Why Bolton Wanderers Should Not Sign David Wheater

First things first, I like David Wheater.

He was a good servant for Bolton Wanderers at at time where reliable performers were difficult to come by. In different circumstances and without the high amount of injuries, I think the big centre-half's time at Bolton Wanderers would have been more successful.

In his time at Bolton, Wheater has had to put up with some woeful centre back partners, the big hapless Zat Knight springs to mind, as does current defensive supremo Dorian Dervite and the much overrated American Tim Ream. The former Middlesborough  man always seemed the more assured no matter who he partnered and I am sure he has been a positive influenced on Rob Holding, now apparently destined for Arsenal.

All in all, I am sure most of us will remember Wheater fondly and his gesture to play at a reduced rate to finish on a relative high at Bolton was well received.

So with Rob Holding heading for the door and highly rated Mark Beevers already on next seasons squad list, new Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson probably needs one more centre back to cover as Bolton enter four competitions for the first time since the European days.

It has been long rumoured among us Twitter creatures that David Wheater, along with some other notable seniors, would rather stay at Bolton next season on reduced terms, rather than tout themselves new work as part of one of the worst Championship teams in some time.

Last week it emerged that Bolton Wanderers had invited Wheater back to train with Bolton on what seemed like a trial basis. Whilst I have no issue in helping a professional out in keeping fit and prolonging his own career, what concerns me is that it opens the door to a possibility I would rather avoid, no matter what terms were agreed.

The issue with Wheater, is that he is stained with failure and has been marred with being part of the worst period for Bolton Wanderers in a generation. He is not alone in this and I can't wait to see the back of other failures within the Bolton squad, Mark Davies and Darren Pratley particularly fit this bill and we need to move on from  them.

We need fresh blood, a clean break, if this was the same for Neil Lennon then it must surely apply to some of the players who have seen countless managers through the doors at Bolton.

Failure is a poison and it is often difficult to cure, sometimes the best thing it to cut it off and move on.
Wheater I am sure has offered himself to Bolton at a reduced rate and I urge Bolton to resist and focus on building a team to succeed, not fail.