Home
The overhaul of players at Wanderers in the last few seasons has meant there has been little time for fans to become attached to their heroes in white.
Over the last three seasons, an incredible 91 different players have pulled on a Bolton shirt and only two – Will Buckley and Connor Hall – have done so in each campaign.
Another summer of wholesale change looks like it is on the cards for Bolton as they adapt to life after relegation to League Two and the potential of salary capping to come.
A total of 15 players are out of contract at the end of this month and though the club is yet to announce its retained list, we decided to review how likely each is to stay at the University of Bolton Stadium based on what we know so far.
JOSH EMMANUEL
The attacking full-back is a rarity among Bolton players in that he did an interview with a YouTube channel during lockdown in which he admitted he would want to stay if the offer was right. Many would be happy to see the 22-year-old stay.
JOE BUNNEY
The former Rochdale and Northampton left-back had little chance to show what he could do at Wanderers last season because of injuries sustained in a car accident. At 26, he might well be worth another look in League Two.
JASON LOWE
Arguably Wanderers’ most consistent player of 19/20 but a player who had never even played in League One until last August. Asking him to drop down again would be some sacrifice.
JACK HOBBS
When fit, as dependable a centre-back as you’d wish to have, but Hobbs potentially faces another summer proving he can string games together. Plenty at Bolton will be hoping he can.
WILL BUCKLEY
Like Hobbs, Buckley has spent too much of the last 12 months on the side-lines. It has been 11 years since he played at League Two level with Rochdale – so at 30, he may have to take that step backwards to progress once again.
LUKE MURPHY
It has been a difficult couple of years at Bolton for Murphy and it would surprise nobody if he looked to start afresh elsewhere. Carried a Championship contract into this season, so finances could also come into it.
DARYL MURPHY
The Irishman showed last season that he still has plenty left in the tank at the age of 37 but the last six months have not been a happy run and it seems unlikely that he will fancy dropping down another division.
CHRIS O’GRADY
Knows the level of football and would be within budget but with Bolton looking to go down the ‘Moneyball’ route it is hard to see them bringing back the experienced front man.
ALI CRAWFORD
Fans would love to see the Scot back in a Bolton shirt after he was side-lined for so long this season, but his displays will not have gone unnoticed, and there may well be offers from elsewhere.
JACOB MELLIS
Didn’t make a huge impact in his few months at Wanderers and reportedly has issues off-the-field which will need to be resolved before his football career can move on.
REMI MATTHEWS
After nailing down the number one position for the last 18 months it would be good for the stability of the club to see Matthews contracted to next season – but his previous deal was signed in the Championship and there will be an orderly queue of clubs happy to take a 26-year-old keeper with 120-plus first team appearances under his belt, so certainly no guarantees.
JOE DODOO
His first season was unquestionably a case of unfulfilled potential, yet things could be very different for Dodoo if played regularly in a central role in a team creating chances. Could Wanderers tempt him to stay? Don’t write it off.
CONNOR HALL
Should have been given a chance last season but ended up out on loan at National League Chorley – and it might be that the young striker needs to gather some games together at that level before going again.
RONAN DARCY
It is looking positive that the academy midfielder will pen his first professional contract with Wanderers, which would be a massive boost for the fans. If he can keep up his rate of progress from the last 12 months, he could be a hugely important player for the Whites as they look to bounce back up the leagues.
YOAN ZOUMA
The signs did not look good at the end of last season for the Frenchman and if the expected change in management and academy staff goes ahead, it is hard to see him staying on with Bolton. If someone can instil some discipline into his game, there’s certainly a player in there somewhere.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Over the last three seasons, an incredible 91 different players have pulled on a Bolton shirt and only two – Will Buckley and Connor Hall – have done so in each campaign.
Another summer of wholesale change looks like it is on the cards for Bolton as they adapt to life after relegation to League Two and the potential of salary capping to come.
A total of 15 players are out of contract at the end of this month and though the club is yet to announce its retained list, we decided to review how likely each is to stay at the University of Bolton Stadium based on what we know so far.
JOSH EMMANUEL
The attacking full-back is a rarity among Bolton players in that he did an interview with a YouTube channel during lockdown in which he admitted he would want to stay if the offer was right. Many would be happy to see the 22-year-old stay.
JOE BUNNEY
The former Rochdale and Northampton left-back had little chance to show what he could do at Wanderers last season because of injuries sustained in a car accident. At 26, he might well be worth another look in League Two.
JASON LOWE
Arguably Wanderers’ most consistent player of 19/20 but a player who had never even played in League One until last August. Asking him to drop down again would be some sacrifice.
JACK HOBBS
When fit, as dependable a centre-back as you’d wish to have, but Hobbs potentially faces another summer proving he can string games together. Plenty at Bolton will be hoping he can.
WILL BUCKLEY
Like Hobbs, Buckley has spent too much of the last 12 months on the side-lines. It has been 11 years since he played at League Two level with Rochdale – so at 30, he may have to take that step backwards to progress once again.
LUKE MURPHY
It has been a difficult couple of years at Bolton for Murphy and it would surprise nobody if he looked to start afresh elsewhere. Carried a Championship contract into this season, so finances could also come into it.
DARYL MURPHY
The Irishman showed last season that he still has plenty left in the tank at the age of 37 but the last six months have not been a happy run and it seems unlikely that he will fancy dropping down another division.
CHRIS O’GRADY
Knows the level of football and would be within budget but with Bolton looking to go down the ‘Moneyball’ route it is hard to see them bringing back the experienced front man.
ALI CRAWFORD
Fans would love to see the Scot back in a Bolton shirt after he was side-lined for so long this season, but his displays will not have gone unnoticed, and there may well be offers from elsewhere.
JACOB MELLIS
Didn’t make a huge impact in his few months at Wanderers and reportedly has issues off-the-field which will need to be resolved before his football career can move on.
REMI MATTHEWS
After nailing down the number one position for the last 18 months it would be good for the stability of the club to see Matthews contracted to next season – but his previous deal was signed in the Championship and there will be an orderly queue of clubs happy to take a 26-year-old keeper with 120-plus first team appearances under his belt, so certainly no guarantees.
JOE DODOO
His first season was unquestionably a case of unfulfilled potential, yet things could be very different for Dodoo if played regularly in a central role in a team creating chances. Could Wanderers tempt him to stay? Don’t write it off.
CONNOR HALL
Should have been given a chance last season but ended up out on loan at National League Chorley – and it might be that the young striker needs to gather some games together at that level before going again.
RONAN DARCY
It is looking positive that the academy midfielder will pen his first professional contract with Wanderers, which would be a massive boost for the fans. If he can keep up his rate of progress from the last 12 months, he could be a hugely important player for the Whites as they look to bounce back up the leagues.
YOAN ZOUMA
The signs did not look good at the end of last season for the Frenchman and if the expected change in management and academy staff goes ahead, it is hard to see him staying on with Bolton. If someone can instil some discipline into his game, there’s certainly a player in there somewhere.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
