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Tuesday's home draw with Reading saw Bolton Wanderers lose three more first-teamers to injury.
Following the game, manager Neil Lennon decried his club's thin squad, and since then online chat has centered around the number of players that the club has out on loan, and whether they should be recalled to help the squad as they limp towards the end of the season and a much-needed break.
Let's go through them one-by-one:
|
Pos. |
Name |
To |
Bring Back? |
|
DF |
Much-maligned full/centre back, the former Blackpool man has spent the entire 2014/15 season on loan at rivals Blackburn. A prime candidate to be recalled, Baptiste is a versatile defender who struggled during Dougie Freedman's tenure, with uncertainty over his best position often cited by the Scot. He could provide back-up across the whole defence, and this is a highly prized ability in these uncertain times. It would also free up Josh Vela to return to his best position in midfield. |
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|
MF |
Another player who has suffered the ire of our all-knowing fanbase. The Republic of Ireland international was shipped out a bit too easily for my liking, but reports of his struggles in League One with MK Dons is a concern. Shame that it didn't work out at Bolton Wanderers, but I think his time at this level is over. |
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|
FW |
Ditto for J-Beckz, the ex-Leeds United striker never truly settled at Bolton, and never delivered on the promises made by Freedman upon his signing. Has found goals and form similarly hard to come by at Preston North End, and with his contract expiring in the Summer it is highly unlikely that he'll ever pull on a Bolton shirt again - even considering our attacking shortcomings. |
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|
MF |
Another one of Dougie's duds, Medo started well in his first half year at the club, but his second season was fairly disastrous. Reports from Israel have been mixed, and so he's another one who has seemingly played his last game for the club. We are very light in midfield, but Neil Lennon's reluctance to select Medo in the first place makes any potential return unlikely. |
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|
DF |
Niall Maher |
The Wanderers youngster has only made a couple of appearances for the hapless Seasiders. A regular member of our reserve and Development Squads, Maher is reportedly a target for Lee Clark as he already shapes his side ahead of next year's battle against relegation to League Two. Unlikely to return, he's a member of the youth side who was long thought of as a likely candidate for the first team, but it never quite happened for him. Wish him good luck at Blackpool - I think he's going to need it. |
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|
MF |
Bolton's Player of the Year during his initial loan spell from Liverpool is another who struggled during his second season. Reportedly dropped following a row with Lennon after the away defeat to Norwich City, the midfielder was soon sent out on loan to Blackburn. This is one example of a player who I think would improve us, should he return. He's not exactly Xavi, but to have him doing Barry Bannan's dirty work could free up the on-loan Crystal Palace man to play a bit further forward and use his talents in an attacking sense. |
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|
MF |
The Wanderers academy graduate has suffered greatly through injury in recent times. He scored on his debut for Coventry City who he joined on loan at the end of January although has failed to trouble the stat-keepers since. His versatility could well be an asset going forward but it must be considered unlikely that he'll make an early return to the Reebok. |
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|
FW |
The former Millwall man has broken into the Wanderers first team of late, but the arrival of Adam Le Fondre on loan has seen him return to Oldham to gain more experience ahead of a likely resuming of his first-team career at Bolton in 2015/16, |
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|
DF |
Who the hell knows where this one will end up. Word amongst United fans is that the deal has been done to keep him at Old Trafford permanently, with Saidy Janko making the move in the opposite direction. It's hard to see him making a go of it at United given their preference for expensive foreigners, but either way it's great to know that one of our very own is so highly rated. Wish him all the best, regardless of where he ends up. I'd love to have him back, but I'd be surprised. |
Do let me know if you agree or disagree.
Shove your comments below the line and let's get this issue sorted.