Bolton Wanderers boss 'close' to naming new club captain after Thomason exit

4 days ago

STEVEN Schumacher says he is close to naming the next official captain of Bolton Wanderers – but notes that his dressing room has a few excellent candidates.
After the departure of previous skipper George Thomason to Wrexham, George Johnston and Eoin Toal have both worn the armband.
Schumacher has confirmed that the players will also have a say in establishing a 'leadership group' and that the captaincy could change depending on selection.
'We're close to making the decision but I think I've got a few good leaders in that dressing room,' said the Bolton boss. 'Obviously we lost George Thomason, who had the armband when I got here last year.
'He will obviously need a natural successor, but I have got a few players who could do that job in there.
'I think it's important that the leaders that we pick, the leadership group that the lads will pick between themselves, everybody should be ready to be a captain and lead this team into battle whenever we choose.'
Wanderers went through the whole of pre-season without defeat, playing a new 4-2-3-1 system which has been the focal point of the club's recruitment.
Schumacher still expects his team to be attack-minded but has worked for several weeks to establish a better shape out of possession in order to address the problems they experienced last season, conceding 70 goals in the league.
Reflecting on the changes that fans can expect this time around, he said: 'I don't know how much we have changed the way we play but the system is different.
'We are going to try and go with a back four. We think having wide players in this league, that can take people on, gives you a chance.
'Having four defenders to defend with throughout the game, rather than a back three, gives you the benefit as well.
'So we will see how it goes. We have recruited to do that and it is the way I want to go about things.
'I still don't want to change too much about how this club should be. We want to play attacking football, we want to be on the front foot and be exciting, but I want to concede fewer goals.'