We’re safe with two games left
Oscar Threlkeld acquitted himself well, having been thrown back into the first team fold. He started the game before being forced off with injury in the second half, having made a goal line tackle.
He`s one who Bolton fans would have hoped to see more of this season, following encouraging displays towards the tail end of our last campaign. However, disappointing showings against the likes of Crewe Alexandra and Norwich City this year have restricted him to U21 matches.
Having come through our academy, Bolton fans will always endear to players like him. In the last few years we`ve struggled to see players who have come through the youth setup establish themselves in the first team, until this season. Sure, the likes of Sanmi Odelusi, Georg Iliev and Tom Youngs made cameo appearances last year. However, only recently have the likes of Josh Vela, Tom Walker and Zach Clough burst onto the scene and made a difference. Neil Lennon has insisted that they`re not in the squad for the day out, or to make up numbers. They`re there to have a big impact on the game.
Since we`re safe with two games to go, there are others who I`d like to see play. I`d like Threlkeld to play both, which would be a good test to see if he`s ready for first team football next year (this could also dictate what Neil Lennon does with regards to looking for a right back in the summer). I`d like to see Twardzik start in one. He`s young, and since we own him we ought to give him a go. Technically, he`s very good and the only way he`ll get used to playing in the Championship is by being given experience. I`d also like to see Quade Taylor given a run out. He`ll be 22 this year, yet he still hasn`t played single professional game. He`s impressed for the U21`s, so I believe it`s make or break time for him.
Obviously, we want to compete in our games against AFC Bournemouth and Birmingham City- two pretty strong teams. However, if playing the likes of Threlkeld and Twardzik means that we can`t compete, then they should not be contracted to a Championship football club! They`re both in need of first team games to aid their development and I really don`t see the point in playing Giles Coke unless it`s to use him as a foil for Twardzik.
Barry Bannan and Neil Danns should not play in the next two games. Not just because of their ill-discipline, but also because it would be interesting to see how we cope without them. If it means playing Liam Trotter, then so be it. Like it or not, he`s contracted to the club for another two years!