Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher has defended his decision to start academy graduates David Abimbola and Sonny Sharples-Ahmed in Monday’s 4-2 defeat at Lincoln City, insisting the youngsters will benefit from the experience despite the tough result.
The Whites’ loss at Sincil Bank dealt a likely fatal blow to their League One play-off aspirations, with just two matches remaining and a gap now opened up to the top six. The manager opted for a youthful lineup in light of a mounting injury list, handing Abimbola and Sharples-Ahmed their first league starts.
Early Withdrawals
Sharples-Ahmed lasted only until the break, while Abimbola was substituted on the hour mark as the game slipped away from the visitors. But Schumacher was quick to take the heat off the duo, highlighting the intensity of the opposition and their potential for growth.
“I thought David did well,” he said. “It was a bit quick for Sonny at times in the first half and he got caught in midfield a little bit. But that is because Lincoln are the most aggressive team out of possession in the league – passes per defensive action – so it was a bit quick for him. That’s understandable. He is going to get used to the speed of it, it’s different in the centre midfield to centre forward, so whatever, he’ll get better.
“David did well, competed well, used his body, got us up the pitch, allowed a little bit of relief every now and again. But he is 18 and only needed to play 60 minutes.”
Bolton’s defeat leaves them on the brink of mathematical elimination from the promotion race, barring an unlikely set of results. The decision to introduce academy players came amid several senior absentees, with Eoin Toal (hamstring), Josh Sheehan (thigh), and Szabi Schon (calf) all sidelined for the trip to Lincolnshire.
Schumacher now faces a balancing act heading into the penultimate fixture at Peterborough United this weekend. Toal had been targeting a return for that match, but it remains unclear whether medical staff will clear him in time.
Writer’s View
Schumacher’s decision to lean on youth is understandable given the injury list, but Monday’s result was a harsh lesson in the demands of League One. His support for the youngsters was commendable — the bigger challenge now lies in regaining momentum, blooding new talent responsibly, and managing the transition into next season with purpose.
