Now 12:30 on the tele 

https://www.efl.com/news/2025/january/31/see-the-latest-sky-sports-tv-selections/

1 hour ago, Whitesince63 said:

I’m hoping Max Conway will fill that position next season as he scored another excellent goal for Crewe yesterday and looks to have really come on.

He'll get another loan & we'll eventually give him away. People on here will agree he was always shite.

We are Bolton.

3 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

He'll get another loan & we'll eventually give him away. People on here will agree he was always shite.

We are Bolton.

Crewe fans i know really like him. A shame if he didn’t get a chance with us. But as you say he won’t.

Just now, nantwichwhite said:

Crewe fans i know really like him. A shame if he didn’t get a chance with us. But as you say he won’t.

Why won’t he? I think Schu will have a completely different view than Evatt and let’s be honest he’s doing it regularly with a good club at the top of L1. I’m not saying he’d be first choice and it depends on what league we are in next season but we surely must give him a chance here before moving him out?

11 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

He'll get another loan & we'll eventually give him away. People on here will agree he was always shite.

We are Bolton.

Really is bizarre the way we treat our youth prospects. Our youth = not good enough and ship them out on loan. Someone else's youth = get them playing every minute.

Something we need to sort out long term.

Regarding Murphy in particular, I think he's done alright but he probably needs a bit of rotation. He's young and not played any real football before this loan. Whitesince's idea of Johnston at LB might work.

For what it's worth, he's out of contract (and overage) next season

So we either offer him a new contract and he signs it on the basis he's here to contribute to the first team, or he signs elsewhere

6 minutes ago, Stig said:

Really is bizarre the way we treat our youth prospects. Our youth = not good enough and ship them out on loan. Someone else's youth = get them playing every minute.

Something we need to sort out long term.

Regarding Murphy in particular, I think he's done alright but he probably needs a bit of rotation. He's young and not played any real football before this loan. Whitesince's idea of Johnston at LB might work.

Tbf if they then went somewhere and had decent careers I would agree it was bizarre but can not think of playing at our level or above. IMO the issue is the quality of players we attract. 

19 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

For what it's worth, he's out of contract (and overage) next season

So we either offer him a new contract and he signs it on the basis he's here to contribute to the first team, or he signs elsewhere

Would make sense to offer him a new contract and see how he goes.

If he doesn't cut it, he has value to league 2 clubs at least.

It is a position we will need to look at, and if he can do it great, plus there will be no fee to pay someone else.

4 hours ago, Eddie said:

I’d forgotten CMG in my reply - if he can prove fitness then this is it for me. Those 2 start, Schon benefits from being on his left foot and then Tutu is unleashed against tired defenders later on

I'd be happy with that in terms of personnel and round pegs in round holes.  I think with CMG we have to accept he isn't going to hug the touchline like a traditional winger (as Tutu does), he's a bit of a maverick which adds something to the team IMO but also may be a reason he's never nailed down a position.  Where someone like Cogley plays to the manager's instructions and is reliable for being where he's supposed to be, CMG doesn't come with that assurance.

5 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'd be happy with that in terms of personnel and round pegs in round holes.  I think with CMG we have to accept he isn't going to hug the touchline like a traditional winger (as Tutu does), he's a bit of a maverick which adds something to the team IMO but also may be a reason he's never nailed down a position.  Where someone like Cogley plays to the manager's instructions and is reliable for being where he's supposed to be, CMG doesn't come with that assurance.

True, but you’d essentially be swapping Tutu for CMG. You’re not exactly losing much assurance in the first place and I just think CMG just looks like a better all round player - he’s certainly more solid for a start.

3 hours ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Forrester was truly excellent today. Morley OK, for me. Schön full of industry & obviously enjoying his role. Loved Gomez's cameo. A 'let down' on the day was Sheehan ... he just seemed to be swamped by it all. That happens I guess.

Randall was a mystery when he came on.

Agreed on all that except maybe Randall, I thought he did OK? Looked comfortable in possession and was positive, has the skill to beat a man and get us up the pitch which the other midfielders (bar CMG) don't have.

There was once he annoyed me when he did his usual running towards a player without attempting to tackle.

16 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Agreed on all that except maybe Randall, I thought he did OK? Looked comfortable in possession and was positive, has the skill to beat a man and get us up the pitch which the other midfielders (bar CMG) don't have.

There was once he annoyed me when he did his usual running towards a player without attempting to tackle.

As seems to be the norm 😂 - I agree with that.

I’ve yet to be impressed by Randall but I thought he did pretty well yesterday when he came on. Not spectacular but calm and assured in possession and moved us up the pitch. I’m still hoping if we decide 4231 is our preferred formation that he can prove he’s the man to be the centre of the 3 - pretty sure that’s his preferred position / system so maybe a run in a settled side, playing in his best position, will show us what he’s actually about.

Morley Sheehan

CMG Randall Schon

Collins

It wouldn’t work all the time, and SS has shown he’ll switch it round depending on who we’re playing (thank fuck), but assuming everyone is in form, I like the look and balance of that midfield and attack.

I'll back off on Randell. He went on a couple of runs, but what is clearly a talented athlete has yet to find his niche.

What does need sorting are impact subs who offer much less when starting.

26 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Morley Sheehan

CMG Randall Schon

Collins

Would be interested to see that formation, with Dempsey replacing Randall. The extra graft and determination that he brings would make a more solid line. But that’s for next season, perhaps.

We haven’t addressed the back four, though. Forrester has been superb since the New Year and is clearly in a central role. Johnston has not been far behind him. This leaves the problem of how do we fit Toal in?

Murphy, rightly, has been called out for his frailties. However, I thought Cogley was every bit as weak and vulnerable in defence yesterday. I have read a suggestion that Jones could slot into left back. Welcome back to square pegs in round holes.

For me, when fit, Jones should replace Cogley at right back. At left back, we have a less clear solution, thanks to the crazy decision to release Iredale. I understand Sam Inwood is highly rated, and he looked secure and confident in his handful of cup appearances. I’d much rather be giving opportunities to him over Murphy.

That said, we need as much experience as possible for the last dozen or so games. Therefore, short-term I’d go with:

Jones-Toal-Forrester-Johnston

Longer term, if Schumacher wants a solid back four, we need to look closely at recruitment/development for both full back positions. Moreover, I’m not sure Johnston would see his long-term position to be left back.

 

Watched the longer highlights and still can not the handball during the scramble. 

22 minutes ago, Ani said:

Watched the longer highlights and still can not the handball during the scramble. 

I think it's their number six who blocks Johnston's shot with his arm as he's fallen to the floor

It's not easy to spot

17 hours ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I think it's their number six who blocks Johnston's shot with his arm as he's fallen to the floor

It's not easy to spot

No and to be fair I don’t think any of our players claimed for it so it would be nearly impossible for the officials to see it in the melee.