(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 minute ago, gonzo said:

It's well touted that Sharon and board told SS as soon at the season was over they'd back him to the hilt on who we wanted to get rid of. Nobody was safe.

I never in my wildest thought he'd shift a name like Collins on.

It's a huge statement and fundamental shift. 

Up the pulled up socks whites. 

 

I expect to see 11 players with socks up to their knees, black and white boots on, shirts tucked in shorts and Brylcreemed hair on 3rd August 

43 minutes ago, tomski said:

I was told yesterday he’s only just bought a house in Westhoughton. With the fact it’s Mk dons, I think he’s been told and that’s that. 

Overheard this outside Nam Ploy before the final day and was quite relieved to hear he must be staying off the back of that news.

I really like AC and his goal contributions must be replaced somehow.
He certainly has games where he is a complete non entity mind, and was as bad as anyone in the run in.

I think it’s quite simple really; we certainly don’t need both Collins and McAtee, and Collins is more likely to command what we paid(+🙏). 
You could probably throw Randall in as well.
He might play slightly deeper but for me, all three could play the same supporting role, which goes to show how insane the signing of Randall was.

That’s not to say we wouldn’t listen to offers for McAtee or Randall either.

8 hours ago, Zico said:

We're trying to get out of L1 and selling your best players isn't a good idea if you don't replace them 

We sold Dapo for a profit and didn't replace him 

We sold Charles for a profit and didn't replace him

I just hope if we sell Collins, we replace him because we'll miss them goals of his 

We have signed a forward though already. We can't carry all these attacking players. Something has to give. It's alright saying get rid of x and y but if nobody wants them then your stuck. 

I think people are reading too much into Collins potential departure. There's no way Schumacher has gone I want my 19 goal striker out. 

It's seems more like MK Dons have a bit of money and have come in with an offer that has made us consider it. If the money is right maybe it helps us strengthen somewhere else. Hopefully sort the shambles of a defence out. 

Edited June 13, 2025Jun 13 by Arrested development

Collins was one of probably 3 players midway through last season that I’d have been really disappointed to see go.

By the end of the season that list started and ended with Morley.

The way he finished last season showed he was no better than the others attitude wise, and quite frankly he was pub league far more than he was championship last season - his misses are up there with Dion’s.

I’d still rather have him than not I think, probably off the left of a 4231, but I wouldn’t be arsed if we cashed in and would see it as a pretty big signal from SS as to which characters he wants out of the squad.

If AC goes then it’s probably for a combination of reasons: his sketchy work rate and Schuey wanting to inject some steel and graft in to the team, we’ve too many number 10 type players for the system Schuey wants to play, and it frees up a good amount of money in fee and wages for somebody new

8 hours ago, Zico said:

We're trying to get out of L1 and selling your best players isn't a good idea if you don't replace them 

We sold Dapo for a profit and didn't replace him 

We sold Charles for a profit and didn't replace him

I just hope if we sell Collins, we replace him because we'll miss them goals of his 

Finally. Common sense 

genuinely cant see a league 2 club paying over £1 million for a player no matter how much money they have, no matter what anyone thinks of collins i think it would be suicide to sell a striker who scores over 15 goals to anybody.

8 minutes ago, fester58 said:

genuinely cant see a league 2 club paying over £1 million for a player no matter how much money they have, no matter what anyone thinks of collins i think it would be suicide to sell a striker who scores over 15 goals to anybody.

12 league goals in 36 starts (McAtee got 11 in fewer starts). Collins has undoubted talent but maybe Schuey has decided the mentality in the squad is weak and he’s decided that Collins is one of those he can move on, if he gets a decent fee.

Just seems really clear that Schuey thinks what the fans have for the last year - that the team is spineless, both mentally and physically. Half of a new spine in with Simons and Dalby, new keeper to add to that. Wouldn't surprise me to see a centre half to come in too to complete that new look spine. If AC going funds that, I've no issue. Brilliant for 5 minutes a game, terrible for 85 mostly

 

18 minutes ago, fester58 said:

genuinely cant see a league 2 club paying over £1 million for a player no matter how much money they have, no matter what anyone thinks of collins i think it would be suicide to sell a striker who scores over 15 goals to anybody.

I never thought a league 1 club would spunk £15m on a player but they did 

New team photo is out.

1 hour ago, tomski said:

That you are going to Mk dons. No one chooses to leave Bolton to sign for them.

