(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

1 hour ago, desperado said:

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.

Merely and Sheehan have been continually found out when together. Even before Morley went out on loan.

We haven't been promoted, and have gone backwards. 

Morley has now improved, whereas Sheehan is at or past his peak.

Romantic specs need binning, and some clear eyed, pragmatic, Evatt free, prescription ones worn instead.

 

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

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.

aye

I'm drawing a line under the IE era, the way of playing and what it needed from individuals and the squad to work

done

it's over to SS now to adapt and take this squad forward so pretty much whoever he keeps or gets rid of is fine by me

the only one that I'd be disspointed to see not utilised next season is Collins

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

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.

I reckon GT would be much better without having to keep an eye out for physical weakness in his colleague.

At times he's the one showing for the ball, rather than Sheehan.

If that's happening, then the plan is stopped from the start.

GT better at pressing, turning the ball over and moving it quickly.

Only one of them is getting any better.

If SS wants to move both on, then so be it, but for me, Sheehan is far more likely to be on his way. 

11 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Merely and Sheehan have been continually found out when together. Even before Morley went out on loan.

We haven't been promoted, and have gone backwards. 

Morley has now improved, whereas Sheehan is at or past his peak.

Romantic specs need binning, and some clear eyed, pragmatic, Evatt free, prescription ones worn instead.

 

Opinions, like arseholes, we’ve all got them.

I still think he has a role to play.

Not quite sure where Romantic specs and Evatt free come from in the same sentence re my opinion.

Anyway, let’s see where SS goes on this one, I’ll back him either way.

Some of the goals raised though don't tell the whole story. Take the Burton game away at the end of the season.

Josh scored a cracking goal in that game, great strike. Until that point though i was desperate for him to be taken off because he was shocking.

Even after the strike, nothing. 

Clearly the idea of him being higher up the pitch doesn't work otherwise that's were he'd be starting, he hasn't got the pace or the power in my opinion to be up that end and we're already lightweight enough as it is. 

I think that role in front of the defence was created for him to almost shoehorn him into the team. He can't play in a two and isn't much use a little higher up in the middle because of what he lacks in stature. 

It'd be a great time now to shake hands and part ways in my view especially if we can get some cash.

In that role, i think we should be looking at someone like Ethan Erhanon from Lincoln. 

29 minutes ago, desperado said:

Opinions, like arseholes, we’ve all got them.

I still think he has a role to play.

Not quite sure where Romantic specs and Evatt free come from in the same sentence re my opinion.

Anyway, let’s see where SS goes on this one, I’ll back him either way.

lets just get shut of everybody

itll leave us weaker, but who cares

theyre all shit

 

 

or, 2 or 3 good first teamers would be season changing

 

i know which i think

2 hours ago, Rival Son said:

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.

That's just going to kick off yet another discussion on Tomo 😀

It will be very similar to the one about Sheehan.  And Morley, Randall, McAtee, Collins, Cogley, Desmond

Variations on the usual opinions and no overall conclusion, every player is either crap, irreplaceable, good against poor teams but poor against good teams, not physical enough, has 1 good game in 6, would be better if only he played in "x" position, or injury prone.  

I don't have any strong feelings on any of our squad (that will be fit to start in August).  If they stay fine, if they go no problem, SS will replace them with better.

 

 

11 minutes ago, Casino said:

lets just get shut of everybody

itll leave us weaker, but who cares

theyre all shit

 

 

or, 2 or 3 good first teamers would be season changing

 

i know which i think

I thought the post season might not be so argumentative with folk writing off influential players so adamantly forgetting anything positive they have ever done 😂

6 minutes ago, desperado said:

I thought the post season might not be so argumentative with folk writing off influential players so adamantly forgetting anything positive they have ever done 😂

How old are you?

 

Just now, Casino said:

How old are you?

 

Don’t remind me 😂

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

I reckon GT would be much better without having to keep an eye out for physical weakness in his colleague.

At times he's the one showing for the ball, rather than Sheehan.

If that's happening, then the plan is stopped from the start.

GT better at pressing, turning the ball over and moving it quickly.

Only one of them is getting any better.

If SS wants to move both on, then so be it, but for me, Sheehan is far more likely to be on his way. 

