 20th.

The Football Lab’s Verdict

As well as Bolton did in the third tier, many of their players were found wanting when last tried in the second, including summer additions. The hope is that they return stronger with the spirit Parkinson has cultivated, but survival won’t be easy in an increasingly technical league. 23rd