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Wanderers attempted to strike a different balance between defensive structure and attacking intent this season – and the gameplan nearly paid off.
Only Ipswich Town had bettered Bolton’s 22 clean sheets in 2022/23 but a relative lack of goals and chances created led Ian Evatt to make a few tactical and personnel adjustments in the summer.
Though it may be argued that some of their predecessors did not have the luxury of meeting Manchester United’s Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, this season’s team goes down in the history books as the club’s most free scoring, with 121 goals netted in all competitions. That also followed the most prolific calendar year, with 113 goals scored in 2023.
But what of the defensive concessions? Bolton ended this season with 17 clean sheets in League One, their 57 goals conceded putting them ninth among their peers. There were challenges; James Trafford and Conor Bradley had to be replaced, George Johnston was cruelly ruled out by a knee injury an hour into pre-season, and defensive lynchpin Ricardo Santos struggled to overcome a calf issue that may have compromised his form in the last few weeks.
Continuing our man-by-man breakdown of the Bolton squad, we move to the goalkeepers and defenders to examine how successful they have been this season.
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NATHAN BAXTER
Wanderers’ biggest transfer call of last summer, and arguably their best one too.
In a season where consistency has been questioned in most areas, Baxter’s top-flight pedigree has remained unchallenged. Mistakes from the 25-year-old have been few and far between but he has regularly come up with big saves, the best of which was reserved for the play-off semi-final first leg win at Barnsley.
A wrist injury sustained at Oakwell in February ended up being a real turning point for Wanderers’ promotion run. After five wins and three clean sheets in 13 games, the advantage had been surrendered to Derby County.
Verdict: As free agents go, one of the best Bolton have done for some time. 8/10.
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JOEL COLEMAN
For two-thirds of the season Coleman did not know if he would be named on the bench, let alone the starting line-up. But Baxter’s injury at Barnsley thrust him into the spotlight during a particularly awkward run of away fixtures.
But for half a dozen cup games, the Boltonian really hadn’t played regular football for a couple of years. Promotion form was wobbling and Coleman came in for some frightening stick after a few poor choices on the pitch.
He recovered to make a better case for himself in the second half of March.
Verdict: Unfairly became the scapegoat of a poor run. 5/10.
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JOSH DACRES-COGLEY
For a player picked up on a free transfer from League Two Tranmere Rovers to have rattled through nearly three solid days of work on the pitch and been picked in the division’s Team of the Year isn’t a bad return at all.
Dacres-Cogley’s pace and work-rate helped him return a very reasonable three goals and six assists. And he will be the first to admit that those numbers could be higher with some better decision-making around the penalty box.
Verdict: One of the surprise packages for Bolton this season, and scope for improvement too. 6.5/10.
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GETHIN JONES
In four years with Wanderers there has rarely been an occasion where Jones’s place in the team was not questioned in some quarter, and so it goes again.
The versatile defender – capped by Australia for the first time this season – has thrived on proving his doubters wrong and is genuinely one of the toughest characters in Ian Evatt’s camp.
Sent off against Peterborough, he returned with a strong burst of form. Now, with recent performances also coming in for criticism, can he find the answers again?
Verdict: Big summer for the vice-captain, who can’t afford another patchy year. 5/10.
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RICARDO SANTOS
Trusted so implicitly by his manager as a tactical cornerstone, he inevitably comes under heavy fire when that gameplan goes wrong, as it did in the play-off final. Like Jones, Santos goes into the summer with a point to prove.
Two stints out of the team with injury left the big centre-half playing catch-up for a good chunk of the season. There have been some imperious performances – Portsmouth at home stands out – but there have also been times where he looked vulnerable.
Verdict: One of the best around on his day, but Bolton need more of those days next season. 6/10.
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EOIN TOAL
Toal’s progression has continued this season, both on the club and international front, and the Northern Irishman is becoming one of the more vocal leaders in the group.
There are doubts on whether he is being stymied by playing on the left side of the back three, an issue which will come to a head soon with George Johnston on the comeback trail.
But Toal has developed into a genuine playing asset, commanding a start, his willingness to attack set pieces also proving a useful weapon in the arsenal.
Verdict: Now a nailed-on starter, Wanderers will have to work hard to keep him. 7/10.
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RANDELL WILLIAMS
Enjoyed a decent first half of the season, making the left wing-back position his own, but a hamstring tear in January meant just seven starts from the turn of the year.
Looked to be coming back into form in April, scoring direct from a corner in the play-off semi-final at Barnsley, only for another knock to rule him out of the final.
Verdict: Came up with some important goals and needs to stay fit next season. 6.5/10.
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JACK IREDALE
Continuity has been tough for the Australian, who flitted in and out of the team covering for injuries and suspensions, primarily on the left side of the back three.
With Johnston returning to fitness it will be interesting to see where Iredale is pitched. Technically, one of the better footballing defenders that Bolton have in the squad, but it has been difficult for him to find consistency when regular football has been rare.
Verdict: Rarely lets anyone down but will he get the chances next season? 6/10.
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WILL FORRESTER
Played 22 times this season but will feel somewhat under-used, particularly as he finished up on the losing side just three times in his 19 starts in all competitions. Showed himself to be a good penalty box defender against some of the more direct sides in League One. Will now be hoping for more opportunities to show he can fit into Bolton’s attacking plan too.
Verdict: Lots to like about the 22-year-old defender when we got a chance to see him. 6/10.
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LUKE MATHESON
Established a decent base with a handful of appearances in the cup competitions and has now gone out on loan to Bohemians in Ireland for regular games. It needed to be a slow and steady return for the former Rochdale wing-back, and with the security of a new contract it would be great to see him push on next season.
Verdict: If he can use his loan in Ireland to his advantage, Bolton have a player on their hands.
