Schumacher's Bolton Preview
Steven Schumacher has not had an alcoholic drink so far in 2023. It might be a Dry January in the Schumacher household, but in his dressing room at Home Park, the signings are flowing.
Argyle have added Ben Waine, Saxon Earley and Callum Wright to the ranks, all within four days of the January transfer window’s opening, and the manager has found himself a busy man.
A content one, though. Although the recall of Morgan Whittaker by Swansea City was clearly an unwanted occurrence, three young, talented, permanent additions to the squad have buoyed the boss, at a time where matters on the pitch and busy and intense, too.
Argyle face a week on the road taking in games at Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town in Sky Bet League One, either side of a Papa Johns Trophy quarter-final away to Bristol Rovers.
To have three new recruits available and in the squad for the first of those games has made Schumacher very happy.
“It’s been a good few days,” he said. “First of all, thank you to Andrew and the board for moving so quickly and letting us bring in the players that the recruitment and data team have highlighted and have been working on for a few weeks and months.
“It’s really pleasing to get three through the door in the first few days and hopefully we’ll see a few more in the not too distant future.
“As soon as the window opens, we know we have to strengthen the squad for what is going to be a really hard second half of the season. We’ve identified the players we want and moved swiftly.
“This week, we have three really tough games, all away from home, so to have three new recruits to strengthen the squad gives us a chance.
“It’s a busy month. I’m on Dry January so it’s even more stressful! The difference with the January window is that you are playing, so you have to put that to bed, switch the phone off for an hour while I watch Bolton, because it’s important we get that right.
“It’s important to bring players in who are ready to play. In the summer, you’ve got six weeks to get everyone fit.
“Bringing in fresh new faces and having people coming back from injury is good news because it makes the squad stronger.”
Schumacher’s own squad – his team of coaches and analysts – have proved their worth during this spell. First-team coach Kevin Nancekivell, assistant manager Mark Hughes and goalkeeping coach Darren Behcet have stepped up duties on the training park, while analysts Sam Morcom and Harry Powell have also taken more responsibility.
“It’s where you need your staff around you,” said Schumacher. “I’ve got a brilliant coaching staff. Nance, Hughesy and Darren went down today before I did, to set the sessions up, because I was on the phone until 10am. My head’s everywhere at the moment. The analysts put my unit meeting together for me today, which I would normally do.”
The trip to Bolton sees Argyle facing the side fifth in the division and who are in good form. However, Argyle won both games against the Trotters last season, and won 2-0 against them at Home Park earlier in the season.
Schumacher is expecting a stern test, but says the team are primed, and are looking forward to playing in front a large, noisy Bolton crowd.
“We’re well prepared,” he said. “They are good games that you want to be involved in. It’s Bolton Wanderers, on their stadium. It will be a big crowd.
“It’s going to be a really hard game. I remember last year was really hard, and decided on a set play. The game here was open – too open for our liking. They had some big chances; I remember Michael making a big save at an important time, before we killed the game off.
“They are one of the better sides in the division. They are hard to figure out, they pass the ball really well. It’s going to be a tough afternoon. We are expecting to go there and be up against it. There will be spells in the game where we have to defend well. There will be times where we can impose what we want to do on them, also.”
