Dougie Freedman left his position a manager of Bolton Wanderers Football Club by Mutual Consent on Friday. That's the headline. But there is more. Assistant manager Lennie Lawrence and first team coach Curtis Fleming also left the team. This is an unfortunate side effect of the football management team model. The head guy gets to bring in his own assistants. The benefits: He knows them, he trusts them, and they understand what he is doing. The liabilities: They are dependent upon him for their jobs, loyal to the man instead of the club, and likely to leave the same time he does. That means you end up with your goalkeeping coach and your under-18's assistant leading the club.
Now, I have nothing against Lee Turner or Andy Hughes. I am sure they are both lovely men. However, the have no business being in charge of a professional football club. And this has a knock-on effect. It puts a rush on the search for a replacement, which is the last thing we need. But I digress.
It's time to pick the team for the match. Given how little we know about the footballing philosophies of Turner and Hughes, no one can claim to know what formation, tactics, or team selection will look like tomorrow. That said, what I have posted is my personal choice of formation, lineup, and tactics. Consider it my application for the job.
Andy Lonergan
Chris Herd Matt Mills Dorian Dervite Tim Ream
Rob Hall Medo Kamara Josh Vela Neil Danns
Craig Davies Joe Mason
Subs: Paddy Kenny, Max Clayton, Liam Feeney, Oscar Threlkeld, Chung-Yong Lee, Jay Spearing, Jermaine Beckford
There it is. I'll be waiting for your call Mr. Gartside.