Wanderers speculation Wonderwall

Whilst the 19/20 season continues in its half arsed way, Bolton have a new manager with his feet under the table who is fully focused on the refreshing prospect of actually being able to build a competitive squad for the coming campaign. As other clubs seem to believe the importance of being idle, whilst they await decisions on season start and salary caps, Bolton have decided to roll with it and get those players in.

The champagne supernova start with some quality signings has fan appetite properly wetted that more is to follow. So do the following players cover Ian Evatt’s masterplan?

More likely if reading this he will be mostly scratching his head. Speculation tends to be either from agents promoting their players or from those in the football fraternity who are passing on information from agents promoting their players. Hopefully though, some on the following list will be close to the mark and have Phoenix and co going for the cigarettes & alcohol. Anyhow, enough of my oasis of waffle; to the list!

Goalies:

Andy Lonergan 36 (soon to be free agent); now that he has more first class winners medals than you can shake an irresponsibly lit red flare at, Loners may fancy a last hurrah actually playing competitive games. Or maybe not. Just can’t see Bolton getting close to the glamour or finance needed to prize him away from signing on again at Anfield.

David Stockdale 34 (free agent Brum); like putting on a pair of comfy old slippers, the transfer window only feels properly started when you are linked with at least one player you’ve been linked with in numerous previous windows. Step forward David. Just can’t see this being a starter. The only thing that probably doesn’t get past him nowadays is a Greggs pasty.

Matt Gilks 38 (free agent Fleetwood); touted for the now vacant Goalkeeping Coach role, it seems to make sense that he could also be registered as our backup goalie. Hence his inclusion here.

Jussi Jääskeläinen 45 (retired!); as with Gilks, rumoured to have had a chat re the coaching role. No chance of re-registering as a player really but it’s Jussi FFS. I’ve got to have some slim reason to add him in the article.

Defenders:

Krystian Pearce 30 (free agent Mansfield); the centre back and Stags captain has been touted by one of the more reliable of the quickly multiplying EFL transfer Twitter accounts. Possibly past his best at L2 level.

Rhys Bennett 28 (free agent Peterborough); Could it be a return for the local lad and ex Bolton academy player? Why not as he ticks all the boxes & we need an experienced centre back. Another EFL Twitter source and nothing from the footie media though.

Jordan Turnbull 25 (free agent Northampton); Now I reckon that this one is a good bet. Excellent reputation and was only released by the recently promoted Cobblers because Keith Curle reckoned that they couldn’t afford to keep him! Next signing after Sarcevic?

Ben Heneghan 26 (released by Sheff Utd); another quality centre half who is likely to be exactly the type of player Evatt is after. However, he seems destined for Sunderland. But then again so was Doyle!

Kean Bryan 23 (loan from Sheff Utd); Ball playing CB/DM, yes please. Mooted that Bolton are interested after he was being offered out on loan for the last year of his contract (as surplus to requirements for the Blades). Surely too much quality and too costly for L2?

Note: not a single fullback or wing back has been mentioned. Positions going to be filled from our released list?

Midfielders:

Chris McCann 33 (free agent Oldham); Sorry but I’m just not buying into this one.

Ousseynou Cisse 29 (free agent L Orient); Another midfielder that I just don’t see happening.

Jay Spearing 31 DM (free agent Blackpool); I know that Bolton have asked about Jay & regardless of the ex-player love-in, he’s a quality L1 player who’d be a great replacement for & improvement on Lowe. Finance suggests it is unlikely though.

Ryan Edwards 26 CM (on contract to 2021 Blackpool); Another quality player & if released by Blackpool could this be someone else we steal from Salford as per the following player?

Antoni Sarcevic 28 CM (free agent Plymouth); as per Doyle this time last week, it’s a done deal, the end. No doubt we will have to wait for the club media’s US Office gif at 1645 on Friday for formal confirmation though...

Jamie Devitt 30 AM (Blackpool); A surprise to me as we have Crawford/Darcy signed up but big rumours persist that Bolton are after him. No idea as to whether this is likely or not to be honest.

Filipe Morais RW/LW 34 (on contract to 2021 Crawley); a recent addition. Loved this fella. What a spell he had with us. Impressively fit for his age as well but alas a return is unlikely to happen.

Strikers:

Note: we have since got Doyle & the following were pre Evatt rumours.

Tom Pratt 24 (on contract to 2021 Hyde Utd); not happening.

Kurt Willoughby 22 (on contract to 2021 AFC Flyde); got an article in the BN but don’t see it going any further.