Conor Bradley - 1 year loan to Bolton
- Thread starter The Nomad
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He'll be on the lash at the weekend with Peter Kay, Paddy McGuiness and Vernon Kay.
I think it should be a good move for Bradley. I came across this article last month and Ian Evatt seems to be doing a good job while getting Bolton play good football.
League One side seeks Jurgen Klopp Liverpool trait with Manchester City Pep Guardiola hallmark
[article]Speaking to The Athletic, Evatt said: “Pep, for me, is the best. I love watching his teams play. I love what they do. My philosophy will always stay the same. But I’m learning, too, and when I watched Liverpool in their Champions League semi-final against Villarreal I was amazed by their work out of possession.
“That’s the next stage of my development, and ours as a club. We want that in-possession style, but how do we implement that Klopp counter-press? If we can get the two together, that’s the holy grail.
“I still hear the occasional shout of ‘Get it forward’. I heard it at one game recently and I had a bit of a bite at one supporter. He was shouting at me because our goalkeeper had played it short to the centre-back instead of playing it long. I can’t please everyone but I think, overall, our supporters are enjoying it.
“I wouldn’t turn up my nose at managers who don’t play possession-based football but my enjoyment, as a player for 20-odd years, was being in a team that dominated the ball. People pay a lot of money to watch football and they should be entertained. For me, that means possession-based, open, expansive, attacking football and, if we can provide that, we are entertaining our fanbase.
“When I took the Barrow job, I was telling people about my vision and philosophy and everyone said, ‘You can’t get out of the National League playing that way’'. Once we broke that mould, people started being brave enough to say, ‘Hang on a minute, if they can do it, why can’t we?’
"There seems to be a changing of the guard now. A lot of managers, the older generation, are transitioning out of the game and there are young, up-and-coming coaches with bright ideas coming through.”
Evatt is under no illusions that the way he likes to see the game played is not an easy thing to achieve. It takes courage to implement and requires all connected at a football club to buy into it.
The Bolton boss admits it was a 'bugbear' of his watching teams at international level dominating with the ball, but not seeing it with England, despite the top flight being up there with the best in the world. But he feels that philosophy is creeping in more up and down the football pyramid.
Evatt said: “It’s tough (to play this way), it’s challenging and it takes real bravery. I always say: unless you really believe in it yourself, how are you going to get everyone else to believe in it? The fans, board, players. You have to educate people. You have to stick with it and, if you start to get results, you get a huge buy-in from everybody.
“Growing up, it was always a frustration of mine when I watched the Champions League, or international fixtures in particular, that we had some of the best players in the world and always sacrificed the ball.
“Everyone talked about Spain, Portugal, Brazil and all these possession-based, dominant footballers. But we supposedly had the best league in the world, so why couldn’t we play that way? Why were we not bringing up academy players that way? Why couldn’t we dominate the ball?
“That was always a bugbear of mine. But what I’m seeing now is definitely a transition to that style. As a country, all the way through our football pyramid, that’s becoming more prevalent now.”[/article]
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At least Bolton’s getting some decent pizzas.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/spo...ton-wanderers-new-loan-signing-conor-bradley/
[article]Q - What kind of player are Bolton Wanderers getting?
Firstly, Bolton are getting a proper attacking right-back. Bradley loves to get forward, take on a man and put crosses into the box. He got eight assists in Premier League Two last season, and also set up his first goal at senior level for Kaide Gordon in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury. Most of his experience has come in a back four at Liverpool, but such attacking traits could make him perfect as a wing-back too. Liverpool's full-backs obviously have to get up and down the line so he's got some lungs on him and isn't afraid of getting stuck into a challenge either.
Q - CB doesn't have that much first team experience - but he seems highly regarded at Liverpool. Do you expect him to do well?
