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Bolton Wanderers have carried the weight of expectation on them for several years.
It’s a big club – one that has averaged more than 21,000 crowds over three seasons now; Those who dream of an eventual return to the Premier League, where they have spent a total of 13 seasons.
But this is a club that has now been in Sky Bet League One for five seasons – the longest stay in the third tier in club history.
Two playoff campaigns ended in heartbreak. In 2022/23, they were beaten by Barnsley in the semi-finals, while in 2023/24 they reached the Wembley final, only to be beaten by Oxford.
Steven Schumacher was in charge of neither, but he was already reminded of recent history in his side’s crucial second leg against Bradford on Thursday night, which was live. Sky Sports Football.
Bolton took a 1-0 aggregate lead in the game thanks to a superb strike from Brighton loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final first leg match between Bolton and Bradford City.
Thursday 14 May 7:30pm
8:00pm kick off
“I knew the expectations before coming in because of the size of the club,” he says Sky Sports.
“This is a club that we believe is bigger than this division, but it is not easy to get out of this division.
“There are expectations and demands going into the Championship and when you’re in the building and you feel the mood when you win games, when you lose games, you realize this is a club desperate to get out and get to the next level.
“When you look at the size of both Bolton and Bradford and how well they’re supported, both clubs are probably too big to be in League One. But that’s where both clubs find themselves and one of us has to find a way out of it if we can.”
Incidentally, Schumacher left Everton’s youth setup to make his name at Bradford between 2004 and 2007.
“It’s a really good club and I enjoyed my time there. It was great and made me go to the Football League – but that goes to the back of my mind if I’m honest,” he said.
“They are a team that we know has come into the playoffs with good momentum and has been in the top six for most of the season.
“They deserve huge credit and we’ve had four good games against them this season and I’m sure there’s another good game to come. We know we’ll have to focus full time if we’re going to get the result we need.”
The tie has another personal link for the 42-year-old – Bradford boss Graham Alexander was his manager at Fleetwood between 2013 and 2015.
Graham Alexander and Steven Schumacher will go up against each other for the fifth time this season on Thursday night.
The pair, who have enjoyed a good relationship for 11 years, will no doubt share a drink after Thursday’s game, as they have already done this season.
“I try to take something from every manager I’ve worked under and my biggest takeaway from Graham is how well organized he was,” added Schumacher.
“I always remember, going into training sessions, everything was always set, everything was organized and planned. There was a reason that we were having certain sessions and there was a reason that we were playing in a certain way, depending on the opponent we were coming up against.
“The information he gave was really good, really detailed and I tried to take that into my management career.
“You try and take as much as you can from everybody, you have good and bad influences in your playing career and that’s what I took from Graham. His team looks the same.”
The pair went to Wembley in May 2014, when Fleetwood faced Burton in the League Two play-off final.
Schumacher was named among the substitutes that day and did not make the field.
But Alexander’s men prevailed to secure promotion to League One for the first time in their history.
“Promotion was the main thing. You have to put your personal pride aside. The manager has to make a tough call.
“When Graham left me out of the starting XI, I was obviously disappointed and had to sit on the bench, but you have to be as good a teammate as you can be, try to be a good influence in the group.
“You’re not going to be happy sitting there and I’ve tried to explain that to my players – it’s not an easy role. I probably didn’t realize it happened to me, but now I do.
“But when Cerce (Antoni Cercevic) scored the winner and we won that game, the feeling was incredible.”
Alexander led Fleetwood to League Two play-off glory in 2013/14
Only one will make it this time.
“Going to Wembley will mean everything,” he added.
“When I first had the job interview, that’s why I was so keen to come to this club because of the potential. The objective was clear, to try and get into the Championship and then when we get into the Championship, we have room to grow and compete in that division.
“It will mark the completion of the first phase of what is going to be an exciting journey for this club over the next few years.”
Bolton take a 1–0 lead into the League One play-off semi-finals
Is he looking beyond this?
“You have to visualize. That’s the only way these visions can come true. If you don’t believe you can do it, it can have a negative effect.
“But my focus can’t get too far from the next match, as always, which is a tough match. My mind will be there now.”
The current lead is a slim one, but in the race for the playoff final, Schumacher is currently in the driving seat.
Watch the Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final second leg live between Bradford and Bolton at Valley Parade Sky Sports Football Thursday evening from 7.30 pm; Kick-off is at 8pm.
