New Bolton Wanderers Manager: Three Man Shortlist Names

Now for a start I'm invoking a caveat - this is not definitive, however it has come the same source who allowed us to break the Dean Holdsworth news back in November.

This time, he's given us three names who make up the shortlist mentioned by new Bolton Wanderers chairman Ken Anderson in his press conference yesterday.

They are:

1) Chris Wilder - 11/4 (Paddy Power)

Currently leading League Two Northampton Town to title glory, the 48 year old Stocksbridge native is the wise man's choice to take over at the Reebok.

Has experience of the lower leagues, both with the Cobblers, Oxford United and Bury - garnering an impressive list of achievements most notably with his present employers who have achieved great success against a background of extreme financial constraints.

This experience could be crucial should he be given the reins at Bolton.

2) John Carver 8/1 - (SkyBet)

The former Newcastle United assistant manager is a longer shot, but he'll be cheap, and this could be an important attraction to the new regime at Bolton.

He has managed Newcastle on three occasions, twice as caretaker, as well as a stint at the top at Sheffield United, Toronto FC and Leeds United.

He's a shouty type, which people like, but he has the face of a bulldog licking piss from a nettle, which would put off others.

3) Steve Cotterill - 16/1 (Paddy Power)

The former Bristol City manager is out of work at the moment, having been relieved of his duties earlier in the season. He represents an experienced hand in League One, having led the Robins to promotion to the Championship.

Another shouty, pointy type, he is vastly experienced, with spells in charge of Cheltenham Town, Stoke City, Burnley, Notts County, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest coming before his time at Brizzle.

He would represent another sensible choice, other than the disturbing personal slant that I can put on him. Before my own wedding in 2014, the Bristol City team were in residence at the same hotel as my party - and we breakfasted together. Now, I noticed two things - former Everton striker Kieran Agard has his surname tattooed on his own forearm, and Steve Cotterill wore a suit to breakfast....with flip flops. Read into that what you will, but it marks him down as a wrongun in my book.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, the information we have been passed is that the above three represent the shortlisted names as hinted by Anderson in his press conference.

I'm a fan of Wilder, and I wouldn't be unhappy with Cotterill - but Carver is a weird one. I can't imagine why his name would be on the shortlist, which makes me think that it's probably true.

Which is concerning.

Let me know your thoughts below the line. Who do you want as Bolton manager?