Well, that's all a load of bollocks  

You've made it sound like GT is being held back by having to baby-sit Sheehan.  GT's poor touch, poor passing and often ridiculous bookings is what is holding him back.  Hopefully that will improve as he gets older.

Of the current crop of players only Sheehan is the one I'm confident in receiving the ball from the keeper with an opponent up his arse.  That said, if SS is happy for him to go then so am I.  He'll know more than any of us which players we need to keep and those that can move on.

30 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

That's just going to kick off yet another discussion on Tomo 😀

It will be very similar to the one about Sheehan.  And Morley, Randall, McAtee, Collins, Cogley, Desmond

Variations on the usual opinions and no overall conclusion, every player is either crap, irreplaceable, good against poor teams but poor against good teams, not physical enough, has 1 good game in 6, would be better if only he played in "x" position, or injury prone.  

I don't have any strong feelings on any of our squad (that will be fit to start in August).  If they stay fine, if they go no problem, SS will replace them with better.

 

 

Yep let's do Tommo tomorrow.

Save McAtee for Funtime Friday.

Or just start today

3 hours ago, desperado said:

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.

I have no recollection of these last two. Ipswich were in the Premier League last August. Did we play them in the cup?

Cambridge at home last season was a 2-2 draw in the fag end of Evatts tenure.

3 hours ago, Whitesince63 said:

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.

Know what you mean about him and big defenders, my only thinking was that currently he gets challenged and fouled a lot in areas of the pitch that are of little worry to those dishing the stick out, if he gets knocked about around the edge of their box there's either greater consequence or the defender thinks twice about rattling into him. 

11 minutes ago, Duck Egg said:

I have no recollection of these last two. Ipswich were in the Premier League last August. Did we play them in the cup?

Cambridge at home last season was a 2-2 draw in the fag end of Evatts tenure.

Dates are wrong Cambridge win was March 24. Ipswich one was 2022 away. 👍

looking like grealish is leaving city 

Surprised the Sheehan highlights reel is so short. Could just as easily pick 10 or more games where our defence has been put under pressure and conceded as a direct result of Sheehan losing possession or bottling a tackle - and losing aerial challenges is a given. The issue is that for whatever reason his influence in attack has diminished which just leaves us with a defensive passenger. 
I love watching him play when he is given time but he isn’t these days and a more pragmatic choice for league one midfield might not have the same flair but would more than compensate with other characteristics such as running, pace, power, positioning, the ability to beat a player etc etc - a good all rounder. Sheehan has vision, passing (most of the time) and good control - but equally there are many attributes he lacks so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he was moved on and we traded up. Ultimately it depends on how Schuey wants to tweak the playing style.

16 minutes ago, L/H White said:

looking like grealish is leaving city 

Let’s offer him a pay as you play

I'm hearing the Teddy Sharman Lowe deal is done and will be announced on 1st June.

2 minutes ago, Traf said:

I'm hearing the Teddy Sharman Lowe deal is done and will be announced on 1st June.

That’s good. Loan I take it

50 minutes ago, tomski said:

That’s good. Loan I take it

Yeah, just a loan.
Had a good season at Doncaster last time around.

29 minutes ago, Traf said:

Yeah, just a loan.
Had a good season at Doncaster last time around.

his playing history is weird

2 or 3 cut short loans with no games then a full season

6 hours 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.

2 hours ago, DazBob said:

Well, that's all a load of bollocks  

You've made it sound like GT is being held back by having to baby-sit Sheehan.  GT's poor touch, poor passing and often ridiculous bookings is what is holding him back.  Hopefully that will improve as he gets older.

Of the current crop of players only Sheehan is the one I'm confident in receiving the ball from the keeper with an opponent up his arse.  That said, if SS is happy for him to go then so am I.  He'll know more than any of us which players we need to keep and those that can move on.

Well have to disagree on sheehan then.

Far too often he goes missing and doesn't fulful that role.

As for GT, his performance dropped off like them all last season, but with someone else contributing to the defensive side, we may see a different player.

There are room for playmakers, as there are for more direct players.

No point asking the latter types to do a role that aren't suitable for.

We'll see what happens in due course, however given both managers have kept GT as captain and played him regularly I reckon there is more chance of him remaining here than Sheehan.

We can't have, and don't want wholesale changes, but some are required. Particularly in midfield.