Some of our players are apparently the best in the league. Read on for more on Chung Yong Lee, Mark Davies, Andy Lonergan and Dorian Dervite
Chung Yong Lee:
On speaking to Bolton Wanderers media staff Neil Lennon said the following of Korean midfielder, Chung Yong Lee, following the Irishman’s arrival.
‘In Lee Chung-Yong I have a really special talent and a tremendous footballer.
‘He`s getting better and better in his performances and he`s a joy to watch.
“We`ve got one of the best talents in the league, no doubting that.
‘He`s got the vision to play people in with a first time pass.
On paper, Lee certainly should be among the best in the Championship- he BULLIED Premier League defenders in his first two seasons at Bolton, so one would hope that he’s be able to bring his ability into a lower league.
The increased intensity of the Championship has made life harder for Lee though, and I feel that under Lennon he’s just starting to adapt his game to suit the league.
His game isn’t as much about running at defenders and crossing as it used to be. Lee’s passing and positional play has developed immensely in recent weeks and I think he could well be one of the best in the league.
Mark Davies:
Some have also said that Mark Davies is one of the best in the league.
The former Wolves man has incredible talent.
He can run with a ball as fast as he can without and in doing so gives his team invaluable momentum to push forward in attack.
Injuries have blighted a career that could have seen Mark Davies playing towards the top end of the Premier League and in an England shirt at this stage in his career.
I’d go so far to say that he could have been better than Jordan Henderson. However, the reality is that he’s injured too much (through little fault of his own) and may well never get to enjoy the success that he could.
These injuries also mean that I don’t think he’s one of the best in the league.
Andy Lonergan:
Speaking to the Bolton News, Neil Danns said that “It would be difficult to imagine anyone in the Championship is playing as well in goal as he is at the minute.’
Lonergan has had a very difficult career at Bolton, having to play second fiddle for much of the time to Hungary international, Adam Bogdàn.
However, he’s been given an extended run under Neil Lennon and has taken this chance superbly.
I think we can look back to the game against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup to see Lonergan playing at his best.
That was back in September, and this run of form has continued to the end of the year and can hopefully go on.
The question is though, is he the best in the league? The Championship is full of good goalkeepers- look at the likes of Artur Boruc and Karl Darlow.
I’d be inclined to say no, though he certainly is up there.
The reason for this is that while he can make tremendous saves, and show superb agility and bravery he tends to flap around at crosses too much and his distribution isn’t quite good enough to merit ‘The Vital Bolton Awarded Championship Golden Glove’.
Dorian Dervite:
Upon signing Dervite, former manager Dougie Freedman had the following to say to The Bolton News on the French defender:
‘Dorian is 26-years-old and has a great pedigree.
‘He is an outstanding player at this level and to get him on a free transfer is great business for the football club.
‘His future is bright and if he keeps progressing, he will be one of the best defenders in the division, in my opinion. He’s at the right age and has the right attitude we want at the club.’
Dervite is good technically- he can pass well with either foot and his positioning is sound.
However, at first I found him to be a little clumsy- a trait you don’t often expect in such a technical player.
He’s really grown into the squad, though, and has developed a sound and resolute partnership with Matt Mills at the centre of the defence.
I’d like to see him add a few goals to his name- which was an aim of his at the beginning of the season.
I reckon if he continues to develop under assistant manager, and former defender, Johan Mjallby, the former Tottenham, Southend and Villareal ‘B’ man could well find himself being one of the best in the league.