Latest news with #MarcIles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Straight From the Stands: Why Wanderers must repeat Thomason business
Wanderers must repeat Thomason business By Liam Hatton It would be remiss of me not to start this week's article by talking about George Thomason following his departure to Wrexham, which marked Bolton's biggest sale since Gary Madine in 2018 for £6m. First of all, I still wonder to this day how we got that much money for Madine. That will go down in history alongside UFO's and the Egyptian pyramids in terms of unexplained phenomena. Secondly, there is a lot to unpack in terms of Thomason's Bolton career and what it means moving forward for the club. Marc Iles wrote a comprehensive piece about the midfielder's time at the club this week so I don't wish to retread old ground, but I will say that he was a reliable servant alongside being a standup guy. There are flaws to his game - he is not the most technically gifted footballer you will ever see, a walking yellow (and red) card and overwhelmingly one footed, but boy did that left foot more than make up for some of those shortcomings. Thomason was a grafter above all else and you knew what you were getting from him. There is a lot to be said about footballers in today's game who care more about their appearance as opposed to just rolling their sleeves up and getting stuck in, but you could never question Thomason's effort. With that being said, the move just makes sense for all. For Thomason because he gets to test himself at a higher level in a team that should suit him to a tee and for Bolton because it represents a very good piece of business. It's an indictment on Wanderers in a way that this is their most luxurious sale in seven years, but part of that can be explained by the state the club was left in before Sharon Brittan took charge. Now and moving forward, this has to be how Bolton operate as the conveyer belt of talent stepping up from the academy needs to keep producing. Conway has impressed in pre-season (Image: Ian Allington | MI News & Sport) Which seamlessly leads me on to my next point about that talent, case in point Max Conway. The message over the summer has been about creating a squad in which the younger players will get a chance to break into the team, so now with the injury to Richard Taylor and Conway knocking on the door regardless, there's a chance he will feature early in the upcoming season. There has been a lot to like about this pre-season preparation outside of Conway - whether that is the electric duo of Thierry Gale and Amario Cozier-Duberry scoring bangers for fun, or just the team dynamic in general. That being said, it is just pre-season and the real test starts next Sunday away at Stockport. There are still questions in the meantime with two strikers ideally needed as soon as possible, a central midfielder to replace Thomason and now seemingly a left back too. What I do know is that we are almost back and there is cautious optimism about the season ahead. Big spenders like Huddersfield we are not, but this team will look a lot different than last year's iteration, and that can only be a good thing. Bold Predictions for 2025/26 By Lee Sidebotham Every year in this column I make some bold predictions about the upcoming campaign that prove exactly why I'm not a betting man, and this season I'm sure will be no different. The only prediction I made last year that ended up becoming true were multiple members of the B Team making the jump to the first team squad. Albeit I was wrong about Conor Carty being the standout. This year I believe will be the same and we'll see more youngsters given the opportunity to play in the first team squad and or be moved up permanently. The likes of Sam Inwood and David Amimbola are certainly ones to look out for. But I believe the standout will be Sonny Sharples-Ahmed. He's impressed me so far this pre-season and I believe he has all the traits to potentially become a great technical midfielder. Whoever the standout ends up being, I believe this season will be the year our youngsters prove that the B Team plan is finally working. Speaking of youngsters, Teddy Sharman-Lowe has also impressed me during pre-season. For a goalkeeper of his age, he's very commanding and isn't afraid to control his area. He kept 15 clean sheets last season with Doncaster and I believe he will be as successful with us this year. I'm willing to say he will claim the Golden Glove this season, or whatever the equivalent in this division is. Toal could be a key figure this season (Image: Ian Allington | MI News & Sport) To do that, he will need a strong defence in front of him. I'm looking forward to the prospect of Chris Forino and Eoin Toal in the middle of a back four this campaign. If both can stay fit, that will be some partnership. I believe they could be the next David Wheater and Mark Beavers, and at least one of them will be in the running for the League One Team of the Year. Xavier Simons is another signing I'm looking forward to seeing more of. He's made some beautiful passes so far and he seems like the change up in midfield we've been desperately crying out for. I'm going to say he will become our new regular starter and make the most appearances in midfield, partnering either Josh Sheehan or Aaron Morley each game. Then there's the big one. Where will we be by the time the final game against Luton comes around? There's no doubt that the three that came down last season will all be looking to go straight back into the Championship again this year. Huddersfield have spent a bomb, while Blackpool, Barnsley and Wycombe have all made progress with the signings they've made. It's an easier division than last year, don't get me wrong, but it's still a very tough league to get out of. Of course, I predict Bolton to go up this season. But I think for many supporters, it's more than just a prediction - it's an expectation.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Buff's ultra-scientific, uber analytical League One prediction podcast
It's that time of year again, Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt don the fortune teller hats and tell you how they think Bolton Wanderers will do this season in League One. The boys also feign a vague interest in how everyone else is doing - and though Henry still thinks Cardiff City play at Ninian Park and has a worrying devotion to all things Peterborough and Yorkshire, we haven't been too far away with our predictions in the last few years, Of course we tackle all the week's headlines from The Bolton News, including the official departure of George Thomason, the hunt for a new striker, Richard Taylor's injury and which puns are suitable to use now that Nathan Broome is not a trialist. And we bite into the biggest issue of the day... Barmcakes, breadcakes, cobs and muffins. What are they, and why should we care? Seriously, there is more football chat than we have summed up here but it's late, and I still have to edit the show... But DO join our brand new EFL Fantasy League - details below - and revel in how many points Aaron Collins is going to score for us at MK Dons. Press play on the graphic below to listen to the Buff Podcast on the Bolton News website. Alternatively, download this - and nearly 300 other episodes - via Spotify, Google, Apple, Omny and all other leading platforms for free. The Buff is also available on , or wherever you get your podcasts if you wish to have the episode download straight to your phone or tablet every single week. We have some NEW advertising opportunities on The Buff, The Last Word AND our Matchday Live coverage. If you are interested in getting your business associated with the highest-rated longest-running Bolton Wanderers podcast, which attracts thousands of listeners and streams every single week, then please contact our advertising department on Do you want to join our Buff Fantasy League this season? If so CLICK HERE Remember, it isn't just a podcast, it's The Buff Podcast. And we're here every Friday. If you want to get in contact with the show, please email thebuffmail@ or tweet Marc on @MarcIles and @Henry__Hewitt And please, please leave a review. We work hard to put these episodes out every single week, in-season and out, and the more feedback we get, the better the product. Having said all that, we are currently only accepting five-star ratings, as all the other ratings are broken.