I think so, yes. He was already a full Northern Ireland international before he even made the step up at Liverpool. Their faith in his talent was evidenced by the club being willing to sell Neco Williams to give Bradley opportunities. They came too despite Williams staying put, in the domestic cup games and got a brief cameo at the San Siro in the Champions League. However, as Jurgen Klopp's side hunted down an unprecedented quadruple, with so much at stake the minutes weren't on offer for the youngsters in the final months of the season. U23s football had become far too easy for him by the end of last season though and he was really ready for that next step up.
I guess we'll see if L1 is that right next level. Liverpool's academy has produced some great full-backs in recent years with Trent Alexander-Arnold the most famous example. With Liverpool wanting their full-backs to play a specific way, Bolton fans should soon notice some similarities to how the England international plays if Bradley gets a run in the team. It is a step up but one he's ready for.
Q - Has the recent signing of Calvin Ramsay pushed him down the pecking order slightly?
Probably, a little, yes. As I said, the club were willing to let Williams leave last summer and put their faith in Bradley as back-up. The reality was Joe Gomez and James Milner were turned to ahead of him in that position though. Williams looks set to move on this summer with Ramsay poised to be the understudy to Alexander-Arnold. But as Williams found out, it is very hard to get game-time with the best right-back in the world ahead of you in the pecking order.
Liverpool will want Bradley to go out and play and that wasn't going to happen this season at Anfield. He's shone in PL2 and is ready for that next step. Having had a year on the fringes of the first team, it's right for him to go out on loan and progress as much as possible with the club then reassess his situation along with Ramsay's next summer. The offer from Bolton was a tempting one, especially with them being so close geographically, with Harvey Elliott's temporary switch to Blackburn two seasons ago an ideal template.
Liverpool will stay in communication with Bradley and keep a close eye on him. It'll take a very special player to take Alexander-Arnold's place in the Liverpool starting XI anytime soon so it's no slant on Bradley that he is being sent out on loan.
Q - It seemed to be a real breakthrough season for Bradley but at 18 do you expect him to handle the added physicality of League One?
Time will tell on that front but he's had as good a grounding as you can get in training under Jurgen Klopp, learning from the likes of Alexander-Arnold while testing himself against Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz etc. He wasn't afraid of getting stuck in and has experience against Premier League and Football League opposition as well as on the international stage.
League One will be an eye-opening experience for him but Bolton have a player in fellow Northern Ireland international Dion Charles who can take him under his wing and make sure he knows what to expect. Bradley will rise to the challenge and can hopefully make his loan to Bolton a successful one.
[/article]
[article]Q - What kind of player are Bolton Wanderers getting?
Firstly, Bolton are getting a proper attacking right-back. Bradley loves to get forward, take on a man and put crosses into the box. He got eight assists in Premier League Two last season, and also set up his first goal at senior level for Kaide Gordon in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury. Most of his experience has come in a back four at Liverpool, but such attacking traits could make him perfect as a wing-back too. Liverpool's full-backs obviously have to get up and down the line so he's got some lungs on him and isn't afraid of getting stuck into a challenge either.
Q - CB doesn't have that much first team experience - but he seems highly regarded at Liverpool. Do you expect him to do well?
I think so, yes. He was already a full Northern Ireland international before he even made the step up at Liverpool. Their faith in his talent was evidenced by the club being willing to sell Neco Williams to give Bradley opportunities. They came too despite Williams staying put, in the domestic cup games and got a brief cameo at the San Siro in the Champions League. However, as Jurgen Klopp's side hunted down an unprecedented quadruple, with so much at stake the minutes weren't on offer for the youngsters in the final months of the season. U23s football had become far too easy for him by the end of last season though and he was really ready for that next step up.
I guess we'll see if L1 is that right next level. Liverpool's academy has produced some great full-backs in recent years with Trent Alexander-Arnold the most famous example. With Liverpool wanting their full-backs to play a specific way, Bolton fans should soon notice some similarities to how the England international plays if Bradley gets a run in the team. It is a step up but one he's ready for.
Q - Has the recent signing of Calvin Ramsay pushed him down the pecking order slightly?
