Ian Evatt should look to re-sign these former Bolton Wanderers players to move the UniBol natives closer to the race for promotion out of League One during the upcoming campaign.
The Lancashire outfit were one of the surprise packages upon their return to the third-tier last season after winning promotion from League Two. Evatt led Bolton to ninth-place, and finished 10 points shy of the play-off spot held by would-be finalists Wycombe Wanderers.
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Bolton additionally boasted the seventh-best offensive record with 74 goals across their 46 fixtures. But the UniBol natives ranked just 11th for goals conceded with 57 strikes shipped – more than each team above them in the table bar Oxford United (59 conceded) in eighth.
Evatt has so far seldom strengthened his side this summer with Bolton sealing three deals to date. Jack Iredale has joined Wanderers in a free transfer from Cambridge United, while Conor Bradley will also spend the 2022/23 campaign at the UniBol on loan from Liverpool.
James Trafford has also returned on loan from Manchester City after spending the second half of last term in Lancashire. Eoin Toal could be the next through the doors, too, with the Manchester Evening News reporting Derry City have accepted an offer for the 23-year-old.
Evatt has been interested in Toal’s transfer as he strives to strengthen his defensive line in the off-season sales. A clutch of former Bolton players can also improve Wanderers’ ranks at the back and in attack if the UniBol head coach were to now attempt to re-sign them…
Bolton should look to re-sign former player Marlon Fossey of Fulham
One former Bolton player Evatt should look to re-sign to strengthen his defence is Marlon Fossey of Fulham. The 23-year-old spent the latter half of last season on loan at the UniBol and held an important presence at right-wing-back before a torn meniscus ended his term.
Fossey made 15 appearances from a potential 15 League One games before sustaining the blow in March. He also laid on five assists and scored one goal, having provided a vital role in a 3-2 win at Oxford United (one goal, one assist) and 3-0 win at Gillingham (two assists).
As Fulham are now preparing for the Premier League after winning the Championship title last term, Fossey may struggle to secure minutes at Craven Cottage. The Los Angeles-born dynamo is still to debut for the Cottagers, so may consider another loan move with Bolton.
Bolton should try to re-sign former player James Henry of Oxford United
Evatt would be wise to see Bolton try to re-sign James Henry as their former player thrived with Oxford United last season. The 33-year-old offered seven goals and three assists from 25 League One appearances, yet he was never a mainstay in a position with only 17 starts.
His appearances also came in central midfield, on the wing and in behind the striker at the Kassam Stadium. Henry similarly showed his versatility while at Bolton during the 2016/17 season, with his 35 games in all competitions spread over the right-flank and in the centre.
Oxford United signed Henry from Wolves on the back of his loan spell at Bolton five years ago. Now, Evatt should explore a return to the UniBol for the former Wanderers player to move the Lancashire natives closer to the top positions and weaken a rival for promotion.
Evatt should re-sign former Bolton player Arthur Gnahoua of Morecambe
Evatt can also look to re-sign another former Bolton player in Arthur Gnahoua to improve Wanderers’ frontline options. The Morecambe winger offered five goals and four assists in 34 League One appearances last season, despite the Shrimps only finishing in 19th-place.
His ability to create and convert chances for a team fighting the threat of relegation should stick out for Evatt. The 29-year-old also caused problems from both sides of the field, as he did with Bolton during the 2020/21 League Two season to help Wanderers seal promotion.
Gnahoua laid on five assists and scored twice over 28 fourth-tier appearances, despite only starting six games. He would open 31 third-tier games with Morecambe last term, though, to show Evatt that he is able to make a telling impact at a higher level after being released.
Bolton should take Conor Wilkinson back to League One after 10 goal term
Bolton should strive to take their former player, Conor Wilkinson, back to League One this summer after he produced a 10 goal campaign in League Two with Walsall last season over 33 appearances. The striker also provided a versatile threat with matches from both wings.
Wilkinson has not featured in the third-tier since 2018 and rarely showed his skill at Bolton between 2013 and 2017. Wanderers regularly sent the former Republic of Ireland U21 ace out on loan through his time in Lancashire, holding the forward to making just 17 outings.
The Croydon-born attacker can prove to be a worthwhile addition to Evatt’s dressing room next term, though. Only Oladapo Afolayan (12) and Amadou Bakayoko (10) offered Bolton double digits for 2021/22 League One goals, with the later also playing just 1,467 minutes.
Bolton can re-sign Remi Matthews of Crystal Palace to keep James Trafford honest
Bolton should try to re-sign Remi Matthews of Crystal Palace to keep Trafford honest next season. The Eagles outcast offered 10 clean sheets across 58 appearances with Wanderers between 2018 and 2020 after turning his loan from Norwich City into a permanent switch.
Sunderland would swoop for Matthews in 2020, given his performances in Lancashire, and Crystal Palace sealed his arrival in 2021. But the 28-year-old is still to debut for the Selhurst Park outfit, and his chances of minutes have worsened with the capture of Sam Johnstone.
So, Evatt should look to see Bolton re-sign their former player, Matthews, to push Trafford and have an experienced goalkeeper on hand. Trafford impressed during the 19-year-old’s loan from Manchester City last term with seven clean sheets from 22 League One outings.
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