(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

When Conway came into the team SS talked about how he needed to work on the defensive side of his game. As the season went on he attacked less and less. He got caught on the ball a few times and it seemed to affect his confidence.

Only young and time to improve but how much game time does he get next season. Someone said he is technically gifted, someone needs to tell his right foot. 

I think a few of us forget that Conway was injured in the latter part of the season. After being an ever-present at Crewe in 2024/25, and then playing most of the season, he picked up a knock and was missing for a few games.

I think SS then protected him a little by playing GJ at left back and Forino at left centre back (where he didn’t look comfortable).

A few weeks off and then pre-season buildup, and we might see a fitter, stronger and, yes, quicker Conway by the start of the season.

3 hours ago, kent_white said:

I still think that technically - Conway is one of the best players at the club. 

Whether he's solid enough to play LB/LWB in the championship quite yet is another matter altogether. 

That's where I think he'll end up though eventually. 

Conway had come so far, very quickly. But at championship standard he isn't a defender. So if we get a quality LB, he will struggle. He doest have the positional sense, strength or speed for that role. When bombing forward he looks more comfortable but really not sure if his future is with us? He will surely be top trumped...

1 hour ago, Ani said:

When Conway came into the team SS talked about how he needed to work on the defensive side of his game. As the season went on he attacked less and less. He got caught on the ball a few times and it seemed to affect his confidence.

Only young and time to improve but how much game time does he get next season. Someone said he is technically gifted, someone needs to tell his right foot. 

No reason he cant play left midfield or if we get a out an out left back he can compete with Gale at left wing . Far too early to write him off ...Not that you are writing him off . 

19 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

No reason he cant play left midfield or if we get a out an out left back he can compete with Gale at left wing . Far too early to write him off ...Not that you are writing him off . 

I got no end of shite for saying Conway will gravitate to midfield.

But he will.

4 hours ago, Traf said:

Funny how people see things differently, isn't it?

My take is that he had a good season at L2, found himself unexpectedly in the team for us at L1 and di well early doors.
Teams seemed to have worked him out after a couple of months and he didn't look half the player.

He's not quick and lacks positional awareness.
He does seem strong though, so if he worked (very hard) on the defensive side of his game, he could still be a full back.
He's not a wing back or winger.

I think he's fairly quick, but not especially agile.

Takes a bit to get moving, but OK once doing so.

Young enough to garner experience and anticipation like many a defender- including those that aren't fast.

Bolton fans always wrote off academy players. It happened with Hunt, Vela and even Clough eventually. 
 

We always want “one of our own” but then always crave experienced chest beaters instead. Everyone’s else’s players are always better than our own products. 
 

The writing off of a 22 year local old lad who has just competed his 2nd season in senior football with 30+ appearances in a promoted team is wild. 
 

Just going sideways slightly, does anyone reckon Schu would ever get the Everton job. Its apparent he'd give both nuts to get it. 

4 minutes ago, auckland_bwfc said:

Just going sideways slightly, does anyone reckon Schu would ever get the Everton job. Its apparent he'd give both nuts to get it. 

Only proven in league 1 so far 

So that would be some reach 

No

Someone like Conway is going to be vital next season, even if he doesn't start. Putting him in at left wing could help hold a lead when legs tire and 4231 becomes a psudo 811. 

26 minutes ago, boltonboris said:

Bolton fans always wrote off academy players. It happened with Hunt, Vela and even Clough eventually. 
 

We always want “one of our own” but then always crave experienced chest beaters instead. Everyone’s else’s players are always better than our own products. 
 

The writing off of a 22 year local old lad who has just competed his 2nd season in senior football with 30+ appearances in a promoted team is wild. 
 

Pretty much, stepped up a league each season, 

Bolton fans are very quick to write anyone off tbh, in Schumacher we trust 

50 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

I got no end of shite for saying Conway will gravitate to midfield.

But he will.

Not at a high level.  He might play there for a Wigan or Northampton but not for Bolton.  We will always have better in midfield and/or on the wing.

If he makes it with us its either at LB or LWB, but currently LWB isn't an option under SS so he'd have to wait.

For what it's worth, I'm not writing him off

I just think the best thing for his development is another season honing/learning his craft in the league we've just been promoted from

58 minutes ago, boltonboris said:

Bolton fans always wrote off academy players. It happened with Hunt, Vela and even Clough eventually. 
 

We always want “one of our own” but then always crave experienced chest beaters instead. Everyone’s else’s players are always better than our own products. 
 

The writing off of a 22 year local old lad who has just competed his 2nd season in senior football with 30+ appearances in a promoted team is wild. 
 

Agree entirely. 

