Ian Evatt and his Bolton recruitment team have had a largely successful start to the summer transfer window, bringing in four new arrivals and re-signing Dan Nlundulu after last season’s loan spell.
However, purported deals for Bristol City’s Kane Wilson and St Mirren midfielder Keanu Baccus have since faltered, leaving Wanderers looking light in several positions but where do Bolton need to strengthen by the end of the transfer window?
Bolton’s current first-team squad
Following the acquisitions of Nathan Baxter, Joel Coleman, Josh Dacres-Cogley and the permanent signing of Dan Nlundulu, Bolton find themselves with 21 senior players, a squad that can be supplemented with some of the more promising B Team players should the need arise.
It should be noted that number also includes Kieran Sadlier whose future at Bolton is uncertain after a successful loan spell with Leyton Orient at the end of last season and due to the fact he typically plays as a winger, a position that Ian Evatt’s Bolton no longer uses.
As things stand, the current squad includes the following players, some of whom can play in multiple positions, offering up some much-needed versatility.
Goalkeepers
Nathan Baxter | GK
Joel Coleman | GK
Defenders
Gethin Jones | RWB, CB
Declan John | LWB
Ricard Sandos | CB
George Johnston | CB
Jack Iredale | CB, LWB
Eoin Toal | CB
Randell Williams | LWB
Josh Dacres-Cogley | RWB
Will Forrester | CB
Midfielders
MJ Williams | CM, CB
Kieran Sadlier | RWB, CAM
Josh Sheehan | CM
Aaron Morley | CM
Kyle Dempsey | CM, CAM
George Thomason | CM
Forwards
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson | ST
Dion Charles | ST
Victor Adeboyejo | ST
Cameron Jerome | ST
Dan Nlundulu | ST, CAM
At the back, this leaves Ian Evatt with two goalkeeping options, three players who can potentially play at right-wing-back, seven possible centre-backs and the choice between three left-wing-backs.
In midfield, Wanderers have five players comfortable in occupying central midfield roles as well as three possible options for an attacking midfield spot.
And lastly, upfront, there are a total of five forwards currently in Bolton’s senior squad.
Positions that need strengthening at Bolton before transfer window ends
RWB | With the potential departure of Kieran Sadlier, Bolton will likely find themselves with two options down the right-hand side in Gethin Jones and Josh Dacres-Cogley. The latter was highly rated in League Two last season but he has to follow in the footsteps of Conor Bradley who is being touted for first-team football at Liverpool this season, suggesting that another high-quality option could be needed. Kane Wilson seemed to be on the verge of signing for Bolton but the deal to bring him from Bristol City has since been shelved.
CM | Ian Evatt has already been on the lookout for some more quality in midfield with St Mirren’s Keanu Baccus emerging as a target. With that deal seemingly falling through, Wanderers will surely be looking into other options – ideally, someone who possesses both the defensive nous of MJ Williams and the passing ability of Josh Sheehan.
CAM | Following the departures of Kieran Lee, Elias Kachunga and Shola Shoretire, Wanderers’ attacking midfield options are potentially limited, especially if Kieran Sadlier does end up departing. A playmaking talent who can also add the occasional goal would be ideal in this position.
ST | In terms of numbers, Bolton should easily have enough options up front with five strikers currently in the squad. However, there are question marks hanging around the front line’s ability to get goals, beyond Dion Charles, as Wanderers trailed many of their promotion-chasing rivals on the goalscoring front last season – sitting roughly 20 goals behind Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth and 30 goals behind Ipswich. Evatt will undoubtedly be hoping that a full pre-season can help the likes of Adeboyejo and Nlundulu to start adding goals to their game, but if not, another out-and-out goal scorer might be needed at Bolton before the transfer window ends.
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