The mood around Bolton Wanderers’ pre-season was meant to be one of cautious optimism—new signings, a new manager, and a clean slate.
But just days into the summer schedule, injuries and concerns are already clouding the picture.
Fresh Faces, Familiar Frustrations
A 1–1 draw against Tranmere Rovers was nothing out of the ordinary for an opening friendly. Two different elevens were used across each half, and Josh McAtee got on the scoresheet. But the line-ups prompted as many questions as they answered. Several new additions were nowhere to be seen, including Sam Dalby and Will Forrester, alongside returners like Josh Sheehan and Joel Coleman.
The big issue? Injuries. Within just a few days of pre-season training, both Dalby and Forrester have reportedly suffered hamstring problems—Forrester’s understood to be a recurrence, Dalby’s a first in his career. Given the timing and volume, concern is spreading fast among fans about what’s going on behind the scenes at Lostock.
The training methods have quickly come under scrutiny. Is the intensity too high, too soon? Should players be eased back rather than thrown straight into sharp physical drills?
Should Schumacher Shoulder the Blame?
New head coach Steven Schumacher is just a few months into the job, and it’s unlikely he’s solely responsible for the early setbacks. He’ll be working with a fitness department, sports scientists, and physios—many of whom may be holdovers from the previous regime.
That said, it’s clear that something hasn’t quite clicked. Bolton have developed a reputation for signing players who end up on the treatment table almost immediately. Even if the staff are new, the pattern is not. It’s become somewhat of a running joke that they’ll sign someone and they’ll be out injured straight away.
The hope is that these knocks are minor and that Schumacher’s staff are simply feeling out the balance between fitness work and injury prevention. But the early signs suggest Bolton still haven’t shaken the ghosts of previous pre-seasons. The “new broom” might be in charge, but the cracks look familiar.
Writer’s View
Two hamstring injuries in the opening days of pre-season wouldn’t usually be a red flag, but context matters. At Bolton Wanderers, it’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day. New signings going down injured has become a worrying trend, and whether it’s poor luck or poor planning, the outcome is the same: players unavailable, fans frustrated, and preparations disrupted.
Steven Schumacher deserves time and space to implement his methods, and this could prove to be nothing more than unfortunate coincidence. But if Bolton want to challenge at the top end of League One, they can’t afford to lose key men before a ball has even been kicked. The club must learn from past failings, because the margins in this division are tight, and a misfiring pre-season can set the tone for an entire campaign.
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