He wasn't expected to be a first choice full back this season, but forced the manager's hand.

I reckon he will get physically stronger too.

1 hour ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

I got no end of shite for saying Conway will gravitate to midfield.

But he will.

Stevie wonder can see he is a better midfielder than a defender.....Will have a good career primly as a midfielder

Same story as with George Thomason. The amount of stick he used to get from our own fans was unreal. 

Although I do agree with other posters in that another year in League 1 might be the making of him.

34 minutes ago, Zog1 said:

Someone like Conway is going to be vital next season, even if he doesn't start. Putting him in at left wing could help hold a lead when legs tire and 4231 becomes a psudo 811. 

unless he has 50m to invest in the team.  if we go 4231 next season and he keeps the core of the present team we will be relegated.

5 hours ago, kent_white said:

I still think that technically - Conway is one of the best players at the club. 

 

Quite possibly the maddest thing I've ever read on this forum.

Absolutely mind blowing

 

6 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

Stevie wonder can see he is a better midfielder than a defender.....Will have a good career primly as a midfielder

I’m getting used to your categoric definitive claims 😂

You and everybody including blind people (low bar) can see he’s a better midfielder..

…yet to this point Schumacher and his previous two managers haven’t seen this.

Im not saying you’re not allowed to have an opinion and Im not saying that MC hasn’t shown glimpses of midfield qualities.

Maybe you are being contrary for a reaction and including a WB as a midfielder..

But I fail to see how you’re right (he’s a better midfielder) and his previous 3 managers are wrong (playing him as a FB and WB) 

Conway will never play in midfield for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship.

He's just about a good enough LWB for league 1 and certainly not a full back.

 

I'm not writing the lad off, but he has plenty of improving to do to be a decent Championship player.

He's also 23 at the start of next season, so he's not a youngster anymore in football terms.

Just now, desperado said:

I’m getting used to your categoric definitive claims 😂

You and everybody including blind people (low bar) can see he’s a better midfielder..

…yet to this point Schumacher and his previous two managers haven’t seen this.

Im not saying you’re not allowed to have an opinion and Im not saying that MC hasn’t shown glimpses of midfield qualities.

Maybe you are being contrary for a reaction and including a WB as a midfielder..

But I fail to see how you’re right (he’s a better midfielder) and his previous 3 managers are wrong (playing him as a FB and WB) 

I also said and you can look it up on here George Thomason will end up as a left back....A good few managers could not see that.

I do not think Conway gets in the midfield if we play two as this season but in a three/ four man midfield he will play most of his career there.

Its nothing but my opinion you can have yours

You certainly do not have to agree with me, not a chance in hell he starts next season left back for us. So he will have to adapt or move on. I think he is good enough to adapt

3 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

I also said and you can look it up on here George Thomason will end up as a left back....A good few managers could not see that.

I do not think Conway gets in the midfield if we play two as this season but in a three/ four man midfield he will play most of his career there.

Its nothing but my opinion you can have yours

You certainly do not have to agree with me, not a chance in hell he starts next season left back for us. So he will have to adapt or move on. I think he is good enough to adapt

Fair enough a good response to back your claim if you saw Thomason playing the role he’s playing now.

I’d love you to be right about Conway and I’d give you credit if that’s where we end up seeing him, but I just don’t see it myself. 

2 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

I also said and you can look it up on here George Thomason will end up as a left back....A good few managers could not see that.

I do not think Conway gets in the midfield if we play two as this season but in a three/ four man midfield he will play most of his career there.

Its nothing but my opinion you can have yours

You certainly do not have to agree with me, not a chance in hell he starts next season left back for us. So he will have to adapt or move on. I think he is good enough to adapt

Tbf think GT has played left of a 3 cb and certainly not a wing back.

He was tried there a few times under Evatt.

There's absolutely nothing I've seen of Conway to suggest he can adapt in to a midfield worthy of the championship. 

Our manager picked a CB over him at full back in our most important games and he was hauled off at Wembley after having a nightmare, admittedly with zero cover.

He's a good lad and good player but never in a million years does he start in any position for us next season.

We need miles better.

A few mazy runs a year ago doesn't make up for zero positional sense and getting caught flat footed.

 

Just now, desperado said:

Fair enough a good response to back your claim if you saw Thomason playing the role he’s playing now.

I’d love you to be right about Conway and I’d give you credit if that’s where we end up seeing him, but I just don’t see it myself. 

He is the modern fullback/wing back at the moment but his defending is not good enough to play as a full back

He will have more freedom in midfield, he can run all day, tackle and pass. Jumps out for me. Is he good enough to play now in a SS team i would say no only because we play with only two.