Why Bolton Wanderers need Adam Le Fondre

Adam Le Fondre. The mere mention of his name makes Bolton Wanderers fans go weak at the knees. Wanderers fans have always become infatuated with loan players. El-Hadji Diouf, Jack Wilshere, Daniel Sturridge and Lukas Jutkiewicz being prime examples.

The love Bolton fans feel for Le Fondre is justified. Tasked with filling the gap left by cult hero Lee Chung-Yong in January 2015, Adam Le Fondre managed eight goals in only seventeen games.

Some Bolton fans even tried to raise the money themselves to ensure Le Fondre would return last season, raising over £700 which rightly went to charity.

Now, for what feels like the hundredth time, Adam Le Fondre is being linked with a return to the Macron Stadium. Although this time, it seems like it might just be more than rumours. The Bolton News reporter Marc Iles have confirmed on twitter than Le Fondre has held talks with the club over a possible move.

Whilst some might only see this as fan service, like shoehorning a pointless cameo into a film for no reason, signing Adam Le Fondre is a no brainer.

You can see why there might be some reluctance from some sections of the Wanderers faithful. After his spell with Bolton, Le Fondre has only scored four goals in thirty-seven league games.

That being said, it's an unfair record given the fact he has mainly been used as a spare part by both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic.

Also, Le Fondre's form prior to his first Bolton spell was less than encouraging. He had only managed three goals in twenty-one games for Cardiff City before moving to the North West.

Adam Le Fondre is the one thing that Bolton are missing: a recognised goalscorer. He has scored goals at all levels in English football, and if you add that to a Wanderers squad that is already bursting with talent, you get a side fully equipped to achieve promotion at the end of the season.

You might be thinking: 'we can’t change the formation', and 'why spend money on Le Fondre when it should go on getting Sammy Ameobi back'.

Both are valid points. But you don't need to really change the formation. The 4-2-3-1 with Gary Madine playing the target man for Josh Vela, Zach Clough and now James Henry works. It's the reason we're third in the league.

There's no reason why Adam Le Fondre can't be utilized as a 'super sub'. Look at his spell with Reading in the Premier League, Le Fondre scored twelve goals despite the fact he only started eleven games. Bolton have been guilty of missing chances at vital times this season. The away losses to Rochdale and Chesterfield being two games in which points were lost over missed opportunities. Having a player like Le Fondre coming on to change the game could be integral going into the final third of the season.

If you need to change the formation, Le Fondre's first spell proves he can play with Zach Clough. The pair forged a great partnership back in the 2014/2015 season, and with Josh Vela now playing in a creative role, the three can really be a formidable force for Wanderers. Plus, it's easy to think that Le Fondre could be a great mentor for Clough.

In regards to Sammy Ameobi, Bolton already have a ready made replacement in James Henry. The Crystal Palace game proved Henry is a tidy player, and if Ameobi doesn't return, Wanderers are in safe hands.

Finally, Adam Le Fondre is a free agent in the Summer. Phil Parkinson has previously stated he doesn't sign loan players for the fun of it, and i'm sure ALF would be willing to make the loan spell permanent this time.

So, there you are. Adam Le Fondre is not only a fans favourite, but a player who is a game changer and can be the final piece in Wanderers' promotion squad.

It's a no brainer.