Bolton Wanderers column: Harkin aim and Forino opportunity

We got the chance to listen to Fergal Harkin for the first time last week since being named as Bolton’s new Sporting Director.

Whilst a simple search will tell you about his history working for Nike, Manchester City and most recently Standard de Liège, this is information that we already knew. What this interview provides is more of an insight into part of Harkin’s philosophies and ideals in this role.

What stuck out straight away for me personally were his comments about the Academy and the need to sell homegrown players on for a profit. This is hugely important because the initial thought process in recent years has been to celebrate the B Team and Academy setups.

I am not for one second saying anything but that as there has been some success, especially with the Under-18 squad winning the treble this year. But if we are talking about benefiting financially from player sales, well that’s a different story.

People will label the B Team as a roaring success because we sell the likes of Nelson Khumbeni on for a nominal fee, but it needs to produce far more than that. We also need that clear pathway to the first team, which we did see to some extent towards the end of last season.

Harkin spoke about Bolton’s place in the food chain right now and he is bang on the money. But what really got me on board was him specifically naming the likes of Sonny Sharples-Ahmed, Max Conway and Sam Inwood and creating the opportunities for them to hopefully succeed as Bolton players.

Sam Inwood got a chance in the first team (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) This is a man who has obvious experience in the game. Listening to him describe his role and what it entails, he also spoke about the timing of approaching players, for example, especially with him being a former player himself and acknowledging how that has helped him in this role.

You get the feeling that he is a natural leader who can also be tough but fair. Harkin mentioned how some people will follow you on a journey whilst others won’t, but if we are being honest then there will always be turnover in any form of business.

That turnover is ever present in football, whether it is on the pitch or away from it. Players move on and others come in, managers are hired and fired across the country at record pace and the role of a Sporting Director has become even more so important in recent years.

Harkin said that when he was at Manchester City there was a mindset of ‘Typical City’, and you could say that applies to Bolton at this particular time. Changing the perception around the club obviously starts with promotion, but there is a mindset at the moment that this team struggles in the local derbies or the big games.

There is little faith based off this current squad, from the supporters' viewpoint at least, that they can get promotion. That obviously requires the need for further investment and incomings, which comes down to Harkin and the staff in place.

But changing that mindset from ‘typical Bolton’ won’t be a quick fix. The next few weeks will begin to show what the Fergal Harkin and Steven Schumacher team is really about, and I am excited for it.

Forino can fill Santos' shoes

by Lee Sidebotham

Over pre-season, I’ll be discussing the strengths and weaknesses within our team, how I believe we can improve with the squad and the players available in the transfer market. This week I’ll be giving my take on our centre backs.

I have to be honest; I’m on the fence about letting Ricardo Santos leave. Despite the disappointment of last season, I still believe he was one of our most valuable assets on the pitch. I think a lot of his poor form over the last season can be blamed on injury and some of the stick he got was way over the top at times. It’s not surprising seeing many Championship teams rumoured to be interested in him.

However, I think it now gives someone else the opportunity to step up. Chris Forino has had a breakthrough season despite initially struggling with injury. He was solid leading a weak defence during the second half of the last campaign and it’s clear he has a big influence out on the pitch. Remind you of anyone? He also speaks very well in his press conferences post-match. I can see a future captain in him.

A back three of Forino, Eoin Toal and George Johnston next year has me very intrigued. Let’s not forget Will Forester too, who I think did a great job stepping in for Santos and Toal this year.

Forino could have a big role next season (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd) Now we just need to get some backup in. All four of our current options have had injury setbacks this year so if we’re sticking with a back three, I think Fergal Harkin needs to look for at least another two centre back options.

We love falling in love with a loan player here at Bolton and I wouldn’t be against signing a young Premier League upstart to fill that role if its cost effective.

Someone like Manchester City’s Finlay Burns who seems to have lots of potential, but didn’t manage to find his way into a struggling Hull City side in the Championship last season. Some gametime at a strong League One club next year might be just what he needs. He also had a successful campaign in League One a few seasons ago at then newly promoted Stevenage. It’s an easy signing if you ask me.

We were once the strongest side defensively in this division but the last campaign saw us drop into the bottom half of the table for goals conceded.

I believe having a strong backline will prove to be the most crucial aspect of our promotion push this year. Get it right and I think we could be on for an exciting season ahead. There’s no doubt in my mind that Steven Schumacher will be making it one of his top priorities.