WE have reached the halfway stage of a volatile and unpredictable season at Wanderers and the club remain well behind their promotion target with 23 games to go.

It has been difficult to tell which Bolton side will turn up since August as the whole club battles to pack away the disappointment of last season’s play-off final defeat and concentrate solely on that is in front of them.

Big investment have been made in the transfer market to bring in the likes of John McAtee, Szabi Schon and Jordi Osei-Tutu with the board channelling all their available cash to give Ian Evatt the funds he required to mount a challenge for a top two spot.

And that backing looks set to continue with another seven-figure signing on the horizon in the form of Peterborough United’s Joel Randall.

There is no doubt that the plan has yet to pay off. A slow start, inconsistency in performance and another wave of injuries preventing Bolton from getting their best side out on a regular basis. And that has all led to serious pressure on the manager who – for now – retains the support he needs in the boardroom to try and put things right.

After every Wanderers game, The Bolton News brings you the Last Word podcast, containing the latest interviews and analysis after the final whistle. So, with that in mind, we have decided to offer a ‘last word’ on each of the Bolton players who have featured in the first half of the campaign.

Victor Adeboyejo - Starts (all comps): 12. Subs: 13. Goals: 4.

Had a strong pre-season and was legitimately unlucky not to have played more games early on. Hard to claim he has taken his chances since, however, and the other three senior strikers look to be ahead in the pack. Last Word verdict: Struggling.

Scott Arfield - St: 6. Sub: 9. Gls: 0.

The squad needed experience and like Cameron Jerome before him, his role behind the scenes may be overlooked. On the pitch it hasn’t really happened yet – although he played well against Barnsley on Boxing Day. LWV: Background.

Nathan Baxter - St: 19. Sub: 0. Gls: 0.

Not quite as imperious as he’d been last season and folk now asking if his distribution could be improved/accelerated. He remains a very good goalkeeper at this level, though, so the least of Bolton ‘s issues. LWV: Hurry.

Dion Charles - St: 18. Sub: 10. Gls: 8.

Twenty goals in his last two seasons, he has to step it up to make it three in a row. All of a sudden, the Northern Ireland striker finds himself no longer a certain starter. Big challenge for him to prove otherwise. LWV: Competition.

Aaron Collins - St: 20. Sub: 11. Gls: 12.

Bolton’s most consistent source of goals at the moment. His performances have been changeable but the partnership with McAtee looks a solid one. Always capable of something special. LWV: Olé.

Josh Dacres-Cogley - St: 25. Sub: 4. Gls: 0.

Always available, always willing, if others in the Bolton squad had his durability there wouldn’t be any issues. End product isn’t always there, or else he probably wouldn’t be playing in League One. LWV: Robust.

Kyle Dempsey - St: 10. Sub: 4. Gls: 4.

His horrendous luck with injuries has continued and a knee problem may well have curtailed his season completely. On his day the sort of warrior Wanderers have badly needed. LWV: Unfortunate.

Will Forrester - St: 7. Sub: 3. Gls: 0.

Against the more direct sides in this division, there are few better in Bolton’s defensive ranks. He still needs to show, however, that he can be part of a team who primarily play from the back. But will he get the opportunities? LWV: Brave.

Chris Forino - St: 5. Sub: 0. Gls: 0.

Signed to add some strength to the right side of the back three but hasn’t yet managed to dispel the concerns over his injury history. Just five starts since coming in from Wycombe, which isn’t enough. LWV: Waiting.

George Johnston - St: 25. Sub: 2. Gls: 0.

To come back from injury and play so much football says a lot about his commitment to the cause. Inevitably, he will have plateaus, just as we saw recently. Great to have him back. LWV: Lion.

Gethin Jones - St: 9. Sub: 1. Gls: 0.

An awkward summer spent nursing an injury has left him playing catch-up in a vital season for him at Bolton. Still has work to do if he is to be considered a regular starter again. LWV: Unsure.

Klaidi Lolos - St: 9. Sub: 6. Gls: 3.

After an unfortunate injury early on the former Crawley man has taken his chances in the team and come up with some important goals. Room for optimism in the future. LWV: Promising.

Jay Matete - St: 19. Sub: 11. Gls: 2.

Can be a joy to watch at times surging from deep midfield areas with the ball but can also take some risks that don’t pay off. Been a largely positive start to his time at Bolton for the Sunderland loanee. LWV: Watchable.

John McAtee - St: 18. Sub: 13. Gls: 5.

Came from Luton with a big price tag and bigger expectation but we have yet to see the best of him. Been moved around the team to cater for injuries and his partnership with Collins up front looks promising. Need more from him. LWV: Improve.

Jordi Osei-Tutu - St: 5. Sub: 12. Gls: 1.

The quality is there but is the durability? Has impressed so often with a 20-minute cameo but Bolton knew his injury history would have to be considered and hopefully conquered. Fingers crosses. LWV: Electric.

Ricardo Santos - St: 28. Sub: 0. Gls: 1.

The decision to move the captaincy on looks a good one and his form – one or two recent aberrations aside – has been strong. Wanderers lean on him more than anyone, and he’s still up there with the best in this division. LWV: Standard.

Szabi Schon - St: 24. Sub: 2. Gls: 1.

Been a learning curve for the Hungary international and though his temperament and defensive prowess still need to be worked on, there is also a lot to like, technically. One to watch in the future. LWV: Improving.

Josh Sheehan - St: 18. Sub: 2. Gls: 2.

At the peak of his career and has shown at international level that he can mix it with the best. Still a Rolls Royce bumping around the potholes of League One but has been a huge miss since picking up an injury. LWV: Class.

Luke Southwood - St: 10. Sub: 0. Gls: 0.

Been an extremely reliable option alongside Baxter and has even had some folk debate whether he can push on for the number one spot. LWV: Alternative.

George Thomason - St: 21. Sub: 2. Gls: 3.

Has handled the extra responsibility of captaincy and remains an important cog in the wheel for Ian Evatt. His recent form has wobbled, however, and that can’t be allowed to become an issue. LWV: Leader.

Eoin Toal - St: 12. Sub: 1. Gls: 1.

His absence through injury has been a real blow, particularly with a lack of like-for-like cover. His pace and aerial power are underestimated and Wanderers need him back up and running soon. LWV: Missed.

Randell Williams - St: 12. Sub: 9. Gls: 1.

Enjoying a little reinvention on the right side as Evatt dabbles with inverted wing-backs and his return to Exeter was his best football in a while. His versatility is an asset. LWV: Options.

Other appearance makers (fewer than five in all comps): Carlos Mendes Gomes St: 0 Sub:3 Gls: 0; Luke Hutchinson St: 1. Sub: 0. Gls: 0; Sam Inwood St: 0. Sub: 1. Gls: 0; Jack Iredale St: 1. Sub: 0. Gls: 0; Conor Lewis St: 0. Sub: 1. Gls: 0; Luke Matheson St: 1. Sub: 1. Gls: 0. Aaron Morley St: 1. Sub: 1. Gls: 1; Sonny Sharples-Ahmed St: 1. Sub: 2. Gls: 0.