The Bolton boss was delighted that after making 11 changes to his starting line up and bringing four young players in for their debuts that he could be summing up such an emphatic scoreline as the rain continued to pelt down at Boundary Park.
Two goals from Marcus Forss alongside strikes from Jordi Osei-Tutu, John McAtee, Toby Ritchie and Sam Dalby effectively meant his whole attacking until had got themselves on the scoresheet.
It was the first time that Bolton had scored six times away from home in a competitive fixture since January 1928, when they beat Blackburn Rovers 6-1.
League Two Oldham got themselves a couple of consolations at the end – and they proved to be the only downside that Schumacher could possibly suggest after a night where everything Bolton touched in the second half turned to goals.
“It was a really good night,” said the Wanderers boss. “No injuries as well, which is excellent. We got loads of minutes into players who needed it.
“Some debuts as well, which is brilliant. And, as you say, some goals and confidence and another win on the board. So, loads of positives to take from the night.
“Two negatives because they shouldn’t have scored. That’s it.”
Unless Bolton had lost by a heavy margin, their place as group winners was not under threat and now means they will have a home draw in the round of 32.
Schumacher has talked up the value of the competition for keeping his whole squad bubbling under and having emerged from the group with a 100 per cent record he feels confident going into the knockout stages.
“We have taken the competition seriously because of the strength and depth in the squad that we’ve got,” he said. “It gives us a chance to play strong teams in it. And it also gives the opportunity for the players then to show that they’re ready to play in the league fixtures.
“And we’ve chopped and changed. And, as I say, the performances have been really good and the results have been what we needed. So, yeah, it’s pleasing to top the group.
“It’s pleasing to win all three games. And now we look forward to whoever we get in the next round in this competition.”
Wanderers’ weekend game at Stevenage has been called off for international call-ups but Schumacher isn’t too concerned that momentum will be affected by the break.
“You can’t think like that,” he said. “When the game’s off, the game’s off. So, we have to be prepared for the next one, which is Bradford. We’ll use this weekend to the best of our advantage if we can.
“We give the players a couple of days off to recharge and rest up and get ready to go again. And when we come up against Bradford, we’re going into a game full of confidence and belief. And, obviously, against a team who are above us in the league at the moment.
“So, it’ll be a huge game and I can’t wait for it.”
Schumacher is also encouraged by the attitude of his players, who have coped with rotation in the cup competitions and produced results, creating a genuine sense of competition within the squad.
“I’ve got a sense of it all along,” he said. “There’s a strong squad at the moment and there’s real competition for places. And whoever we pick, at the moment, we’re seeing not too much of a drop-off in performance.
“We changed, whatever, seven changes for the FA Cup tie, a few more changes for the next league game and both performances were excellent.
“And then, tonight, it’s the same. Eleven changes for tonight and we’ve done the business to get the result that we wanted. So, it’s a great problem to have and long may that continue.”