After a summer full of changes, Eoin Toal believes the tide is about to turn for Bolton Wanderers in their promotion hunt. The Northern Ireland international joined BWFC in 2023 and was part of the team that failed to leave League One in their last three attempts.
Losing to Barnsley in the play-off semi-final before a heartbreaking loss in the finals to Oxford United, things couldn’t come together for the Trotters. Under new boss Steven Schumacher, Toal told the newspaper Bolton News believes that the changes made will allow this team to cross the finish line.
“The Oxford game is still sensitive. You miss those two, but I thought as the season went on we were in a better position to go up. The year before we had only just sneaked into the play-offs, it wasn’t that expected, but the pressure was on us all season.”
“This year it’s different. Obviously it’s a different manager, a different formation, but we are building something. We have wingers, so as a centre-back, when you have the ball you can hit both sides, and as you have seen we go to the end. We work very hard for each other, and that has been a big thing.”
Eoin Toal’s form is key to Bolton Wanderers’ promotion
The 24-year-old Toal has been one of Bolton Wanderers’ best defenders over the past three seasons. When he is in the team the Trotters are significantly better and it has shown this season.
Since the departure of Ricardo Santos in the summer Toal has been appointed captain and takes the role to heart.
Last season, the centre-back played just 22 games as BWFC struggled to overcome their play-off heartbreak. The Wanderers would finish outside the top six if Ian Evatt was replaced by Schumacher.
Eoin Toal’s Bolton Wanderers 2023/24 stats
| Competition | Performances | Goals | Assists |
| League One | 43 | 5 | 0 |
| EFL Trophy | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
In the run to the play-off final in 2023/24, Toal made 51 appearances and was key to the team’s success. This season the defender is back to his best, making 11 appearances and being key to Bolton’s impressive defensive form.
Big game mentality is key for Bolton Wanderers
The biggest stumbling block for Evatt’s Bolton Wanderers has been the big games.
During his tenure at the club they narrowly won a local derby and struggled in matches against the likes of Portsmouth and Derby County. Points in both games would have seen the Trotters promoted in 2023/24.
The tide has turned under Schumacher; they ended a ten-year wait for a win against rivals Wigan Athletic last season. This year they have beaten Wigan again and handed over promotion rivals Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town.
Schumacher’s Wanderers are more flexible and confident in difficult situations. This version of BWFC looks fit for the grind and that could be the difference in getting them out of League One.
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