(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

3 hours ago, Zico said:

I'm not convinced he would be

if he stays fine, if he goes fine, I wouldn't be paticulary arsed either way, he was always one of the first to dissppear when it got tough

if he's part of SS plans then it will be interesting to see how he appoaches it because we can't be going into next season look to play a combination of Sheehan, Morley and GT each week

or at least i don't think we can, we need at least one new face in there, if SS is of the same opinion, it will be interesting to see who will be left out

Absolutely. 

Only a year left, so won't get a fee for much longer.

Not going to get any better, and epitomises everything we've become.

As you say, not arsed either way.

2 hours ago, thebells said:

... not a damp squid?

Squib FFS 

4 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

Squib FFS 

Think you’ve been whooshed

3 hours ago, gonzo said:

Let's make Bolton great again

Drain the swamp

1 hour ago, RoadRunnerFan said:

Drain the swamp

Especially as it's got squids in it apparently 

2 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

Squib FFS 

I know 😉. Seems my humour was a bit too eyebrow for you.

Just been reading about players finishing at Everton. 

Above our "pay grade" no doubt, but putting that aside, would Michael Keane be someone that could really help solidify us, with his experience?

Local lad too.

23 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Just been reading about players finishing at Everton. 

Above our "pay grade" no doubt, but putting that aside, would Michael Keane be someone that could really help solidify us, with his experience?

Local lad too.

He’d help. But way above us. Tarkowski has recently bought a house in Horwich. Sadly also way above us. 

Teams could push up and mark Sheehan out the game last season because we don't have pacy wide players or a striker that can hold the ball. Hopefully with those additions we can either hit it earlier quicker to those players if the opp push up on Josh, or if they sit off to cover that it will give him the chance to pull the strings a bit more stress free, and there is nobody better for that at this level.

 

Edited May 20, 20251 yr by Eagle85

1 hour ago, Eagle85 said:

Teams could push up and mark Sheehan out the game last season because we don't have pacy wide players or a striker that can hold the ball. Hopefully with those additions we can either hit it earlier quicker to those players if the opp push up on Josh, or if they sit off to cover that it will give him the chance to pull the strings a bit more stress free, and there is nobody better for that at this level.

 

You see I don’t see him pulling any strings. On his day he’s decent but I’m trying to think of one game where he was outstanding or influential in us actually winning a game and I can’t think of one. If we can sell him now and get money for him then I’d take it because whoever we sign I don’t see Josh being any better than the average player we’ve come to expect. He’s a six out of ten at best most weeks and if we’re serious about promotion I just think we need better than that.

Never been a fan of Morley & Sheehan in the same midfield really. They both want to do a similar job, coming deep to get on the ball both wanting to control the game & dictate. Good against the Exeter's & Crawley's but bloody useless to have both when playing an organized semi decent outfit

2 hours ago, thebells said:

I know 😉. Seems my humour was a bit too eyebrow for you.

Notwithstanding my failure to grasp any link between Sheehan and either the aforementioned cephalopod or a paper bag, I realised I must have missed something before the ink was dry.

17 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

You see I don’t see him pulling any strings. On his day he’s decent but I’m trying to think of one game where he was outstanding or influential in us actually winning a game and I can’t think of one. If we can sell him now and get money for him then I’d take it because whoever we sign I don’t see Josh being any better than the average player we’ve come to expect. He’s a six out of ten at best most weeks and if we’re serious about promotion I just think we need better than that.

I discovered that there are a lot of folk who disagree with that when I made a similar point about Sheehan a few months back but I can understand where they’re coming from as he’s easy on the eye when given time on the ball. But for me it’s still a case of style over substance as the time and effort it takes to get him in possession in space takes all elements of surprise and pace out of the attack and we are worse defensively with him in the team. I’d happily sacrifice the style for more effectiveness both in and out of possession as winning is everything. Getting paid to take him would be good business.

14 hours ago, Steejay said:

This is his Mrs.

Ledson's GF

 

9 hours ago, thebells said:

He’d help. But way above us. Tarkowski has recently bought a house in Horwich. Sadly also way above us. 

Aye, probably. 

Not sure he's getting a gig in the prem anymore though.

 

10 hours ago, Whitesince63 said:

You see I don’t see him pulling any strings. On his day he’s decent but I’m trying to think of one game where he was outstanding or influential in us actually winning a game and I can’t think of one. If we can sell him now and get money for him then I’d take it because whoever we sign I don’t see Josh being any better than the average player we’ve come to expect. He’s a six out of ten at best most weeks and if we’re serious about promotion I just think we need better than that.