Probably, a little, yes. As I said, the club were willing to let Williams leave last summer and put their faith in Bradley as back-up. The reality was Joe Gomez and James Milner were turned to ahead of him in that position though. Williams looks set to move on this summer with Ramsay poised to be the understudy to Alexander-Arnold. But as Williams found out, it is very hard to get game-time with the best right-back in the world ahead of you in the pecking order.
Liverpool will want Bradley to go out and play and that wasn't going to happen this season at Anfield. He's shone in PL2 and is ready for that next step. Having had a year on the fringes of the first team, it's right for him to go out on loan and progress as much as possible with the club then reassess his situation along with Ramsay's next summer. The offer from Bolton was a tempting one, especially with them being so close geographically, with Harvey Elliott's temporary switch to Blackburn two seasons ago an ideal template.
Liverpool will stay in communication with Bradley and keep a close eye on him. It'll take a very special player to take Alexander-Arnold's place in the Liverpool starting XI anytime soon so it's no slant on Bradley that he is being sent out on loan.
Q - It seemed to be a real breakthrough season for Bradley but at 18 do you expect him to handle the added physicality of League One?
Time will tell on that front but he's had as good a grounding as you can get in training under Jurgen Klopp, learning from the likes of Alexander-Arnold while testing himself against Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz etc. He wasn't afraid of getting stuck in and has experience against Premier League and Football League opposition as well as on the international stage.
League One will be an eye-opening experience for him but Bolton have a player in fellow Northern Ireland international Dion Charles who can take him under his wing and make sure he knows what to expect. Bradley will rise to the challenge and can hopefully make his loan to Bolton a successful one.
[/article]
[article]Conor Bradley says he “couldn’t have thought of a better place to come” than Wanderers ahead of the new season.
The Northern Ireland international is preparing for his first taste of League One after leaving Liverpool in search of regular playing time.
Bradley admits it was “a big decision” to head out on loan but believes Bolton is the perfect place to continue his development.
“It probably was a big decision but it was one I felt I needed,” he said. “I wanted to get out and play first team football. I couldn’t have thought of a better place to come to be honest.
“The way Ian (Evatt) is, the way he wants to play football and just all the lads have been great as well, so it’s been perfect so far and hopefully it keeps going that way.”
“The way Ian is trying to do it, the way he wants to press, the way he wants to keep the ball – there are definitely similarities (to Liverpool) there and it’s really good.”
Bradley linked up with the squad following their return from Portugal and played at the UniBol for the first time against Huddersfield at the weekend.
The 19-year-old is eager to get started and is optimistic that the Whites can have a successful season in League One.
He added: “I’ve really enjoyed pre-season. It’s been a good start and we’ve had some good tests in pre-season.
“I’ve been training with the lads and getting to know them and getting to know what Ian wants and how he wants to play. It’s been really good.
“Everyone is pushing for promotion and we’re all eager to get it, and we’re all going to give everything we can to try and get that. We know there’s a bit of expectation but we’re all ready for it.”
Despite his youth, Bradley has already made several appearances for the Liverpool first team and even featured in a Champions League match against AC Milan back in December.
The youngster has also earned eight caps for Northern Ireland, having made his international debut in a friendly against Malta last summer.
Bradley knows the coming season will be very different to what he is used to but isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“I just want to play as many games as I can, just enjoy my football and gain that experience of playing in League One and playing for a massive club like Bolton,” he explained.
“That will help me a bit having a bit of experience of playing with the Liverpool first team, but obviously this is a different league and different things are expected of you.
“It will take me time to learn that as well, but I just can’t wait to get started and see what it’s like.”
It has been a whirlwind year for Bradley, who was thrown in at the deep end both for Liverpool and on the international stage.
The wing-back has ambitions of rivalling Trent Alexander-Arnold for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s side in the long term.
But Bolton is Bradley’s sole focus right now and he says everyone at Liverpool felt a loan move would be good for his career.
