4 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:

Barrow retained list

https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2025/may/07/retained-and-released-list/

Good to see Wozza potentially on the coaching staff if they can agree terms 

2 minutes ago, leedsvaliant said:

14 minutes ago, Portvale4 said:

Wouldn’t be surprised if we went for Ricardo Santos. A towering centre-back would be ideal in the middle of a back three, and he fits that perfectly. At his best, he was arguably one of the top centre-backs in League One. His form seemed to dip as Bolton’s performances declined. 

The Bolton fans always raved about him but he has the turning circle of a tanker. Thought he was dreadful when he played us.

Absolute cart horse v ourselves. 

Think played in the 6-3 and got sent off here a couple of years ago.

However he's been in team of the season, maybe just doesn't like Vale. 

Edited May 7, 20251 yr by darren1810

4 minutes ago, leedsvaliant said:

16 minutes ago, Portvale4 said:

Wouldn’t be surprised if we went for Ricardo Santos. A towering centre-back would be ideal in the middle of a back three, and he fits that perfectly. At his best, he was arguably one of the top centre-backs in League One. His form seemed to dip as Bolton’s performances declined. 

The Bolton fans always raved about him but he has the turning circle of a tanker. Thought he was dreadful when he played us.

Apart from this season, he’s been a regular in a Bolton team that’s been pushing for promotion. He’s at a good age, brings some experience to the back line, and just seems like the kind of player Moore would go for.

Reading this article, Santos has been out for months this season with an injury. I'd be a bit concerned if we added another player with a potential poor injury record to the squad

Quote from the article - "Santos played on with a recurring pelvic issue and as both his and the club’s form stuttered, the post play-off frustration started to centre of him, above all others... When the terrace toxicity hit its peak, Santos had finally succumbed to the injury, watching from the sidelines in Evatt’s last game in charge against Charlton. He was unable to return to full training for months, which scuppered his chances under Schumacher and meant his contract ticked down with a gloomy sense of inevitability."

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25141648.bolton-wanderers-ricardo-santos-gethin-jones-leave-club/

There's a lot of focus on out of contract players here - probably due to the number of retained lists being published.

However, don't forget Vale paid fees for under contract players last season - Tolaj, Paton, Stockley, Diamond Edwards, Hall and Headley all cost fees.

Are there any under contract players from last season that would be worth paying for? For instance, I thought Emile Acquah at Barrow bossed us last season and could be a good squad addition. 

12 minutes ago, robf said:

There's a lot of focus on out of contract players here - probably due to the number of retained lists being published.

However, don't forget Vale paid fees for under contract players last season - Tolaj, Paton, Stockley, Diamond Edwards, Hall and Headley all cost fees.

Are there any under contract players from last season that would be worth paying for? For instance, I thought Emile Acquah at Barrow bossed us last season and could be a good squad addition. 

Terrible in the reverse fixture though and generally not very good.

It will be interesting to see how we approach this summer though and imagine we will pay a fee or two.

1 hour ago, markh said:

Yeah. As a Norfolk valiant it’s not great for me. Probably Peterborough nearest. Good for vale tho as you say. Super Vale Away will be loving it. 

Not great for me as a Kent Valliant

2 hours ago, darren1810 said:

One of the biggest donkeys I've witnessed in recent seasons. 

However other than having shockers against us he has done well for Bolton. 

They were rating him at a few million a few years ago but i agree v us he has been poor but he has been in a team thats been high up for a few seasons now so must have something about him

1 hour ago, robf said:

There's a lot of focus on out of contract players here - probably due to the number of retained lists being published.

However, don't forget Vale paid fees for under contract players last season - Tolaj, Paton, Stockley, Diamond Edwards, Hall and Headley all cost fees.

Are there any under contract players from last season that would be worth paying for? For instance, I thought Emile Acquah at Barrow bossed us last season and could be a good squad addition. 

Acquah sounds good, but we’re trying to keep our heads above water next season.

1 hour ago, robf said:

There's a lot of focus on out of contract players here - probably due to the number of retained lists being published.

However, don't forget Vale paid fees for under contract players last season - Tolaj, Paton, Stockley, Diamond Edwards, Hall and Headley all cost fees.

Are there any under contract players from last season that would be worth paying for? For instance, I thought Emile Acquah at Barrow bossed us last season and could be a good squad addition. 

A total weapon with his antics but i would happily take Tovide from Colchester

I am eagerly awaiting the Sheff Wed retained list,now that could be an interesting one

2 hours ago, robf said:

Reading this article, Santos has been out for months this season with an injury. I'd be a bit concerned if we added another player with a potential poor injury record to the squad

Quote from the article - "Santos played on with a recurring pelvic issue and as both his and the club’s form stuttered, the post play-off frustration started to centre of him, above all others... When the terrace toxicity hit its peak, Santos had finally succumbed to the injury, watching from the sidelines in Evatt’s last game in charge against Charlton. He was unable to return to full training for months, which scuppered his chances under Schumacher and meant his contract ticked down with a gloomy sense of inevitability."

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25141648.bolton-wanderers-ricardo-santos-gethin-jones-leave-club/

Maybe not then... 

Having had a bit of time to think things through, I’m leaning towards bringing in at least seven new signings.

I’d look to keep Debrah, Smith, Clark and John, and move on Heneghan, Hart, Ojo and Paton permanently. I’d also look to make Shorrock and Plant available for loan to get them more regular football. The rest of the out-of-contract players, I’d look to release.

In terms of where we need to strengthen, I’d be targeting a first-choice goalkeeper, two centre-backs, a left wing-back, a central midfielder (ideally left-footed), a striker to compete with Stockley, and a quicker striker to give us a different option up front.

7 minutes ago, Portvale4 said:

Having had a bit of time to think things through, I’m leaning towards bringing in at least seven new signings.

I’d look to keep Debrah, Smith, Clark and John, and move on Heneghan, Hart, Ojo and Paton permanently. I’d also look to make Shorrock and Plant available for loan to get them more regular football. The rest of the out-of-contract players, I’d look to release.

In terms of where we need to strengthen, I’d be targeting a first-choice goalkeeper, two centre-backs, a left wing-back, a central midfielder (ideally left-footed), a striker to compete with Stockley, and a quicker striker to give us a different option up front.

I'd love Michael Smith from Wednesday, 33 now so possibly one they'd look to move on as a second tier club but would still be an asset in L1, Moore worked with him and scored a lot of goals for DM and would be perfect to compete with Stockley.

8 minutes ago, valefan16 said:

I'd love Michael Smith from Wednesday, 33 now so possibly one they'd look to move on as a second tier club but would still be an asset in L1, Moore worked with him and scored a lot of goals for DM and would be perfect to compete with Stockley.

Good shout, if we could get him.

He's averaged about 45 games a season over the last 7 seasons, so a real playing asset.