Sport

January sales: What does Dougie Freedman have planned for Bolton Wanderers in the transfer window?

By Scott Hunt

Dougie Freedman says Bolton Wanderers will be active in the January transfer window with players coming in and going out at The Reebok.

The Bolton boss has made use of the loan market in recent months, bringing in the likes of Neil Danns and Joe Mason.

In January, Freedman says that players will be leaving the club in order to play more regularly.

“I’m forever encouraging players that you must play as much football as you can – your career is very short,” Freedman said on Thursday at his press conference.

“It’s a natural progression that players will leave and I’ve got to anticipate that when it does happen.

“It’s not a case of me desperately wanting to get rid of anybody.”

In terms of players arriving at Bolton, Freedman has a couple of positions in mind which he would like to strengthen to make the squad stronger.

Left-back Marc Tierney is sidelined with a long-term injury and that is a position the Bolton manager is prioritising, while also looking to add pace to the team. 

“We could do with a little bit of pace in the side in the width areas which always hurts teams,” Freedman said.

“We need the left back and probably we’re always going to say strikers. We know exactly what we like to try and achieve in January in terms of bringing people in.”

Money is something that Championship managers have to be very aware of when planning moves in the transfer market and Freedman is no exception.

The Trotters boss is keen to make sure any outlay on players is sensible and falls in line with the plans the club have put in place.

“You’ve got to be very realistic, you’ve got to balance the books and you’ve got to make sure the club’s healthy going forward,” Freedman explained.

“I’m not interested in signing a player that’s the big name and things like that. That’s not going to do us any good.

“I think we’re working towards a plan, I think I share that with the fans. The buys have been reasonable and sensible – it’s not been eye-watering.

“There’s a policy been put in place by the guys up top, I’m implementing that policy and that gives me great pleasure to say that’s why I love working for the football club.”

Image courtesy of BWFC Official via YouTube, with thanks.

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