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Wanderers attempted to strike a different balance between defensive structure and attacking intent this season – and the gameplan nearly paid off.
Only Ipswich Town had bettered Bolton’s 22 clean sheets in 2022/23 but a relative lack of goals and chances created led Ian Evatt to make a few tactical and personnel adjustments in the summer.
Though it may be argued that some of their predecessors did not have the luxury of meeting Manchester United’s Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, this season’s team goes down in the history books as the club’s most free scoring, with 121 goals netted in all competitions. That also followed the most prolific calendar year, with 113 goals scored in 2023.
But what of the defensive concessions? Bolton ended this season with 17 clean sheets in League One, their 57 goals conceded putting them ninth among their peers. There were challenges; James Trafford and Conor Bradley had to be replaced, George Johnston was cruelly ruled out by a knee injury an hour into pre-season, and defensive lynchpin Ricardo Santos struggled to overcome a calf issue that may have compromised his form in the last few weeks.
Continuing our man-by-man breakdown of the Bolton squad, we move to the goalkeepers and defenders to examine how successful they have been this season.
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NATHAN BAXTER
Wanderers’ biggest transfer call of last summer, and arguably their best one too.
In a season where consistency has been questioned in most areas, Baxter’s top-flight pedigree has remained unchallenged. Mistakes from the 25-year-old have been few and far between but he has regularly come up with big saves, the best of which was reserved for the play-off semi-final first leg win at Barnsley.
A wrist injury sustained at Oakwell in February ended up being a real turning point for Wanderers’ promotion run. After five wins and three clean sheets in 13 games, the advantage had been surrendered to Derby County.
Verdict: As free agents go, one of the best Bolton have done for some time. 8/10.
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JOEL COLEMAN
For two-thirds of the season Coleman did not know if he would be named on the bench, let alone the starting line-up. But Baxter’s injury at Barnsley thrust him into the spotlight during a particularly awkward run of away fixtures.
But for half a dozen cup games, the Boltonian really hadn’t played regular football for a couple of years. Promotion form was wobbling and Coleman came in for some frightening stick after a few poor choices on the pitch.
He recovered to make a better case for himself in the second half of March.
Verdict: Unfairly became the scapegoat of a poor run. 5/10.
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JOSH DACRES-COGLEY
For a player picked up on a free transfer from League Two Tranmere Rovers to have rattled through nearly three solid days of work on the pitch and been picked in the division’s Team of the Year isn’t a bad return at all.
Dacres-Cogley’s pace and work-rate helped him return a very reasonable three goals and six assists. And he will be the first to admit that those numbers could be higher with some better decision-making around the penalty box.
Verdict: One of the surprise packages for Bolton this season, and scope for improvement too. 6.5/10.
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GETHIN JONES
In four years with Wanderers there has rarely been an occasion where Jones’s place in the team was not questioned in some quarter, and so it goes again.
The versatile defender – capped by Australia for the first time this season – has thrived on proving his doubters wrong and is genuinely one of the toughest characters in Ian Evatt’s camp.
Sent off against Peterborough, he returned with a strong burst of form. Now, with recent performances also coming in for criticism, can he find the answers again?
Verdict: Big summer for the vice-captain, who can’t afford another patchy year. 5/10.
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RICARDO SANTOS
Trusted so implicitly by his manager as a tactical cornerstone, he inevitably comes under heavy fire when that gameplan goes wrong, as it did in the play-off final. Like Jones, Santos goes into the summer with a point to prove.
Two stints out of the team with injury left the big centre-half playing catch-up for a good chunk of the season. There have been some imperious performances – Portsmouth at home stands out – but there have also been times where he looked vulnerable.
Verdict: One of the best around on his day, but Bolton need more of those days next season. 6/10.
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EOIN TOAL
Toal’s progression has continued this season, both on the club and international front, and the Northern Irishman is becoming one of the more vocal leaders in the group.
There are doubts on whether he is being stymied by playing on the left side of the back three, an issue which will come to a head soon with George Johnston on the comeback trail.
But Toal has developed into a genuine playing asset, commanding a start, his willingness to attack set pieces also proving a useful weapon in the arsenal.
Verdict: Now a nailed-on starter, Wanderers will have to work hard to keep him. 7/10.
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RANDELL WILLIAMS
Enjoyed a decent first half of the season, making the left wing-back position his own, but a hamstring tear in January meant just seven starts from the turn of the year.
Looked to be coming back into form in April, scoring direct from a corner in the play-off semi-final at Barnsley, only for another knock to rule him out of the final.
Verdict: Came up with some important goals and needs to stay fit next season. 6.5/10.
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JACK IREDALE
Continuity has been tough for the Australian, who flitted in and out of the team covering for injuries and suspensions, primarily on the left side of the back three.
With Johnston returning to fitness it will be interesting to see where Iredale is pitched. Technically, one of the better footballing defenders that Bolton have in the squad, but it has been difficult for him to find consistency when regular football has been rare.
Verdict: Rarely lets anyone down but will he get the chances next season? 6/10.
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WILL FORRESTER
Played 22 times this season but will feel somewhat under-used, particularly as he finished up on the losing side just three times in his 19 starts in all competitions. Showed himself to be a good penalty box defender against some of the more direct sides in League One. Will now be hoping for more opportunities to show he can fit into Bolton’s attacking plan too.
Verdict: Lots to like about the 22-year-old defender when we got a chance to see him. 6/10.
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LUKE MATHESON
Established a decent base with a handful of appearances in the cup competitions and has now gone out on loan to Bohemians in Ireland for regular games. It needed to be a slow and steady return for the former Rochdale wing-back, and with the security of a new contract it would be great to see him push on next season.
Verdict: If he can use his loan in Ireland to his advantage, Bolton have a player on their hands.
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