The 26 year-old has struggled to win over Trotters’ fans since his million pound plus move from London Road 12 months ago. He's scored two goals in 39 appearances (21 starts) for Bolton and his late substitution in the 2-1 Boxing Day win against Rotherham United was cheered by the home fans.
That prompted Schumacher to offer words of comfort and support, but also words of warning. Randall has come on as a substitute in the last two Bolton games. He should be in the matchday squad for the League One game at Posh on Saturday.
Schumacher told the Bolton News: “It’s an unforgiving game. It’s down to Joel now, it’s over to him. He has had a lot of opportunities, played a lot this year, all in the number 10 position, and it will only happen for him if he keeps believing and keeps putting himself into those areas.
"Sometimes you just might need a deflection, a bit of luck to go your way. But if he stops believing in himself and stops getting in those areas, then it definitely won't happen. Hopefully it does for him because I think he's a good player.
"When Joel does start scoring, I think he could become a different player because his all-round game is actually really good, with and without the ball.”
Randall was outstanding in the 2023-24 Posh team that contested the League One play-offs. He scored 12 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions that season. His other two-and-a-half seasons at London Road were easily forgettable.
Midfielder Kyle Dempsey is another ex-Posh player in the current Bolton squad, while forward Klaidi Lolos moved to London Road from Wanderers in August, but has not been involved in recent weeks. Current Posh loanee Peter Kioso has also spent time at Bolton.
These other footballers who have played for both clubs include one of the great Posh midfielders, a couple of promotion winners, and a couple of great entertainers. How many do you remember?
1. Ben Alnwick
Goalkeeper who played 97 times for Posh between 2014 and 2017 before moving to Bolton and playing a similar amount of times for 'The Trotters.' Posh signed him from Leyton Orient. Photo: Joe Dent
2. MARK BEEVERS (left)
A rock of a centre-back when Posh won automatic promotion from League One in the 2020-21 season. He played 45 third tier games that season. He made 101 appearances for Posh in total without scoring before he left for Perth Glory in Australia. Posh had signed Beevers on a free transfer from Bolton in July 2019. Beevers had scored 12 goals in 132 appearances for Bolton. He also won a LEague One promotion with 'The Trotters.' Photo: Joe Dent
3. ETHAN HAMILTON
Another Posh promotion winner in the 2020-21 season, but a midfielder who was mainly a squad player. Hamilton was signed on a free transfer from Manchester United in August 20, but started just 21 times (1 goal) before he left for Accrington Stanley, Hamilton played 12 times for Bolton on loan from United in the 2019-20 season, also scoring once. Photo: Joe Dent
4. FREDDIE HILL
One of the greatest midfielders to grace London Road and a key figure in the last Posh team to win a title, the Fourth Division in 1973-74. Posh signed him from Manchester City for £5k before the start of that season. He played 89 times for the club in total, scoring 8 goals, often direct from free kicks. He was at Posh towards the end of a career that started at Bolton for whom he made 412 appearances, scoring 79 goals. Legendary Liverpool boss Bill Shankly described Hill as 'the best midfielder in the country,' but a failed medical stopped a move to Anfield. Photo: David Lowndes