Bolton were in quite the state when last in the Championship and it's taken them seven years to make it back, but Steven Schumacher's side showed enough on day one to suggest they may be back for good - Chris Flanagan from FourFourTwo takes us through it.

How was last season? You’d been knocking on the door for a while…

An up and down campaign that ended perfectly, with the promotion we'd been trying to get for five years. We won fewer games compared to any of the previous four seasons, and only got 75 points to finish fifth, but did what we couldn't in previous campaigns - navigated the play-offs brilliantly.

We had a manager who was more tactically adaptable in the play-offs. Ian Evatt played the same way in every game and that was great a lot of the time, but meant Oxford knew what to expect in the play-off final two years ago, and did a number on us. Steven Schumacher is more flexible, particularly with in-game changes - he made crucial subs in this year's play-off final against Stockport to win us promotion.

Bolton so far…
Sheff Wed 1-0 Bolton* Lowe 70
Bolton 2-1 Preston Dalby 14, Gale 25 – Erabi 86
* - League Cup

Thoughts on Steven Schumacher?

He improved us a lot against the teams at the top of League One, because of his tactical flexibility, which will hopefully stand us in good stead in the Championship - his main weakness was not winning enough games against teams lower down in League One.

How was the Preston game? What did we learn?

That we've got players who can make the step up. Preston weren't great, but we were brilliant - we bossed most of the game, which was very encouraging. It hopefully shows that we can get hold of possession against at least some teams in this division - it's key to how we play, whereas last time we were in the Championship under a different manager, our possession stats were terrible, we struggled to get hold of games and it was a pretty awful experience.

What have you done in the transfer window so far, ins and outs? What still needs to be done?

We've strengthened in defence, which needed to happen - a couple of decent right backs in Luca Stephenson and Gaizka Larrazabal, an experienced centre back in Ben Davies, plus left back Akin Famewo. Young midfielder David Watson and winger Kyliane Dong have come in too. We've still been after more strikers and two more wingers, though - we've been waiting to hopefully sign Johnny Kenny after a successful loan from Celtic, and we've needed to replace Amario Cozier-Duberry on the right, after his loan from Brighton. He was our best player.

Some of the signings have made bright starts - particularly right back Stephenson. Larrazabal, Famewo and Davies also look like good additions. Others like Ryan Hardie and Sam Iling-Junior have only just arrived so it's still early days for them but if we can keep Hardie fit his goalscoring record is good at this level. We almost signed him in January.

Ins >>> Luca Stephenson, 22, RB, Liverpool, £800k >>> Lewis Brunt, 25, CB, Wrexham, £500k >>> Gaizka Larrazabal, 28, RB, Casa Pia, Free >>> David Watson, 21, CM, Kilmarnock, Free >>> Ben Davies, 30, CB, Rangers, Free >>> Akin Famewo, 27, CB, Hull, Undisclosed >>> Kyliane Dong, 21, LW, Augsburg, Loan >>> Ryan Hardie, 29, CF, Wrexham, Loan >>> Samuel Iling-Junior, 22, LW, Villa, Loan

Outs >>> Szabolcs Schon, 25, LW, ETO (Hungary), £500k >>> George Johnston, 27, CB, Luton, Free >>> Kyle Dempsey, 30, CM, Port Vale, Free >>> Sonny Sharples-Ahmed, 21, CM, Hednesford, Undisclosed >>> Richard Taylor, 25, CB, Bromley, Loan >>> Lewis Temple, 21, CB, Oldham, Loan >>> Sam Inwood, 20, CB, Swindon, Loan >>>Jordi Osei-Tutu, 27, RB, Released >>> Carlos Mendes, 27, RW, Released

What still needs doing?

Right wing has been the main position that's needed strengthening - it's felt like we've been keeping the spot free in case Amario Cozier-Duberry became available to return for another loan from Brighton, but a lot of clubs have wanted him this summer. We've also wanted another striker - after his loan last season, Johnny Kenny was the number one target, but he's been trying to force his way back into contention at Celtic, and we've supposedly had bids turned down for former MK Dons striker Max Dean, who's been in Belgium with Gent. There's been talk that we've been looking to sign a goalkeeper to potentially improve upon Bonham, too.

Where is the team strong and weak?

When we're on form, our central midfield is very good - Josh Sheehan and Ethan Erhahon were brilliant on the opening day, and we've still got Ruben Rodrigues to come back from injury too. Not everyone is convinced that Jack Bonham can do a full season in the Championship as number one goalkeeper, and our left side sometimes has been vulnerable defensively over the last year or so.

How do you see this season going? We placed you quite low, was that fair?

Hard to say at this stage - we were very impressive against Preston on the opening day and looked like a real goal threat, but we were much less prolific away from home last season. I think we're realistic that first and foremost we're in a battle to stay up, but hopefully a successful one. Our manager's tactical nous could be crucial.

Links >>> Bolton Wanderers Official Website >>> Football Ground Guide – Bolton >>> Lion of Vienna – Podcast >>> Wanderers Way – Message Board >>> Bolton News – Local Press

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