Opposition Lowdown: Steven Schumacher’s Bolton Wanderers

Reading return to Berkshire this weekend with a home game against playoff-chasing Bolton Wanderers. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.

Form

Bolton Wanderers finished last season in third place in League One, five points behind Derby County, who secured the second automatic promotion spot. They missed out on promotion via the playoffs, losing 0-2 to Oxford United in the final, having beaten Barnsley in the semi-finals, 5-4 over two legs.

This season marks their fourth straight campaign in the third tier, having won promotion from League Two in 2021, after finishing third. They are chasing down a playoff spot again this season, currently sitting seventh in the league, three places and three points ahead of Reading.

Their recent form has been mixed, having seen two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five games, but they’ve won two games on the bounce. The Trotters come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 3-1 home win against Northampton Town during the week.

The two sides faced each other back in September in a seven-goal thriller which Bolton won 5-2, with striker Dion Charles scoring a hat-trick.

The boss

Steven Schumacher: Schumacher was appointed Bolton manager on Thursday, taking over the reins following Ian Evatt’s departure last week. He had a 16-year career as a player, representing the likes of Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra and Bury, where he played as a midfielder.

After coaching spells at Everton and Bury, Schumacher became assistant manager at Plymouth Argyle as Ryan Lowe’s assistant. He became Plymouth manager in December 2021 following Lowe’s sacking and spent two years at the Pilgrims, guiding the club to the Championship in 2023, after finishing as League One champions.

The following season Schumacher was appointed Stoke City manager, but he only last nine months in charge of the Potters, as he was sacked last September.

This weekend will mark his first game in charge of Bolton, having signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club two days ago. The 40-year-old typically favours playing three at the back and likes his sides to play out from defence.

Squad

Bolton were dealt a blow when one of their leading goalscorers Dion Charles joined Huddersfield Town midway through the month, but they have completed the signings of three players during the January transfer window so far.

Midfielder Joel Randall signed a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, joining from Peterborough United, while defender Alex Murphy signed a loan deal until the end of the season from Newcastle United. They added additional firepower to the squad yesterday with the loan signing of Cardiff striker Kian Etete.

Midfielder Kyle Dempsey is out for the season with a knee injury while fellow midfielder Jay Matete is out through suspension. Striker Victor Adeboyejo is also a doubt for this weekend’s game as he battles a groin injury.

Predicted lineup

Southwood, Jones, Forrester, Johnston, Osei-Tutu, Schon, Thomason, Sheehan, Morley, Arfield, Collins

Key player

6. George Johnston: Defender Johnston signed for Bolton in June 2021, joining from Dutch side Feyenoord.

He started his career in the youth setup at Liverpool, but joined Feyenoord in 2019 where he signed his first pro deal. Johnston made four first-team appearances in Holland, and also spent time on loan at Wigan Athletic, where he had his first taste of League One football.

Since joining Bolton in 2021, he has made 126 appearances for the club and has three goals to his name. The 26-year-old has also represented his nation, Scotland, at under-20 and under-21 level.

Johnston is a ball-playing centre-back who is comfortable in possession.

One to watch

23. Szabolcs Schon: Midfielder Schon joined Bolton last summer from Hungarian side Fehervar for an undisclosed fee.

He started his career in the youth setup at Budapest Honved before joining Jong Ajax. He spent two years in the Netherlands before returning to his native Hungary, joining MTK Budapest. In 2021 Schon moved to the US, joining MLS side FC Dallas, where he spent just over a year, before returning to Hungary with Fehervar.

The 24-year-old joined Bolton in the summer and has made 32 appearances for the Trotters this season, scoring one goal. He has represented Hungary across numerous youth teams and made his debut for the men’s national side in 2021.

Schon can play as a left midfielder or wing-back and is a strong dribbler with a good passing and crossing skills.