Schumacher prepared to utilise Bolton squad
Steven Schumacher has won four of his seven games in charge of Bolton Wanderers
- Published
Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher has said he does not mind leaving in-form players out of his starting line-up as he utilises his squad for their end-of-season run-in.
Schumacher left midfielder Josh Sheehan on the bench against Birmingham City on Tuesday despite his fine recent performances.
In the end, Sheehan came on as an 89th-minute substitute in their stunning comeback 3-1 win against the League One leaders, with Schumacher saying his initial omission was down to the Trotters' game plan.
"We left him out for tactical reasons. We felt it was George Thomason's type of game with the pressing we were going to do and the running power that George brings," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
"To leave such a good player out is not an easy call. Obviously he's not going to be happy but he understood that it was for the best interests of the team."
Using Bolton's squad depth will be crucial, Schumacher said, as he targets a play-off spot before the end of the season.
Bolton are currently seventh in the table, one point off the top six.
"We pick starting XIs based on what we think is going to be the best team to give us a chance to win the game and also what sort of lads and impact people coming off the bench can have," Schumacher said.
"That's what we'll continue to do, it won't be the same starting XI for every game from now until the end of the season because that's not possible.
"You have to use the whole squad when you've got a strong squad."
Bolton have shown fighting spirit in Schumacher's first seven games in charge of the club, with all four victories during that time coming after conceding first.
"Four times we've come from behind and won so it shows good character, it shows the lads keep going," he said.
"They don't let a bit of adversity get to them and they're going to need that to continue because there will certainly be more games between now and the end of the season where we concede first."