Bolton news article does give you the impression clubs have been given the green light to make a move for Collins. Maybe we have an up grade lined up, it would be a surprise especially having signed a striker this week who maybe Collins can benefit from playing alongside.

keep shipping these bottlers out schuy

3 minutes ago, onefinfrandsen said:

Bolton news article does give you the impression clubs have been given the green light to make a move for Collins. Maybe we have an up grade lined up, it would be a surprise especially having signed a striker this week who maybe Collins can benefit from playing alongside.

100% his agent has put this about.

There's not a chance anyone is expressing interest in a player like him without being given the nod.

It'd be like us going sniffing round a championship teams best player.

2 minutes ago, gonzo said:

New team photo is out.

Just need the new keeper to be of this sort of stature https://images.app.goo.gl/55fBhuLaSy2SyX6d9

 

12 minutes ago, auckland_bwfc said:

I used to play ice hockey, my leg guards weren't as thick as those shin pads 🤣 

4 hours ago, Burndens Bogs said:

Nice to see us signing a couple of players with height and physicality.

You win nowt with dwarves and wimps.

I know what your saying but its not about height, its about having the strength/ability to hold off an opponent, to head a ball with conviction in the right direction and to tackle, and be a leader. 

We'd all have a dwarf like ALF over a 6 footer like Etete or Vic because, I can't think of an obvious recent eg in midfield but going back - Spearing instead of 6 foot/relatively bulky Liam Trotter.  

2 hours ago, tomski said:

I was told yesterday he’s only just bought a house in Westhoughton. With the fact it’s Mk dons, I think he’s been told and that’s that. 

He must have been renting for a long time, he's often in Sainsburys Westhoughton with his other half.

If he wants to stay put he's under contract, no obligation to move down south (although he's probably as sick of the traffic round here as everyone else!).

Is there not an EFL transfer system regarding how much you can spend compared to how much comes in? EFL2 the gates are low. MK get smallish crowds so not sure about this happening.

Would be really stupid selling another striker after Charles to Huddersfield, so it could all be press garbage. Last season I thought a general malaise had spread around the squad which rubbed off on Collins. They all looked worn out and unmotivated. Glad Santos, Baxter and Jones have now gone and hope McAtee and the Hungarian go next.

Think we need another 5-6 more players yet to revitalise the squad and cast away the ghost of Evatt but would be surprised if Collins is sold 

 

 

1 hour ago, fester58 said:

genuinely cant see a league 2 club paying over £1 million for a player no matter how much money they have, no matter what anyone thinks of collins i think it would be suicide to sell a striker who scores over 15 goals to anybody.

We're only really interested in league goals though and he's not been consistent enough on that front, as @Dennis Peacock says, 12 goals is hardly irreplaceable, even though some of his finishing was quality. 

But its not all about stats, Collins can be great to watch and he can be MOM without scoring because of his talent - I don't think McAtee (or Charles) have that in them.  We'll miss an in-form Collins but we can replace his goals, and we definitely won't miss the "gone missing" Collins which seemed to increase in regularity the longer the season went on.  

Not sure mcatee will be around,   apparently (and info not from bloke in the pub) that he was given a final warning at the end of season after turning up to 2 games half cut !

Day after the warning he is posting photos of himself on it in beefa! 

3 hours ago, tomski said:

That you are going to Mk dons. No one chooses to leave Bolton to sign for them.

They would if the offers good enough. At 28 it may be his last chance to get a big contract and with a club who’s owner, like Disney, project a successful future. Attempting to sign the likes of AC is an indication of their ambition and they’ve already recruited some other players from higher up so it’s not just AC. If the offers right players move backwards to go forwards as Birmingham and Wrexham proved recently. By your logic we’d never get anyone from a Championship club to come to us and yes I know we’re a bigger fish than MK but it’s all down to the offer and the players perspective.

4 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

They would if the offers good enough. At 28 it may be his last chance to get a big contract and with a club who’s owner, like Disney, project a successful future. Attempting to sign the likes of AC is an indication of their ambition and they’ve already recruited some other players from higher up so it’s not just AC. If the offers right players move backwards to go forwards as Birmingham and Wrexham proved recently. By your logic we’d never get anyone from a Championship club to come to us and yes I know we’re a bigger fish than MK but it’s all down to the offer and the players perspective.

All about money, if it's financially better for longer he's gonna go. 

3 hours ago, BeeversLeftPeg said:

Cardiff and Huddersfield both interested in Collins apparently. 

two teams with ambitions to get promoted out of L1 next season eh