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Buff Presents: Board games and Josh Dacres-Cogley, the sequel
The Buff Podcast episode 289 (not including specials) - the week's transfer news and gossip along with headlines from The Bolton News (Image: Camerasport) The Buff Podcast is back, and packed with all the week's headlines from the Bolton News. Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt forensically scour the week's news, aimed with a pack of Dude Wipes. We have all the information it's legally possible to discuss on midfield target Jesper Ceesay, the latest on Luke Southwood, who appeared back in the Bolton camp this week, and the reason that Matty Jacob slipped through the net and ended up at Reading. Advertisement But we also put out a challenge to you, dear listeners, to ask us questions that you needed answers on... And ask them you did. We've saved for a few for next week. But Marc and Henry do pick their starting XI, imagining the start of the League One season was tomorrow. We have a special offer for Buff listeners - with up to 40 per cent off subscription to The Bolton News. Visit our special discount page to get three months of unlimited articles for £3 OR a whole year for just £31. For more details please CLICK HERE. Click BELOW to listen to the podcast direct on The Bolton News website. The Buff is also available on Apple Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts if you wish to have the episode download straight to your phone or tablet every single week. Advertisement If you are interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast, contact our advertising department on Do you want to join our Buff Fantasy League this season? If so CLICK HERE Remember, it isn't just a podcast, it's The Buff Podcast. And we're here every Friday. If you want to get in contact with the show, please email thebuffmail@ or tweet Marc on @MarcIles and @Henry__Hewitt And please, please leave a review. We work hard to put these episodes out every single week, in-season and out, and the more feedback we get, the better the product. Having said all that, we are currently only accepting five-star ratings, as all the other ratings are broken.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Buff's Multi-Coloured Bolton Wanderers Swap Shop
The Buff is back again with your regular dose of news, gossip and Bolton Wanderers chat. (Image: NQ) Welcome back to the main episode of this week's Buff Podcast. We recorded a quick reaction pod when the fixtures were released, which is available on The Bolton News website and wherever you normally download the show. Advertisement But this, heftier slice of Bolton Wanderers headlines and gossip concentrates on the meatier stuff - from transfer ins and outs, to the world of retro kit collecting. Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt review the week's news and events at the Toughsheet, and we weigh up some of the hottest transfer speculation in TRGS. We also answer your emailed questions, including our centre-half partnerships and whether Wanderers must step back up to a category two academy. We have a special offer for Buff listeners - with up to 40 per cent off subscription to The Bolton News. Visit our special discount page to get three months of unlimited articles for £3 OR a whole year for just £31. For more details please CLICK HERE. Click BELOW to listen to the podcast direct on The Bolton News website. Advertisement The Buff is also available on Apple Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts if you wish to have the episode download straight to your phone or tablet every single week. If you are interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast, contact our advertising department on Do you want to join our Buff Fantasy League this season? If so CLICK HERE Remember, it isn't just a podcast, it's The Buff Podcast. And we're here every Friday. If you want to get in contact with the show, please email thebuffmail@ or tweet Marc on @MarcIles and @Henry__Hewitt And please, please leave a review. We work hard to put these episodes out every single week, in-season and out, and the more feedback we get, the better the product. Having said all that, we are currently only accepting five-star ratings, as all the other ratings are broken.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Buff - An official Bolton Wanderers fixture list reaction podcast!
Listen to Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt discuss the newly released fixture list for Bolton Wanderers (Image: BN) The official fixture list is out - so join Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt to cast an eye over the 2025/26 season in League One. Stockport County are first up, and on a Sunday afternoon too, firing up for a tough-looking August. Advertisement The lads pick out their key games, and discuss an April and May schedule that is tricky to say the least. Does it matter? We have to play them all twice. Of course it does. The regular Buff Podcast will be out, as usual, on Friday morning with all the usual features. We have a special offer for Buff listeners - with up to 40 per cent off subscription to The Bolton News. Visit our special discount page to get three months of unlimited articles for £3 OR a whole year for just £31. For more details please CLICK HERE. Click BELOW to listen to the podcast direct on The Bolton News website. The Buff is also available on Apple Google, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts if you wish to have the episode download straight to your phone or tablet every single week. Advertisement If you are interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast, contact our advertising department on Do you want to join our Buff Fantasy League this season? If so CLICK HERE Remember, it isn't just a podcast, it's The Buff Podcast. And we're here every Friday. If you want to get in contact with the show, please email thebuffmail@ or tweet Marc on @MarcIles and @Henry__Hewitt And please, please leave a review. We work hard to put these episodes out every single week, in-season and out, and the more feedback we get, the better the product. Having said all that, we are currently only accepting five-star ratings, as all the other ratings are broken.
