Bolton Wanderers head coach Steven Schumacher believes defensive frailties and failure to score enough goals proved too costly in their bid to earn promotion from League One this season.
The Trotters were defeated in the play-off final by Oxford United last season and were hoping to take that extra step this time around. However, they struggled for consistency which led to long-standing manager Ian Evatt departing the club in January.
Steven Schumacher arrived at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, immediately sparking an upturn in results. By the beginning of March, they had crept into the top six.
It all went drastically wrong from there though. The Greater Manchester-based side won just two of their remaining 11 games to finish eighth.
Schumacher Looking To Correct Issues
It’s easy to see where Bolton’s problems laid this season. They were one of just two teams in the top half – alongside Barnsley – to finish the campaign with a negative goal difference, conceding 70 goals in the process. That, alongside an inability to finish off games, is an area that Schumacher will look to address this summer. Speaking to The Bolton News, he said:
“We conceded 69 (70) goals as well. We’ll sort that area out as well.
“And It’s not just the forward players, other players have missed chances. We’ve had opportunities for centre-backs and they have missed them right in front of goal as well.
“But everyone knows the areas where we’re struggling, and where we need to get better.”
Continuing, Schumacher revealed the work he is putting in on the training ground in front of goal:
“We do finishing sessions literally every day. Different types of finishes. Not just shooting for the sake of it. Different techniques, different little practices. But you can practice it as much as you like on the training ground. It’s when the pressure counts.
“You’ve just got to be able to take the opportunities. I know that nobody means to miss chances but they win games.”
Writer’s View
Bolton will feel as if this season is a real missed opportunity. There was a genuine belief that this would be the year they finally ended their six-year stay outside the Championship. It wasn’t to be though and they will now dust themselves down to have a real go next season. They have a head coach in place that is arguably one of the best outside the top two divisions and has already proven with Plymouth Argyle that he has what it takes to get out of the division. They will be one of the favourites next season.
