Key Points
· Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher praises wingers Thierry Gale and Amario Cozier-Duberry for their performance in the 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.
· Schumacher urges his wingers to vary their play and not always cut inside to be more effective.
· New signing Ibrahim Cissoko made a significant impact after coming on in the second half.
· Schumacher acknowledges the physical challenge for winger Thierry Gale to adapt to English football.
· Mason Burstow's hamstring injury is under assessment.
· Schumacher feels the team could have scored more goals but is satisfied with the overall result.
· The manager highlights that despite the win, there is still room for improvement in the attacking third.
· Schumacher reflects on the end of a run of draws, praising squad additions including Cyrus Christie and Marcus Forss.
· Thierry Gale’s red card in the Vertu Trophy competition only affects that tournament, not league games.
What did Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher say about his wingers’ recent performance?
As reported by the Bolton News, Steven Schumacher expressed confidence in his wingers after their showing in the 3-0 victory against AFC Wimbledon. He specifically praised Thierry Gale and Amario Cozier-Duberry for being "outstanding" and noted the important contribution of Ibrahim Cissoko, who came on in the second half and benefited from increased space when the opposition was reduced to ten men.
Schumacher emphasised the need for his wingers to diversify their attacking play rather than always cutting inside. He said, "If they keep varying their play, they will both excel." He commended Amario Cozier-Duberry’s attacking down the right flank and highlighted the importance of using both feet to be unpredictable for defenders.
Regarding Gale, the manager acknowledged his one-on-one speed but stressed the challenge of adapting to the physical demands in English football, particularly the need for defensive tracking. "It's a tough environment, and he needs to get used to tracking back constantly. It’s not just about when he has the ball, but he appeared to be confident," Schumacher added.
How did the team and squad additions perform and what were Schumacher’s overall thoughts on the match?
According to the club's official site, Steven Schumacher welcomed the end to a frustrating sequence of draws with the recent convincing win. He reflected on the positive impact new signings such as Cyrus Christie and Marcus Forss have brought to the squad. Echoing his confidence, Schumacher described them as players of “Championship quality” who bring experience and attacking prowess.
He commented positively on Marcus Forss’s fitness and finishing skills and praised Cyrus Christie for his calmness and Premier League experience. The manager acknowledged the squad overhaul with 14 new players and remarked that it would take some time for the team to fully gel.
Despite the victory, Schumacher wanted the team to be more ruthless in front of goal, citing missed chances by Sam Dalby as examples. He expressed the wish to improve the final third's effectiveness but was content that the team created good chances and scored three quality goals against a stubborn opponent.
What was the context and impact of Thierry Gale’s red card?
In another briefing by the official club source, Schumacher addressed Gareth Gale’s red card which came in the first-half stoppage time during a Vertu Trophy group game against Rotherham United. Schumacher described it as a moment of madness and explained the challenge was a late reaction to losing possession. Fortunately for Bolton, the suspension only applies to the Vertu Trophy and not the League One matches.
How did the Bolton win affect the league standing and team morale?
The narrow 1-0 victory marked a positive change for Bolton Wanderers following a string of four consecutive 1-1 draws in League One. The win enabled them to climb back into the top 10 of the League One table and improved squad confidence and momentum.
What challenges and outlook did Schumacher set for his wingers and the team moving forward?
Steven Schumacher remains cautious but optimistic. He repeated that the wingers need to keep adapting and varying their play to be a real threat in League One. He remarked on the physicality of the league and the need for wide players to be defensively responsible while attacking confidently.
The manager is assessing injury concerns like Mason Burstow’s hamstring issue and looks forward to stronger performances as the squad settles. Schumacher concluded that while the team had taken a step forward, there remains room to improve consistency and sharpness in the attacking phase.