1. Bolton 2–1 Port Vale (February 2023)

Sheehan marked his return from a long-term injury with a brilliant 20-yard goal to help Bolton earn all three points at home.

2. Bolton 1–0 Shrewsbury Town (April 2023)

Scored a superb 25-yard strike in a vital win that pushed Bolton into the playoff places late in the season.

3. Bolton 3–2 Stevenage (October 2023)

Opened his league scoring for the season with a key goal in an entertaining, back-and-forth contest.

4. Bolton 4–0 Plymouth Argyle (April 2023 – EFL Trophy Final)

Sheehan started and controlled the midfield in a dominant display as Bolton lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley.

 

5.Bolton 4–2 Wycombe Wanderers (October 2023): Bolton secured a 4–2 victory, with Josh Sheehan providing assists for George Thomason and Eoin Toal.

 

6. Bolton 5–0 Oxford United (March 2024)

Sheehan capped a complete team performance with a stunning long-range goal into the bottom corner.

7. Bolton 4–3 Crawley Town (February 2025)

Scored the equaliser in the 85th minute during a thrilling comeback, before Bolton won it with a 99th-minute own goal.

8. Burton Albion 1–2 Bolton (March 2025)

Netted a spectacular 30-yard winner – Bolton’s first-ever victory at the Pirelli Stadium – and pushed them into the play-off zone.

9. Bolton 1–1 Ipswich Town (August 2024)

Delivered a calm, commanding midfield performance, earning Man of the Match in a tightly contested game against a strong opponent.

10. Bolton 2–0 Cambridge United (December 2024)

Pulled the strings throughout, showcasing leadership and creativity in a routine home win.

13 minutes ago, desperado said:

1. Bolton 2–1 Port Vale (February 2023)

Sheehan marked his return from a long-term injury with a brilliant 20-yard goal to help Bolton earn all three points at home.

2. Bolton 1–0 Shrewsbury Town (April 2023)

Scored a superb 25-yard strike in a vital win that pushed Bolton into the playoff places late in the season.

3. Bolton 3–2 Stevenage (October 2023)

Opened his league scoring for the season with a key goal in an entertaining, back-and-forth contest.

4. Bolton 4–0 Plymouth Argyle (April 2023 – EFL Trophy Final)

Sheehan started and controlled the midfield in a dominant display as Bolton lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley.

 

5.Bolton 4–2 Wycombe Wanderers (October 2023): Bolton secured a 4–2 victory, with Josh Sheehan providing assists for George Thomason and Eoin Toal.

 

6. Bolton 5–0 Oxford United (March 2024)

Sheehan capped a complete team performance with a stunning long-range goal into the bottom corner.

7. Bolton 4–3 Crawley Town (February 2025)

Scored the equaliser in the 85th minute during a thrilling comeback, before Bolton won it with a 99th-minute own goal.

8. Burton Albion 1–2 Bolton (March 2025)

Netted a spectacular 30-yard winner – Bolton’s first-ever victory at the Pirelli Stadium – and pushed them into the play-off zone.

9. Bolton 1–1 Ipswich Town (August 2024)

Delivered a calm, commanding midfield performance, earning Man of the Match in a tightly contested game against a strong opponent.

10. Bolton 2–0 Cambridge United (December 2024)

Pulled the strings throughout, showcasing leadership and creativity in a routine home win.

Well researched and I saw all of those games and whilst I don’t question he scored some goals and had some decent moments, so did others but he never dominated any game where afterwards you remembered it. We need a dominant game changing body in the middle and fine if you disagree but for me Sheehan ain’t it.

And most games in-between,,

" Sheehan receives the ball deep in his own half whilst under enormous pressure from the opposition, you could tell he didn't really want it but manages well to bring it under control and immediately turn back inside to face his own goal, josh does well to turn himself inside out twisting one way then the other before playing a backwards pass to a teammate under pressure."

Stuck record on this and neither Evatt nor, by the look of it SS, see it, but if pushed further forward, in behind / close to the strikers, and with two enforcers behind him, Sheehan could be a real creative threat. 

His nimble footwork, ability to work in tight spaces and pick out passes, likelihood of winning free kicks in dangerous areas and ability to pull a goal out of the hat could all be really useful. Arguably some of what Randall's supposed to be here to do but if one of the two had to play in that area I'd much sooner have Sheehan.

20 minutes ago, desperado said:

1. Bolton 2–1 Port Vale (February 2023)

Sheehan marked his return from a long-term injury with a brilliant 20-yard goal to help Bolton earn all three points at home.

2. Bolton 1–0 Shrewsbury Town (April 2023)

Scored a superb 25-yard strike in a vital win that pushed Bolton into the playoff places late in the season.

