5 Non-League Attackers Bolton Wanderers Should Sign

Oladapo Afolayan - ST - Solihull Moors

The 21 year old front man has had an odd career in football thus far having started at Chelsea, moving to Toronto and then returning to study Engineering at Loughborough University. His form for the university football team earned him a move to National League side Solihull Moors. He has 10 goals to his name so far this season and is amongst the top scorers of the division. All the more impressive when you consider that Solihull are in the relegation zone. He is described as a raw player with bags of pace. Given his previous football education he is very much a prime candidate for being a hidden gem. There’s every chance he could be higher up the divisions if he hadn’t moved to Canada or focused on university. His talent hasn’t gone unnoticed with both Swansea City and Leicester City both keeping tabs on the young front man. If he can manage a decent return in a struggling side he is certainly capable of a step up.

Danny Rowe - ST - AFC Fydle

The only player to make it back on from last years list and the stats back up why. Rowe scores, a lot. 13 goals 7 assists (top scorer in the league) in 25 games despite being the new boys in the division after promotion. He finished last season with 32 goals with 55 in total for 2016. He started his career at Manchester United but dropped down to the non-leagues. Whilst Rowe offers little in terms of physicality the ability to finish shouldn’t be over looked. Certainly not a bad option to throw on if you’re needing a goal. Could he make the step up? Well I tend to think that finishing is a mental attribute as much as a physical one. Whilst some players score a lot in lower leagues due to their physicality, they struggle higher up because that is matched. Rowe relies completely on his ability to finish and positioning and I reckon that makes him a good candidate to make the step up well.

Reise Allassani - CAM/RW/LW- Dulwich Hamlet FC

Perhaps the most coveted name on the list with the most recent gossip being a transfer tug of war between Celtic and Rangers for the ex-Crystal Palace attacker. During his time at Palace Allassani played as a striker and was marked to follow in the footsteps of Victor Moses and Wilfred Zaha. Palace released him due to the sheer numbers in his position in the first team and an injury curtailed offers from Championship clubs immediately after which left him dropping to non-league football. This season, the attacker has 17 goals in 17 games, a truly jaw dropping figure for a player who doesn’t play as an out and out striker. He has explosive pace and is technically gifted. As previously mentioned this had led to a lot of interest with SPL, Championship and League 1 clubs all interested. Whilst we don’t have the resources to bid against these clubs, if we get the first bid in, who knows. I could certainly see him doing very well behind Gary Madine.

Simon Ainge - ST - Harrogate Town

Speaking of Gary Madine, if rumours are to be believed we might need a replacement for him pronto. Needless to say that replacement will have to be cheap. Regardless if Madine goes however the only comparable back up for the target man is Aaron Wilbraham who has been worse than ineffective thus far. Step in to frame, Simon Ainge. The 6ft 1 striker was a central defender until last season where Harrogate town switched him to being a striker with resounding success. In his first season as a striker he scored 22 goals in 39 games and has managed 12 goals in 10 this year. Stats like that are hard to argue with, especially given his lack of experience in the role. He can play CB as well making him versatile as well as prolific. Given his lack of notoriety in the role Wanderers could sneak themselves a genuine hidden gem.

Kurtis Cumberbatch - LW/RW - Harrow Borough

Although a midfielder by trade, Cumberbatch has recently moved in to a more advanced role, with marked success making him eligible for this list. The pacey and direct winger has already been linked with Wanderers in the most reputable of sources, The Daily Star. In 17 games he has racked up 5 goals and 10 assists (as of December 1st) meaning he hasn’t directly contributed to a goal in only 2 games this season. All the more amazing when it is considered that Harrow Borough are the league stragglers. He started his career at Spurs but has since dropped down the football pyramid. His performances have made him a wanted man with Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and a host of League 1 and 2 clubs after him.