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In no uncertain terms, Bolton Wanderers are looking to youth at all of the aspects of the first team. This includes bringing in a young and hungry manager that will shake things up within the team. However, it seems that due simply to the lack of forthcoming activity put on show by the club, the board are willing to wait to find the right man to permanently succeed Owen Coyle. As a result, it is looking more and more likely that not only will the team of Jimmy Phillips, Sammy Lee, and Julian Darby get to head up this weekend's match against Bristol City, but they'll be given some time to get the team firing.
While all the rumors today point to Sammy Lee as an option to succeed Owen Coyle, the training scene at the Euxton ground points to his partner, Jimmy Phillips, as the man in charge.
Note on training this morning – Jimmy Phillips leading session, Sammy and Julian doing coaching. JP man in charge.
— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) October 16, 2012
The club have not officially said who will take lead at this point.
There is, however, a fresh murmur coming out of the Reebok though in that Joe Riley will be handed his Championship debut come Saturday. The 21-year-old right back made a total of six starts and one substitute appearance across the League Cup, FA Cup, and Premier League last season. He was handed his league debut in Bolton's 5-0 Reebok romp of Stoke City last season, going the full 90 minutes in that match.
This season, Riley had not had a league look-in from Owen Coyle and has made just one appearance so far, going 90 in Bolton's 2-1 League Cup loss to Crawley Town. While Tyrone Mears, who has had the right back position all to his own this season, is not doing poorly by any stretch of the imagination, Riley's exclusion from the side left many fans scratching their heads.
As part of a new policy to emphasize bringing youth through the ranks and giving them the chance to succeed, it looks like the Phillips/Lee tag team will give Joe Riley a chance this weekend against Bristol City. We're not sure if it will actually happen or if there are other changes to be made (hopefully there are) but it will certainly be nice to see the young, hungry defender get a go.