“The past 12 months has been unbelievable to be fair. I would never have expected it, but I’m just looking to kick on this next 12 months and hopefully do loads of big things,” he added.
“Everyone at the club had the same sort of feeling, ‘Just go and enjoy your football. Get as many games under your belt as you can and try to do as best as you can’.
“Obviously, I still want to try to rival Trent. I know it is going to be difficult because he is unbelievable.
“But I just want to keep working hard, keep doing what I am doing and hopefully good things will come.”
Bradley was initially a top target for Wanderers in January but the club was unable to get the deal done at the time.
“He gave me loads of confidence when I first spoke to the manager - how much he wanted me to play for Bolton and the stuff he said that I can do well, and the way I can fit into his system,” said the wing-back.
“I know I am not the complete package yet, but I am willing to learn and improve. I know it is going to be difficult but I feel like I am ready.”[/article]
The Northern Ireland international is preparing for his first taste of League One after leaving Liverpool in search of regular playing time.
Bradley admits it was “a big decision” to head out on loan but believes Bolton is the perfect place to continue his development.
“It probably was a big decision but it was one I felt I needed,” he said. “I wanted to get out and play first team football. I couldn’t have thought of a better place to come to be honest.
“The way Ian (Evatt) is, the way he wants to play football and just all the lads have been great as well, so it’s been perfect so far and hopefully it keeps going that way.”
“The way Ian is trying to do it, the way he wants to press, the way he wants to keep the ball – there are definitely similarities (to Liverpool) there and it’s really good.”
Bradley linked up with the squad following their return from Portugal and played at the UniBol for the first time against Huddersfield at the weekend.
The 19-year-old is eager to get started and is optimistic that the Whites can have a successful season in League One.
He added: “I’ve really enjoyed pre-season. It’s been a good start and we’ve had some good tests in pre-season.
“I’ve been training with the lads and getting to know them and getting to know what Ian wants and how he wants to play. It’s been really good.
“Everyone is pushing for promotion and we’re all eager to get it, and we’re all going to give everything we can to try and get that. We know there’s a bit of expectation but we’re all ready for it.”
Despite his youth, Bradley has already made several appearances for the Liverpool first team and even featured in a Champions League match against AC Milan back in December.
The youngster has also earned eight caps for Northern Ireland, having made his international debut in a friendly against Malta last summer.
Bradley knows the coming season will be very different to what he is used to but isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“I just want to play as many games as I can, just enjoy my football and gain that experience of playing in League One and playing for a massive club like Bolton,” he explained.
“That will help me a bit having a bit of experience of playing with the Liverpool first team, but obviously this is a different league and different things are expected of you.
“It will take me time to learn that as well, but I just can’t wait to get started and see what it’s like.”
It has been a whirlwind year for Bradley, who was thrown in at the deep end both for Liverpool and on the international stage.
The wing-back has ambitions of rivalling Trent Alexander-Arnold for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s side in the long term.
But Bolton is Bradley’s sole focus right now and he says everyone at Liverpool felt a loan move would be good for his career.
“The past 12 months has been unbelievable to be fair. I would never have expected it, but I’m just looking to kick on this next 12 months and hopefully do loads of big things,” he added.
“Everyone at the club had the same sort of feeling, ‘Just go and enjoy your football. Get as many games under your belt as you can and try to do as best as you can’.
“Obviously, I still want to try to rival Trent. I know it is going to be difficult because he is unbelievable.
“But I just want to keep working hard, keep doing what I am doing and hopefully good things will come.”
Bradley was initially a top target for Wanderers in January but the club was unable to get the deal done at the time.
“He gave me loads of confidence when I first spoke to the manager - how much he wanted me to play for Bolton and the stuff he said that I can do well, and the way I can fit into his system,” said the wing-back.
“I know I am not the complete package yet, but I am willing to learn and improve. I know it is going to be difficult but I feel like I am ready.”[/article]
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