Bolton Wanderers must consider a tactical tweak to get the best from midfielder Josh Sheehan, according to an analysis from The72. The report, published this week, suggests manager Steven Schumacher could alter his side's build-up structure to give the playmaker more touches after a quiet game against Queens Park Rangers.
Sheehan is widely regarded as a key creative force for Bolton. The outlet The72 stated, "In fact, it would not be outrageous to say he is the best player in the Bolton Wanderers team." His influence was clear in the season-opening 2-1 win over Preston North End, where he recorded 79 touches and played 10 passes into the final third. However, in the following 0-0 draw at Loftus Road, his involvement dropped to just 42 touches and eight final-third passes as Bolton managed only 45% possession.
How does Bolton's current system work?
Steven Schumacher's side typically builds play in a 3-2-5 shape. In this setup, the right-back inverts to form a back three alongside two centre-backs. The left-back pushes high into the frontline, while the right winger stays wide. The left winger moves into the left channel, and John McAtee operates as the starting number ten, often taking up a position on the right side of the front five. This system aims to create overloads and passing lanes but can sometimes isolate the central midfielders.
What specific change is proposed?
The analysis proposes dropping Josh Sheehan from his current midfield berth into the back three during build-up phases. This tweak would see Sheehan act as a quarterback between two split centre-backs, receiving the ball directly from the goalkeeper and dictating play from deep. The idea is to get the team's best passer on the ball more frequently, especially against organised opposition that presses high. It could help Bolton break lines more effectively and control games away from home, where they are expected to face tougher challenges.
Who else could benefit from this adjustment?
Shifting Sheehan deeper could create space for other players in the squad. The report mentions that George Brunt, Jack Stephenson, and Luke Conway are all potential options who could feature in the adjusted system. Stephenson brings lots of midfield experience, while some fans believe Conway could also impress if given a chance in a more advanced role. This season's squad, which includes summer signings David Watson and Samuel Iling-Junior, offers Schumacher several tactical possibilities. You can view the full roster on our squad page.
What is the broader context for Bolton?
This tactical discussion comes as Bolton prepare for a new campaign after a strong finish to the last one. The club ended the 2025 League One season in 3rd place with 74 points from 44 games, recording a recent form of DWLDW. They scored 67 goals and conceded 48, giving them a solid +19 goal difference. Maintaining that offensive output will be important, and getting Sheehan more involved is seen as a way to achieve that. The current standings reflect the competitive nature of the league Bolton are aiming to conquer.
Implementing such a change would require careful work on the training ground. Schumacher and his staff must weigh the benefits of increased possession for Sheehan against the potential defensive risks of moving a key creator deeper. The early evidence from the unbeaten start suggests the foundation is there, but fine-tuning could be the difference in tight matches. Fans can track how this potential evolution plays out by following the team's upcoming fixtures.
