(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, Farnywhite said:

Thought the idea was to trim the squad size down to give youth a opportunity we have 22 man  squad compared to 21 last season looks like that plan as gone out the window though it’s more balanced than previously 

I'd hazard a guess that that's a long-term aim

5 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I'd hazard a guess that that's a long-term aim

Aye, it's hard to shift some on when you bring in also but I expect them to reduce the numbers over a window or two (plus those that run their time up, if there is any?)

If we are wanting to reduce the size long term, then giving so many long contracts seems a risk. 

Dunno what the state of Conway's contract actually is, but if it is due to run out soon, then by the fuckery why haven't we secured him on a longer one?

At least it sets us up for a fee if he subsequently goes.

26 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

If we are wanting to reduce the size long term, then giving so many long contracts seems a risk. 

Dunno what the state of Conway's contract actually is, but if it is due to run out soon, then by the fuckery why haven't we secured him on a longer one?

At least it sets us up for a fee if he subsequently goes.

Runs out next summer, we've been giving him one-year extensions the past couple of seasons whilst he's been out of loan. Would assume a new contract is in the pipeline.

Or you could say giving them all long term contracts is a Master stroke .....Top of my head we have Given Taylor a 3 year deal and 4 years to Gale, Simons, Erhahon and Dalby

It those 5 stay fit it wont be long before teams come  Sniffing around.

Like to see Conway and one or two of the younger players tied down on the same kind of contracts

2 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

Or you could say giving them all long term contracts is a Master stroke .....Top of my head we have Given Taylor a 3 year deal and 4 years to Gale, Simons, Erhahon and Dalby

It those 5 stay fit it wont be long before teams come  Sniffing around.

Like to see Conway and one or two of the younger players tied down on the same kind of contracts

Absolutely. 

That's the risk. 

If a few of the signings don't work out, we will be in a similar situation to that SS found himself with initially. 

Given his stated desire to reduce the squad size, and the fact that it is now full, I'm intrigued as to which players he would have wanted gone that haven't been.

McAtee and Morley both in his plans-BN today shows that, Randall too as he keeps getting a gig.

Maybe CMG was one that might have gone, but he has also been given starts, and didn't receive the "find yourself another club" instruction.

As yet, something doesn't quite add up, though I suspect that things will be clearer after the next window.

We have a smaller squad than last season due to the fact at least three are questionable that  they will play much if any before January.

We have another few out of contract next may and he may think they are a stop gap until then.

Mcatee would of gone if the offer would of been decent, but fair play for him staying and willing to fight for a game.

Offers for Morley came from Bloomfield who had him at Wycombe and Wycombe themselves.....We probably value Morley a lot more than when he was on loan.....We have six on loan and out of those i think up to now we will look to make 2 permanent if they do ok this season    Burstow and Forss

Can't take the injured players out of it- that's why we have a squad.

Plenty of injuries in previous seasons too.

I'm just a touch surprised, given the owners' comments about sustainability. 

 

They will be included  because we have not gone over our quota...So in effect we are dealing with a smaller squad

This wont be seen until next season because of players in their last year of contract or they are out injured

Hence we will have to honour their contracts until next May

Edited September 4, 2025Sep 4 by masi 51

2 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Absolutely. 

That's the risk. 

If a few of the signings don't work out, we will be in a similar situation to that SS found himself with initially. 

Given his stated desire to reduce the squad size, and the fact that it is now full, I'm intrigued as to which players he would have wanted gone that haven't been.

McAtee and Morley both in his plans-BN today shows that, Randall too as he keeps getting a gig.

Maybe CMG was one that might have gone, but he has also been given starts, and didn't receive the "find yourself another club" instruction.

As yet, something doesn't quite add up, though I suspect that things will be clearer after the next window.

CMG has gone on loan to Exeter 

24 minutes ago, 1969 said:

CMG has gone on loan to Exeter 

Aye, of course. 

Forgot about that.

The two long term injuries you would imagine will be reviewed later, but apart from those two, there doesn't appear to be anyone else obvious that he doesn't want.

3 hours ago, masi 51 said:

They will be included  because we have not gone over our quota...So in effect we are dealing with a smaller squad

I presume we’ll leave the squad places open. No point committing a slot to anyone until we know they’re fit. Remember, we can still sign a free agent, if the right one becomes available.

14 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

I presume we’ll leave the squad places open. No point committing a slot to anyone until we know they’re fit. Remember, we can still sign a free agent, if the right one becomes available.

And they're around, Blackburn looking at Craig Dawson, couple of Champ clubs in for Kourtney Hause (ex Villa, Wolves), 40 or so still in that PFA scheme

10 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Can't take the injured players out of it- that's why we have a squad.

Plenty of injuries in previous seasons too.

I'm just a touch surprised, given the owners' comments about sustainability. 

 

We cannot have sustainability until he fully clears the decks which will be May 2026. Think we have then about a dozen out of contract. Out of those i am certain Conway and Sam Inwood will get offered new contracts the jury will be out for the other ten

We won’t be sustainable by having a couple less players in the squad. We’ll be sustainable by selling one of the young players we’ve just signed on long contracts for millions (Simons being the obvious one).

Agreed, but we have been top heavy the past few years. This in turn stops the pathway of our better youth from getting game time be it in cup games or the odd time coming from the bench.

When we carry 25 plus senior players we have no pathway

53 minutes ago, Eddie said:

We won’t be sustainable by having a couple less players in the squad. We’ll be sustainable by selling a few of the young players we’ve just signed on long contracts for millions (Simons being the obvious one).

 

1 hour ago, masi 51 said:

Agreed, but we have been top heavy the past few years. This in turn stops the pathway of our better youth from getting game time be it in cup games or the odd time coming from the bench.

When we carry 25 plus senior players we have no pathway

Fair point

Looks like we’ve finally got some youth that could fill those places, although you could maybe argue that we’ve never known if we have over the past few years 

13 hours ago, jmjhb said:

Runs out next summer, we've been giving him one-year extensions the past couple of seasons whilst he's been out of loan. Would assume a new contract is in the pipeline.

I'd like to hope, not assume.

He's next player to leave us for £1m+ if we don't go up.

5 hours ago, masi 51 said:

Agreed, but we have been top heavy the past few years. This in turn stops the pathway of our better youth from getting game time be it in cup games or the odd time coming from the bench.

When we carry 25 plus senior players we have no pathway

yes but Looking at our INJURY List 

about 10 a year and at least 5 Long term 

we need a Shead load for back up 

Injuries are part and parcel, but we have a lot who have been in and out of the team ever since they came to the club and these are out of Contract come May.

At present you cannot justify offering new terms to any

 

Hope we tie him down to a 4 year deal. He's been a revelation so far.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25448216.bolton-wanderers-contract-talks-defender-max-conway/

On 05/09/2025 at 11:35, little whitt said:

yes but Looking at our INJURY List 

about 10 a year and at least 5 Long term 

we need a Shead load for back up 

I think Schumacher has written most of the long term injured players off

Tutu, Forrester,Vic and Dempsey are out of contract next May and even if they get fit i think this will be their last season at the club......Not bad players but do any get in todays team at their best???  

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25451563.bolton-wanderers-new-deals-sharples-ahmed-inwood/

 

 

16 minutes ago, Cheese said:

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25451563.bolton-wanderers-new-deals-sharples-ahmed-inwood/

 

 

no interest in any of those interviews