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Thierry Gale is stepping up to the plate for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship

The international break is upon us, and most sides in the Championship are relishing a much-needed rest after what has been a hectic opening six weeks of the campaign.

For Bolton Wanderers, though, the three-week gap between their most recent and their next game on October 10th hasn't come at the best of times, as Steven Schumacher's side hit a good vein of form heading into the break.

Indeed, after four straight defeats, the Trotters were beginning to feel the full force of the Championship in their first year back after seven away, but a home win against fellow newly-promoted side Cardiff City and a first win on the road this season at Norwich City have all of a sudden put some positivity on the opening eight games.

Bolton are now 15th with three wins from eight games, and the one thing in common with all those victories is that Thierry Gale has gotten on the scoresheet in each of them.

Thierry Gale's form is unexpected after a decent, yet low-key, first season at Bolton Wanderers

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This is Gale's second year at Bolton, arriving last summer from Austrian side Rapid Vienna for BDS $1.2 million, which equates to around £445,000.

The 24-year-old had a difficult time at Vienna after becoming the reported most expensive player to come from Barbados when he made the move in 2023. An ACL injury plagued his time there, and he only played nine senior games in all competitions.

Importantly, he maintained a decent fitness level at Bolton last season, which was a big positive, given his two previous years, but arguably, that was aided by some good load management from Steven Schumacher and his coaching staff.

Gale started just 20 of his 36 League One appearances last year, and he never made more than five consecutive bows from the off. Despite that, he still managed to register five goals and four assists in just under 1,800 minutes of action.

Bolton Wanderers' attacking depth last season allowed for Thierry Gale to play a supporting role at times

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That being said, Gale never needed to be starting every week in his first season at Bolton, as Steven Schumacher was blessed with plenty of attacking depth in wide areas.

The Trotters played the loan market to perfection in their promotion campaign last year. Not only was Amario Cozier-Duberry one of the best players in the whole division, but the likes of Ibrahim Cissoko and Corey Blackett-Taylor chipped in across the year, and Rob Apter made up the numbers, too.

In the play-offs, Gale was actually an unused substitute in Bolton's semi-final first-leg win against Bradford City and came off the bench in the second leg. He was handed a start in the win at Wembley over Stockport County.

So, last year, the 24-year-old was part of a very good core of players in the wide areas. This season, though, he's had to take a more starring role, and so far, he's living up to the bill.

Thierry Gale is stepping up after star wingers left Bolton Wanderers this summer

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The big worry across the Bolton fanbase this summer surrounded who would replace the output that Cozier-Duberry provided, as it was evident from pretty early on in the window that, despite their promotion, he would be loaned out to a club with promotion ambitions, if the Championship proved to be his destination.

The Trotters did bolster their wide areas this summer, but Gale was the only winger left standing from their squad last year. Given he was more of an impact player than a regular starter last season, not many were expecting him to make that step up in the way he has.

The 24-year-old has proven in the early stages that he can be a very good Championship winger and quite a ruthless goalscorer, too. The wideman has three goals this season from just nine shots, totalling 0.49 expected goals.

Outside of that, though, he's been the main man tasked with getting the ball up the pitch for Steven Schumacher's side. His 12 successful dribbles rank him in the top 6% of wingers in the league, and he ranks in the top 10 in the Championship for the average meters made per progressive carry.

His contributions have led to Bolton's three wins this season, whether that be the late winner against Cardiff, the second in the 2-1 win over Preston North End on the opening day or the first equaliser in the crazy 4-3 win at Carrow Road on Sunday.

Thierry Gale will have a challenge to stay consistent after a strong start

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It's been a very good start to life in the Championship for Gale, but the challenge for the 24-year-old after the international break is to keep this level of consistency up.

Despite victories in their last two, Bolton are still expected to be scrapping down at the bottom of the division. Every win will be vital, and if Gale can continue being the main attacking threat for Steven Schumacher's side, he'll be able to help them notch the wins needed for survival.

There are still some doubts over whether this performance level can be maintained for the Barbados international, but as the weeks have gone by, those are starting to quieten a little bit.

Gale may not be Cozier-Duberry, but he's proving to be just as important for Bolton so far this season. If he can keep this up and contribute to a season of solidification in the Championship, those at the Toughsheet may have a new hero out wide.