Bolton Wanderers are in desperate need of reinforcements as they look to get their promotion campaign back on track.
Steven Schumacher’s team are fallen off the ball at just the wrong moment, becoming a team that looks more likely to slip down the table than rise up it.
After sanctioning several outgoings, Bolton Wanderers need to bring some top players in if they plan on being in the top six come May.
With that in mind, here’s three players BWFC need to sign in order to keep their season going in the right direction.
Goals. Goals have the be the priority for Bolton Wanderers. In their last five games, the Trotters have scored just three goals, with only one coming from the sides strikers.
Wrexham’s Ryan Hardie offers an option that comes with Championship quality and strong record in League One.
Having been a huge part of Schumacher’s Plymouth Argyle side that won the league with a then record points total, the 28-year-old could easily slot into another team led by his former boss.
Ryan Hardie’s 2022/23 Plymouth Argyle Stats
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| League One | 44 | 13 | 4 |
| EFL Trophy | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Most likely on a-loan basis, the short-term transfer could work for both parties.
Not only would it aid Bolton’s goal woes, but it would help Hardie get his confidence back and reinvigorate his CV when it comes to getting a starting role in the Championship next season.
Hardie can score goals in League One and BWFC needs it to get out of the division. A win-win situation.
BWFC may have numbers at the back but they lack true leadership.
Derby County’s Curtis Nelson provides an available option that could give Bolton Wanderers some stability in front of their own goal.
The 32-year-old was a huge part of the Rams side that pipped Wanderers to automatic promotion a few years ago and could be key in helping BWFC go one better.
The central defender featured 51 times for DCFC that year, so there’s no doubting he knows League One, in and out.
Whilst Bolton do already have Chris Forino, Eoin Toal and George Johnston to fill the two central defensive roles, adding Nelson would bring in not only serious experience, but promotion pedigree, something the team massively lacks.
Derby boss John Eustace would like to keep hold of Nelson but with his chances limited at the club, it could be perfect for Schumacher and BWFC to pounce and bring in a key cog to their plans.
Since his outstanding six-month spell with Stockport County, things haven’t been great for Louie Barry.
The Aston Villa winger has been loaned out to two different Championship side’s and for whatever reason, the 22-year-old hasn’t managed to find any rhythm.
Louie Barry’s 2024/25 Stockport County Stats
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| League One | 23 | 15 | 2 |
| EFL Trophy | 1 | 1 | 0 |
This is exactly why Bolton Wanderers should make their move for the player.
Barry is in need of some confidence and returning the League One could give him just that. BWFC need a player to compliment Amario Cozier-Duberry on the other flank and a player of Barry’s quality offers just that.
The winger netted 16 goals in just a six-month spell with County, if he can reclaim that form it will not only do the player a world of good, but could be the X-factor that truly puts Bolton Wanderers back in the promotion conversation.