3. Bolton 3–2 Stevenage (October 2023)

Opened his league scoring for the season with a key goal in an entertaining, back-and-forth contest.

4. Bolton 4–0 Plymouth Argyle (April 2023 – EFL Trophy Final)

Sheehan started and controlled the midfield in a dominant display as Bolton lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley.

 

5.Bolton 4–2 Wycombe Wanderers (October 2023): Bolton secured a 4–2 victory, with Josh Sheehan providing assists for George Thomason and Eoin Toal.

 

6. Bolton 5–0 Oxford United (March 2024)

Sheehan capped a complete team performance with a stunning long-range goal into the bottom corner.

7. Bolton 4–3 Crawley Town (February 2025)

Scored the equaliser in the 85th minute during a thrilling comeback, before Bolton won it with a 99th-minute own goal.

8. Burton Albion 1–2 Bolton (March 2025)

Netted a spectacular 30-yard winner – Bolton’s first-ever victory at the Pirelli Stadium – and pushed them into the play-off zone.

9. Bolton 1–1 Ipswich Town (August 2024)

Delivered a calm, commanding midfield performance, earning Man of the Match in a tightly contested game against a strong opponent.

10. Bolton 2–0 Cambridge United (December 2024)

Pulled the strings throughout, showcasing leadership and creativity in a routine home win.

Where did you copy those comments from?

Anyone could put selective comments about any player on a thread.

Hardly balanced.

10 matches in 18 months or so too.

If he was moved on, would you complain?

I certainly wouldn't.

Maybe a small number I'd be disappointed to see go, but even then, if that's what SS believes is necessary, then so be it.

He doesn't think we're good enough as things stand so some will be going.

Morley more than capable of doing his job anyway.

2 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

Stuck record on this and neither Evatt nor, by the look of it SS, see it, but if pushed further forward, in behind / close to the strikers, and with two enforcers behind him, Sheehan could be a real creative threat. 

His nimble footwork, ability to work in tight spaces and pick out passes, likelihood of winning free kicks in dangerous areas and ability to pull a goal out of the hat could all be really useful. Arguably some of what Randall's supposed to be here to do but if one of the two had to play in that area I'd much sooner have Sheehan.

I can see that point of view myself Ian but I’d question whether he’s robust enough to come up against big strong defenders. He seems more comfortable at the back just reviving and passing on the ball rather than creating. I’m not saying he isn’t a decent player but not the one I think we need at this time. To get out of L1 I think we just need someone stronger and let Morley do the stuff further back.

4 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

Stuck record on this and neither Evatt nor, by the look of it SS, see it, but if pushed further forward, in behind / close to the strikers, and with two enforcers behind him, Sheehan could be a real creative threat. 

His nimble footwork, ability to work in tight spaces and pick out passes, likelihood of winning free kicks in dangerous areas and ability to pull a goal out of the hat could all be really useful. Arguably some of what Randall's supposed to be here to do but if one of the two had to play in that area I'd much sooner have Sheehan.

Totally agree with you.

I’m a Sheehan fan and general opinion is that he’s a victim of playing alongside either GT, who isn’t good enough as the midfield bastard to give Sheehan the freedom to do what he’s good at, or Morley who’s too similar to Sheehan.

However, I’m past caring enough about any of them to stick up for them and disagree with people who see it differently. If we get a decent enough bid and choose to accept it then so be it, thanks and bye.

Couldn’t agree more @Eddie. Never understand the desire to call out Sheehan, and ignore the fact that he’s been lumbered with Thomason a lot of the time.

Thomason needs replacing with far more urgency than Sheehan.

56 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Where did you copy those comments from?

Anyone could put selective comments about any player on a thread.

Hardly balanced.

10 matches in 18 months or so too.

If he was moved on, would you complain?

I certainly wouldn't.

Maybe a small number I'd be disappointed to see go, but even then, if that's what SS believes is necessary, then so be it.

He doesn't think we're good enough as things stand so some will be going.

Morley more than capable of doing his job anyway.

After someone posted they couldn’t remember 1 game where he was influential, it was just a simple reminder that there have been some. 

That’s all

It wasn’t intended to be a critique, a substantive and comprehensive narrative, a piece that you could only write about Sheehan and no one else or a strong case as to why he has to stay.

Just some examples of influential games he’s had when somebody couldn’t remember one 😊

Would I complain if he moved on? No not complain, it’s not my way. I’d trust SS to make the best decisions for next season.

Slightly disappointed because I feel him and Morley with an experienced and influential leader alongside them, with a bit of pace and physicality around them and not a bunch of clones, would be a strong L1 midfield.

Edited May 21, 20251 yr by desperado