Wanderers have completed the signing of Joel Randall from Peterborough, but how will the new addition fit into the team?

Randall has put pen to paper over a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Toughsheet Community Stadium and arrives for a “substantial” fee which is likely to exceed £1million.

He was one of Ian Evatt’s top targets in the summer but the clubs failed to reach an agreement, leading the 25-year-old to sign a new deal at London Road.

However, Randall struggled to find his best form in what has turned out to be a rocky season for Posh, who sit five points above the relegation zone.

We have taken a look at how the new signing compares to Wanderers’ current options and what impact he might have.

Driving force

Looking at the data, one of Randall’s most obvious qualities is his dribbling and ability to drive past defenders.

He has attempted 0.6 dribbles per game this season in a struggling Posh side and, more impressively, achieved a success rate of 76.9 per cent.

In comparison, Klaidi Lolos’ figure is 55.6 per cent, John McAtee’s is 61.5 per cent and Aaron Collins’ is 38.5 per cent, all from a similar number of attempts per game.

Randall shields the ball from Santos (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker)

Moreover, nine of Randall’s dribbles this season have resulted in shots – a total only Collins and Dion Charles can better in the Bolton squad.

On paper, Randall seems a natural fit to slot into Wanderers’ midfield and help the Whites advance up the pitch – whether that’s as an eight or 10.

Bolton have arguably been missing that driving force since Paris Maghoma returned to Brentford at the end of last season.

The attackers have become isolated at times this season, particularly against opponents who sit back and look to frustrate, and Evatt will hope that Randall can help bridge the gap.

Creativity

The new signing’s passing statistics have also made for interesting reading since the start of the campaign.

Randall has completed 83.2 per cent of his passes from open play and 74.7 per cent in the final third, which only Jay Matete and Jordi Osei-Tutu can match at Wanderers.

He is also in the top 30 players in League One for through balls, with only George Thomason and Collins surpassing his total at Bolton.

An interesting observation is that Randall has given away possession 9.2 times per game this term – compared to 5.9 for Lolos and 8.2 for McAtee.

On the face of it, this statistic might seem like a negative but when digging a bit deeper, it could suggest he is taking more risks in the final third.

Randall has created 22 chances for his team-mates this season - the joint-most in the Peterborough squad despite sitting eighth for minutes played.

Szabi Schon leads the way for Wanderers on 32, with John McAtee also on 22. Meanwhile, Aaron Morley created 25 chances at Wycombe during the first half of the season.

Randall’s knack for creating chances – and the fact he attempts slightly more direct passes than his Bolton counterparts, on average - might imply he is just what the Whites need to find a way through those stubborn low blocks.

But, again, it remains to be seen whether those numbers and trends will translate to his new system and environment.

Slotting in

Last season, the 25-year-old managed 10 goals and seven assists in the league as Posh reached the play-off semi-final. He has already managed five league goals this term plus a couple in the FA Cup.

The data backs up Randall’s ability to make an impact in the final third. But Wanderers already have plenty of quality at the top end of the pitch, how will he fit in?

As touched on earlier, the new recruit seems an obvious fit to slot into a midfield role in Bolton’s system, with the freedom to get forward and make his mark on games.

He has tended to take up a central role at Peterborough this season but a lot of his contributions higher up the pitch have come when drifting into the channel.

That trait is pretty similar to the likes of McAtee, Lolos and even Carlos Mendes Gomes - who is building up his fitness after a lengthy injury lay-off – although those players tend to take up a position on the right whereas Randall generally drifts to the left.

That could well be a specific instruction from Evatt and company, but the prospect of Randall linking up with Schon in attack is still an exciting one for supporters.

However, he has attempted fewer crosses than the likes of McAtee and Collins from wider areas and only seven per cent of those have come off.

Another question raised by fans is what sort of impact Randall will have out of possession – whether that’s away from home or in the big games.

When looking at defensive actions such as interceptions, tackles and clearances, his numbers have been fairly consistent with those already at the club although McAtee has tended to be slightly busier on that front.

*Data courtesy of Opta and SofaScore