"Put my hat on it" - Carlton Palmer delivers Bolton Wanderers play-off statement as Steven Schumacher appointment looms | OneFootball

The Trotters are said to be closing in on a deal to bring Steven Schumacher to the Tough Sheet Stadium

Carlton Palmer believes Bolton Wanderers will be making an excellent appointment in Steven Schumacher, with the pundit convinced the former Stoke City man will get the Trotters into the League One play-offs should he take over at the Tough Sheet Stadium.

Football League World exclusively revealed yesterday that Wanderers were on the cusp of appointing the 40-year-old, having parted ways with long-term boss Ian Evatt earlier in the month.

With a promotion from the third tier with Plymouth Argyle already on his CV, Palmer believes the potential appointment will have a positive impact going forwards for the former Premier League side, who find themselves outside the top six on goal difference as it stands.

Carlton Palmer tips Steven Schumacher for Bolton Wanderers success

While no official announcement has been made as yet, all the signs are pointing towards Schumacher taking over the Trotters within the coming days, as he looks to rejuvenate his own career after a tumultuous time in charge of Stoke City.

Having left Home Park to join the Potters in December 2023, the former Bury man lasted just nine months in the role before being axed in September last year, despite winning two of the first five matches of the Championship season.

With an eye-catching style of football and success already in his early managerial career, Palmer can only see positives for Bolton if the rumoured appointment becomes official.

The former Sheffield Wednesday man said: "It is brilliant news for Bolton Wanderers supporters. Obviously, I was sad to see Ian Evatt leave the club. I think he has done a terrific job over the years but the tide had turned for him.

"Steven Schumacher looks like he is going to be the next Bolton Wanderers manager. They are level on points with the final play-off place so I think it is a magnificent appointment.

"Schumacher knows what it takes to get out of this division, it is a magnificent coup for them that he has dropped down to come and manage the club.

"He led Plymouth Argyle to the League One title ahead of Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town side in the 22/23 season, and he also held his own in the Championship with the Pilgrims and then the Potters."

Carlton Palmer backs Bolton Wanderers for play-off push

While the mood had turned sour surrounding Evatt during his time at the club, Wanderers are still in a fantastic position heading into the second-half of the season, with the top six still well within touching distance.

The Trotters are level on points with sixth-placed Leyton Orient as it stands, although the O’s do have a game in hand over their rivals, while Stockport County occupy the position above with just three more points to their name.

Although there are 14 points separating Bolton and the automatic promotion spots, things look set up for a strong finish to the campaign, with Palmer confident a third successive top six finish awaits if Schumacher is appointed.

He continued: "With his sacking at Stoke, I thought it was really harsh. I think it is a magnificent appointment for Bolton and I think it gives them every chance of being in the play-offs.

"I think it is going to be a long stretch for the to get automatic promotion given this sides that are at the top there. You’ve got Wycombe, Birmingham, Wrexham, so I think it is a long stretch to get automatic promotion, but they will certainly be in the play-offs with Steven Schumacher. I will put my hat on it.

"When you get into the play-offs, you never know. He has proven what he can do with low budgets; bringing players in, getting the best out of them.

"Look at Morgan Whittaker, he brought him in to Plymouth Argyle, and he was a revelation there, so it is a very good appointment, and Bolton supporters should be really excited for the second-half of the season."