Exclusive: David Prutton hails "masterstroke" Steven Schumacher decision at Bolton Wanderers | OneFootball

David Prutton spoke exclusively to Football League World about Steven Schumacher and Bolton Wanderers

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has lauded Bolton Wanderers' recent appointment of Steven Schumacher as a "masterstroke" amid a significant upturn in form for the League One promotion hopefuls.

Football League World exclusively revealed the news of Schumacher's impending arrival at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in January following the departure of Ian Evatt, who had spent five years in charge and led Bolton out of League Two and towards contention for promotion back to the Championship.

But after losing out to Oxford United in last season's League One play-off final, Evatt fell short of inspiring a resurgence from the Trotters and eventually left amid long-standing criticism from supporters. In came Schumacher, though, who is shaping up to represent an inspired appointment from Bolton.

Schumacher, who was controversially dismissed by Championship strugglers Stoke City back in September, has guided Bolton to a four-match unbeaten run, which was extended by Tuesday's impressive 3-1 victory over runaway league leaders Birmingham.

Bolton are now just one point and one place shy of Huddersfield Town in sixth and have every chance of finishing the season inside the top-six, with the appointment of the former Plymouth Argyle boss having an instant impact.

David Prutton's Steven Schumacher, Bolton Wanderers verdict

The decision to appoint Schumacher appeared an impressive one from the offset, with the Liverpudlian having previously been both linked and touted for a number of jobs back in the Championship.

Now, EFL expert Prutton has labelled it a potential "masterstroke", while reminding that Bolton supporters must not get too caught up and forget about the positive and progressive work laid down by Evatt.

"Schuey and Bolton Wanderers seem to fit very well indeed," Prutton explained when speaking exclusively to FLW.

"We [Sky Sports] had Ian Evatt on the other day, who said it was a natural parting of the ways given the five years he'd had at Bolton with promotion and a cup win at Wembley, then getting beaten by Oxford in the play-off final and this season not going to plan.

"However, Schumacher coming in has really changed things around. Unbeaten in four and just a point off the top-six, and the ability to show that a seemingly-unbeatable Birmingham City side are, in fact, beatable.

"The form he's had in taking Plymouth up as champions even though all the clamour was around how well Ipswich had done, he went on to Stoke City and, speaking to him personally about it, it was a chance he couldn't turn down.

"Geographically, of course, we sometimes forget where managers find themselves around the country with family so he seems very at home where he is right now, both literally and professionally.

"I think it was a masterstroke potentially. The emotional ties of Evatt and what he managed to do and navigate the club through tricky times on and off the pitch should not be forgotten too quickly, but the new manager in town is doing a very good job."

Bolton Wanderers' upcoming fixtures

Bolton will be full of momentum at the minute, which they stand a good chance of sustaining when looking ahead to their upcoming fixture schedule.

Next on the agenda is a trip to 21st-placed Burton Albion this weekend - good value for all three points once again, one would like to imagine. Then, it's another relegation-threatened outfit after that in the form of next Tuesday's visit to Bristol Rovers, before a crunch clash with fellow play-off chasers Stockport County.

Matches against the likes of Barnsley and Wycombe Wanderers before the campaign concludes will offer a stiff test of Bolton's resolve, but Schumacher can look forward to what is, at face value, a generally appealing end-of-season fixture list which hands his side a strong chance of securing a top-six spot.