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Tim Ream believes everyone in the Wanderers squad is ‘on trial’ between now and the end of the season.
The US international foresees a summer of big changes at the Macron Stadium as Neil Lennon looks to put his own stamp on his team.
Ream signed a new deal at the start of this season but with question marks hanging over the future of several of his established team-mates, he recognises there is still plenty to play for in the remaining 11 games.
“You’re always playing for a spot on the field, whether it’s the next game or the next season,” he told The Bolton News.
“The manager is obviously going to bring in quite a few of his own guys, plus the fact we’ve got nine players out of contract and seven or eight loanees, that’s close to 17 players who could go out of the door.
“It doesn’t even matter if you’re in my position and you’re under contract because between now and the end of the season you’re playing for your place on the field next year. We’ve got to finish strong.”
Wanderers resume Championship duties on Wednesday night against local rivals Blackburn Rovers with two new signings potentially vying for a starting place.
Giles Coke and Paddy McCarthy should both be cleared to feature at Ewood Park, bringing the total of loan players at the club up to nine.
Ream admits it has been a challenge to accommodate so many new signings in such a short space of time but with Zach Clough, David Wheater and Kevin McNaughton now added to a lengthy injury list, it has been a case of needs must.
“It has been bizarre,” he said. “With so many guys going down injured, most of them have been the ones actually owned by the club.
“It was strange at first seeing all the loanees in the January window, they came in like a flood.
“There was a little transition period where they all needed to settle in but I think that’s done now.
“Guys like Saidy and Barry fit in perfectly and they’re doing well.
“It was an interesting transition at first but when you need help, you need help.”
Ream is generally content with his campaign to date, the defender having made more starts in the Championship (31) than any other Wanderers first team player.
Last season’s player of the year has had his ups and downs – including leaving the pitch on a stretcher at Nottingham Forest just a couple of weeks ago – but feels he has done his bit for the cause.
“I’ve just tried to do the same things as I did last year,” he said. “If you want to stay in the team you’ve got to try and stay consistent and if you have a down game then you’ve got to try and pick yourself up as quickly as possible for the next one.
“The games come so thick and fast in this league you don’t get a lot of time to think about the bad ones.”
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The US international foresees a summer of big changes at the Macron Stadium as Neil Lennon looks to put his own stamp on his team.
Ream signed a new deal at the start of this season but with question marks hanging over the future of several of his established team-mates, he recognises there is still plenty to play for in the remaining 11 games.
“You’re always playing for a spot on the field, whether it’s the next game or the next season,” he told The Bolton News.
“The manager is obviously going to bring in quite a few of his own guys, plus the fact we’ve got nine players out of contract and seven or eight loanees, that’s close to 17 players who could go out of the door.
“It doesn’t even matter if you’re in my position and you’re under contract because between now and the end of the season you’re playing for your place on the field next year. We’ve got to finish strong.”
Wanderers resume Championship duties on Wednesday night against local rivals Blackburn Rovers with two new signings potentially vying for a starting place.
Giles Coke and Paddy McCarthy should both be cleared to feature at Ewood Park, bringing the total of loan players at the club up to nine.
Ream admits it has been a challenge to accommodate so many new signings in such a short space of time but with Zach Clough, David Wheater and Kevin McNaughton now added to a lengthy injury list, it has been a case of needs must.
“It has been bizarre,” he said. “With so many guys going down injured, most of them have been the ones actually owned by the club.
“It was strange at first seeing all the loanees in the January window, they came in like a flood.
“There was a little transition period where they all needed to settle in but I think that’s done now.
“Guys like Saidy and Barry fit in perfectly and they’re doing well.
“It was an interesting transition at first but when you need help, you need help.”
Ream is generally content with his campaign to date, the defender having made more starts in the Championship (31) than any other Wanderers first team player.
Last season’s player of the year has had his ups and downs – including leaving the pitch on a stretcher at Nottingham Forest just a couple of weeks ago – but feels he has done his bit for the cause.
“I’ve just tried to do the same things as I did last year,” he said. “If you want to stay in the team you’ve got to try and stay consistent and if you have a down game then you’ve got to try and pick yourself up as quickly as possible for the next one.
“The games come so thick and fast in this league you don’t get a lot of time to think about the bad ones.”
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