Manager in market for left-back

Dougie Freedman has outlined initial plans to strengthen his squad in the upcoming January transfer window, with a new left-back his top priority.

Bolton are currently without a recognised left-back in the first team squad after Marc Tierney fractured his foot against Yeovil in September.

As a result Alex Baptiste has filled in, though Freedman has drawn up a list of potential targets with his recruitment team, with a new full-back at the top of the agenda.

“We need to add a left-back, there’s no doubt about that,” Freedman said in his pre-match press conference.

“That’s where a little bit of bad luck has come in for us this season. It’s the one position that we haven’t got any cover in.

“Unfortunately we don’t have a younger player in the development squad who is ready to step up right now.

“Alex has done a good job for us in most of the games, but there is going to be times when he is wrong-footed or that he is going to come up against a difficult opponent.

“I still believe that we could also do with a little bit of pace out wide and as a manager you’re always on the lookout for goal-scoring strikers.

“There are also positions that we feel we are ready to make a move on if certain players move out if we get the right money for them.

“Over the year that I have been involved, this is a fantastic club to work for because there is a set plan in place. All I do is implement that plan.

“We’ve made the team more energetic and dynamic and we will continue to try and move the club forward.

“At this moment in time we have got a list of five players that we would like to add to the squad.

“We’ve also got to be realistic that we also have to move people out. I have got a responsibility to the board to make sure that the finances are sound.

“I’ve also got a responsibility to the fans to make sure that we’ve got a football club that is moving in the right direction.

“We look forward to January and we will see what happens.”

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Now read between those lines and realise what a state we're in!!

We have been using Baptiste out of position for ages. It's obvious to a blind man that we need a decent left back. The position has never been covered properly since Alonso jumped ship.

To be fair he did buy Tirney who unfortunately is long term injured.

Sorry Tierney

Tierney looked okay but we need proper cover for long term injuries.

Let me guess, another loan.

We need a fucking striker that can finish...

We don't need a striker, Rebel, because Dougie's had a word with Ngog and told him to try a bit harder at not being so shit, so everything's going to be fine.........

Breadman wrote:We don't need a striker, Rebel, because Dougie's had a word with Ngog and told him to try a bit harder at not being so shit, so everything's going to be fine.........

...You can find that article in the Bolton Wanderers News Section or [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  

This is why we should have never let Ricketts go, it was going to be bloody obvious even in the summer once Alonso had gone that we would need a left back and cover for that position. The guy could play anywhere along the back 4.

aaron_bwfc wrote:This is why we should have never let Ricketts go, it was going to be bloody obvious even in the summer once Alonso had gone that we would need a left back and cover for that position. The guy could play anywhere along the back 4.

I wasn't too fussed about Rickets to be honest, even though he was versatile. Ricketts was one of our big earners and with his place not guaranteed anymore, it was a sensible decision to let him leave.

Alonso was a mistake and I think Dougie has pretty much admitted, that he could have done more to try and make the lad stay. What's a little disappointing though, is that Alonso has only made 2 appearances for Fiorentina since joining them last summer.

We could loan you Northern Ireland international Danny Lafferty for a few months. Obviously with a clause saying that we can have him back if Ben Mee got injured.

It could be a loan swap, Danny Lafferty for Craig Davies.

I'll get onto the Ginger master to see what he thinks.

I've got a brilliant idea! Chelsea still owe us a loan player as part of the Gary Cahill deal, so why not let Chelsea loan us Ashley Cole for the remainder of the season? Chelsea can pay 90% of his wages too!  

Culcheth_White wrote:I've got a brilliant idea! Chelsea still owe us a loan player as part of the Gary Cahill deal, so why not let Chelsea loan us Ashley Cole for the remainder of the season? Chelsea can pay 90% of his wages too!  

Surely this loan thing is a myth? Dougie may be an idiot, but surely even he could see the benefit of bringing a Chelsea reserve player in.
I reckon Torres is better than Ngog.

Natasha Whittam wrote:

Culcheth_White wrote:I've got a brilliant idea! Chelsea still owe us a loan player as part of the Gary Cahill deal, so why not let Chelsea loan us Ashley Cole for the remainder of the season? Chelsea can pay 90% of his wages too!  

Surely this loan thing is a myth? Dougie may be an idiot, but surely even he could see the benefit of bringing a Chelsea reserve player in.
I reckon Torres is better than Ngog.

Trust me, the loan thing still stands with Chelsea, there is no time scale on the deal, as far as I am aware.

I see that Danny Fox got a rare outing for Southampton today, he even set one of their goals up.

Looks like he'll have to be crossed off the list.