Bolton Wanderers fan column - Santos, Jones & Baxter exits

The departures of Ricardo Santos, Gethin Jones and Nathan Baxter were made official this week after their contracts had run out and were not to be renewed.

We already knew this, especially with the former two. Baxter leaving was made readily apparent very late into the ‘season that shall not be named’, and I am labelling it that moving forward because I just don’t want to talk about the calamitous campaign in general.

It’s a shame really, not because we should have kept all three as they all needed a fresh start for one reason or another. But some of the reactions from parts of the fanbase have focused purely on the bad and not the good.

Take Santos and Jones for example, both players who had been with Bolton ever since the Ian Evatt era began. Yet with Santos, the comments on social media would fixate on the play-off final at Wembley, poking fun at him with that visual of him with his foot on the ball waiting for a player to get open.

That can’t be his lasting legacy, and whilst legacy might be a bit of a strong word, he was so much more to Bolton Wanderers. Early in his Bolton career he was a top player, but for a player that size who relied on his speed as much as his strength, the numerous injuries caught up to him and that is a huge factor to take into account.

Santos' time at the club has come to an end (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) He wasn’t perfect, but for large parts of his spell here he had way more good games than bad. Even the most hardened Santos critics would have a hard time disputing that.

Jones was a player who did struggle with the step up to League One, but he was also someone who was asked to play in numerous positions. He understood the club and what it meant, with the memory of him pointing to the skies in honour of his mother after scoring at Wembley a lovely visual that he will never forget.

Baxter, whilst his spell wasn’t as long, was also a key player. The season before last had people labelling him as one of the best keepers in League One, but something happened last year which threw him off his game. He has had unfortunate luck with injuries, but the constant switching between him and Luke Southwood probably didn’t help matters either.

I’m not blindly defending all of the above because, as I said earlier, it was the right move to let them leave. It was needed in order to get this club moving forward with a reboot, but there are plenty of others who should move on and yet are fortunate enough to still be under contract.

This is hopefully just the start of what will be a difficult summer to navigate. It does sound like more funds will be promised judging by statements coming out of the club, and I have a hard time believing Steven Schumacher would have taken the job without such assurances.

But now this is the Schumacher and Fergal Harkin show, with the remnants of the Evatt era slowly being replaced.

Options for the armband

by Lee Sidebotham

Steven Schumacher now has a full summer at his disposal to implement his vision, and I think considering a new candidate for the captaincy should be near the top of his list.

Ever since it was taken off Ricardo Santos last autumn, the captaincy has been somewhat passed around and up for grabs. George Thomason has primarily taken over the role and I think has stepped up well, given his experience and the position we find ourselves in.

He’s matured greatly this season and kept his head in many situations he wouldn’t have in previous years. While not all performances are perfect, there’s no doubt he puts in one hundred percent effort every time he puts a white shirt on. I think most would agree that’s what we want in our captain more than anything.

However, with a new manager and new direction, I think it’s time for a change. My favourite to take over the captaincy at the moment is George Johnston. I think we’ve missed him greatly at times this year due to injuries and there’s no doubt his absence has hindered performances.

George Johnston in action (Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth) He has that edge many of our players seem to be missing and I think he could lead our team well, especially in those crucial ties we always seem to capitulate in. Like Thomason, he always gives one hundred percent every time he’s out on the field.

Aaron Morley won the Players' Player of the Year award this year, and I wouldn’t be against him getting the armband either. I said back in August last year that it was a mistake letting him go to Wycombe on loan and he proved everyone right. It’s clear he has the respect in the changing room and him leading the way out on the pitch could turn performances around.

Chris Forino speaks a lot of sense in his interviews, especially post-match. He’s been solid leading a weak defence towards the end of this season and it’s clear he has an influence on others out on the pitch. While I think it’s too early for him to make that step up, giving him the armband in cup games and looking to pass the role onto him full-time in the future is not unrealistic for me.

I would have also liked Eoin Toal to be considered, but his fitness and injury setbacks this year hinder him unfortunately. Nevertheless, he’s still a great leader to have out on the pitch even if he doesn’t have the armband. A back three of Johnston, Forino and Toal next year is a very promising concept.

But in my opinion, I think Johnston should take the captaincy next season with Thomason as vice-captain. Our biggest weaknesses last season came defensively and I think giving Johnston the freedom to lead the line might be just what we need to reorganise and reshape us there and across all four quarters of the pitch.