Home
Gary Madine has been instructed not to worry about his lack of goals of late – he’s in the form of his Wanderers career.
Having suffered more than most during the club’s struggles last season, the big striker no longer looks like he is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Praised for his work-rate in the 2-0 win at Bury on Monday night, the former Sheffield Wednesday man appears to be winning over some of the critics who assembled in a difficult first year at the Macron.
Madine has, however, gone eight games since his last goal for the Whites – the last in the 1-1 draw at Charlton in August.
Zach Clough knocked him off top spot in the club’s goal-scoring charts at Gigg Lane but Phil Parkinson believes his hard work will soon be rewarded.
“I always say to players like Gary ‘play well so your team wins’ because if you are scoring goals and not picking up points it doesn’t matter,” the manager told The Bolton News.
“If you can come off the pitch having contributed to a victory then you can’t get frustrated.
“Gary is doing that. He’s fitter and training better than he has for a long time and he’s reaping the rewards on the pitch.
“We’re pleased with his all-round game. Of course, he wants to hit the headlines for scoring and it will happen because he’s a really good finisher.”
Jamie Proctor has also had to watch from the bench, missing a golden opportunity to open his own league account for Wanderers in the final minutes of Monday’s derby.
He, Chris Taylor and James Henry are having to wait patiently for their next chance as a settled side continues to grind out results.
Parkinson hopes any frustration felt at not being a part of the starting line-up is channelled in the right way.
“I can’t stress enough as we go into the winter months how important that is going to be,” he said. “Games can be won from the bench.
“Players who are not starting games should be disgruntled. I expect that. But when they get out on the pitch they have to show it the right way.
“They need to make sure we get back into the game or make sure we stay in the lead – and that has happened in the last few weeks, I have been very pleased.”
Wanderers face Port Vale at home tomorrow and then prepare for FA Cup first round action against League Two Grimsby.
Despite the fact results have picked up considerably in October, the Whites rocketing into second place in the table, Parkinson is still looking for improvement.
“There are always areas to improve on and look at,” he said. “The spirit and the effort in the team is really good, we’ve reset our standards on that, and we need to keep it there.
“Everyone has been doing their job without the ball, which is absolutely key. I have spoken with players like Zach Clough about this, because when you look at the top teams the work ethic is exceptional and we need to instil that in our lads and we’re getting there.
“It’s a long break after this game, and a long time to be sat looking at the league table.”
Source
Having suffered more than most during the club’s struggles last season, the big striker no longer looks like he is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Praised for his work-rate in the 2-0 win at Bury on Monday night, the former Sheffield Wednesday man appears to be winning over some of the critics who assembled in a difficult first year at the Macron.
Madine has, however, gone eight games since his last goal for the Whites – the last in the 1-1 draw at Charlton in August.
Zach Clough knocked him off top spot in the club’s goal-scoring charts at Gigg Lane but Phil Parkinson believes his hard work will soon be rewarded.
“I always say to players like Gary ‘play well so your team wins’ because if you are scoring goals and not picking up points it doesn’t matter,” the manager told The Bolton News.
“If you can come off the pitch having contributed to a victory then you can’t get frustrated.
“Gary is doing that. He’s fitter and training better than he has for a long time and he’s reaping the rewards on the pitch.
“We’re pleased with his all-round game. Of course, he wants to hit the headlines for scoring and it will happen because he’s a really good finisher.”
Jamie Proctor has also had to watch from the bench, missing a golden opportunity to open his own league account for Wanderers in the final minutes of Monday’s derby.
He, Chris Taylor and James Henry are having to wait patiently for their next chance as a settled side continues to grind out results.
Parkinson hopes any frustration felt at not being a part of the starting line-up is channelled in the right way.
“I can’t stress enough as we go into the winter months how important that is going to be,” he said. “Games can be won from the bench.
“Players who are not starting games should be disgruntled. I expect that. But when they get out on the pitch they have to show it the right way.
“They need to make sure we get back into the game or make sure we stay in the lead – and that has happened in the last few weeks, I have been very pleased.”
Wanderers face Port Vale at home tomorrow and then prepare for FA Cup first round action against League Two Grimsby.
Despite the fact results have picked up considerably in October, the Whites rocketing into second place in the table, Parkinson is still looking for improvement.
“There are always areas to improve on and look at,” he said. “The spirit and the effort in the team is really good, we’ve reset our standards on that, and we need to keep it there.
“Everyone has been doing their job without the ball, which is absolutely key. I have spoken with players like Zach Clough about this, because when you look at the top teams the work ethic is exceptional and we need to instil that in our lads and we’re getting there.
“It’s a long break after this game, and a long time to be sat looking at the league table.”
Source