We briefly mentioned in our last posting that we’d have to get used to a new generation of football very quickly if we failed to secure promotion back to the top flight. Well, let’s take a look at that ‘what if’ factor – what if we do miss out on promotion, what plans are in place going forward? Fans don’t want it to ever get to this point – we refuse to even think about it but if our performances are anything to go by – this may very well be the reality – our future for the next season or so.

Of course footballers want to play at the highest level. If they’re not already playing in the top flight, then as a player you’re always looking at carving a road to get there. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing your football in England, spain, Italy, Germany or anywhere in the world – talent is talent and someone somewhere will spot you and lure you away.

From a Bolton Wanderers point of view, let’s say we fail to secure promotion (touch wood it doesn’t come to this), we’ll lose a few players at the most. Mark Davies, Chung Yong Lee, possibly Chris Eagles, possibly Stuart Holden, maybe a couple more not mentioned here. Key players will move on due to the aspiration of playing a better level of football. So, what has been done to prepare for such an event?

Well, we can’t complain on this part. Our academy has started to finally push out some good talent. This is something we haven’t seen in quite some time since the days of Big Sam – correct us if we’re wrong, but weren’t the last players to grace the Bolton shirt through the academy ranks Nicky Hunt & Ricardo Vaz Te?

We now have the likes of Joe Riley, Josh Vela, Tom Eaves, Rob Lainton, Sanmi Odelusi whom have signed professional contracts over the last season or so, with many more youngsters preparing to become professional through our academy ranks. We’ve seen Riley and Vela in action and our first impressions on both were positive. We can see them commanding permanent positions if they continue to impress, and if that’s the kind of talent we’re cooking up in our academy then we’re going to have some great players donning the Bolton shirt over the next few seasons.

It seems that a plan may well be in place for players we may lose in case we don’t make it up at our first attempt. Whether you agree with us or not is a different matter.

What are your thoughts on the above? Leave your comments below.