Steven Schumacher is taking his time with Thelonius Bair, despite the striker's match-winning contribution for Bolton Wanderers last weekend. The manager's patience with his deadline-day loan signing is a calculated move as his side, sitting 20th in the Championship with seven points from seven games, prepare for a key trip to Norwich City.
Bair arrived from French club Auxerre in a dramatic late deal and has made two substitute appearances. His most recent came in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Cardiff, where he linked up with Max Conway on the left flank before delivering the cross for Thierry Gale's 90th-minute header. That single touch inside the penalty area was enough to secure three vital points and end a run of four consecutive league defeats.
Schumacher's measured approach
Schumacher has been clear that there is no urgency to thrust Bair into the starting eleven. "It’s just about picking the right time and moment," the manager said. With Sam Dalby, last season's player of the year, currently leading the line and having scored twice in his first seven league games, competition is healthy. Bair himself welcomes the challenge, believing that increased competition for places ultimately strengthens the team.
The club hopes the 26-year-old can rediscover the scoring form that saw him net 15 goals for Motherwell in the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign. His physical profile suggests a particular skill set. "I think a lot of people misinterpret me because of my size," Bair said in a recent interview with club legend John McGinlay. He described himself as a player who can run the channels effectively and possesses surprising pace, attributes Bolton aim to use to test opposition defences.
Integrating new faces
Bair is not the only summer arrival still finding his feet. Forward Ryan Hardie has also yet to be given a sustained run in the side as Schumacher manages a squad in transition. The immediate focus is on building momentum after the Cardiff win, which moved the team off the bottom of the table.
The victory was a welcome relief after a difficult spell that included heavy losses to Millwall and West Ham. The full run of recent results, including the 2-3 defeat to West Ham where Ewan Erhahon and Ricardo Rodrigues scored, is available on our fixtures page. The squad will travel to Carrow Road this Sunday lunchtime looking to build on that positive result.
Bair, who shares a birthday with Bolton's greatest-ever striker Nat Lofthouse, will hope his moment for a first start comes soon as the Wanderers seek to climb the Championship table.
The original report is at The Bolton News
