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IT is a case of right-back to the drawing board for Wanderers this weekend as they hatch a plan to cope with Lawrie Wilson’s absence.
The full-back had his season effectively ended by a serious hamstring injury, leaving little specialist cover for Phil Parkinson to draw upon.
The Whites boss has three immediate choices: Appoint from within, find a free agent elsewhere, or change the 4-2-3-1 system to a back three which would not need out-and-out full-backs.
Few players out of contract will be fit enough to slot straight in and the club has ruled out the chances of a signing before this weekend.
Parkinson used a midfield diamond earlier in the campaign but hit upon a winning run with his current system and has been reluctant to change.
Past experiments under previous managers with a three-man back line have produced a mixed bag. To hoist a completely new formation on the team at this stage of the season would be a significant test of the coaching staff and the players.
What of the options from within? Here we take a look at Parkinson’s choices.
Derik Osede – Probably the leading candidate, having played at right-back already this season. The Spanish 23-year-old got back into the team as a holding midfielder last week but his favoured role is centre-back.
Derik is arguably as comfortable in possession as anyone else in the squad and he reads the game beautifully. Wanderers have also not lost a game this season with him in the starting line-up.
The problem for the former Real Madrid man is that he seems to lack some confidence out wide. Had he looked more contented earlier in the season, it is reasonable to suggest he would have stayed ahead of Lawrie Wilson and Lewis Buxton.
Lewis Buxton – Not completely out of the equation as he is working hard to regain fitness after a horrible run of back injuries.
The 33-year-old came in last summer to offer cover across the back four and started the season at right-back. He was replaced by Wilson after the goalless draw with Bradford City in October, when his injury first started to flare up and has made just one appearance in the Checkatrade Trophy ever since.
His experience should be an asset but such a long time out means he will need a long time to gain match fitness.
Andy Taylor – Dropped out of last weekend’s draw at MK Dons with a groin problem but is making good progress. Could Parkinson ask him to switch to the right and use Dean Moxey down the left? Taylor has been one of Wanderers’ most consistent customers, and he does have the experience and temperament to handle the move.
Josh Vela – Whisper it quietly; he can play right-back. Outstanding for most of the season at number 10, it would be a bold move.
The midfielder did a dutiful job under Neil Lennon in defence but Parkinson does not have another midfielder who can cover the same ground and offer the same goal threat.
If Vela is switched, it may be to a wing-back role. That is, if the manager is considering a back three.
Jay Spearing – Filled-in at right back for the last 10 minutes at MK Dons and drew tongue-in-cheek comparisons to Brazil legend Cafu from David Wheater. In reality, it is unlikely Parkinson will move his most reliable and solid ball-winner from the middle of midfield.
David Wheater – Speaking of the Redcar Rock, he did fill-in at right-back in Gretar Steinsson’s absence against Blackburn Rovers in a rare moment of glory for Ewood boss Steve Kean in April 2011. Poor Wheater was forced to play there again the following season as Joe Riley and Dedryck Boyata succumbed to injury. He was sent off for an ‘agricultural’ challenge on Everton’s Diniyar Bilyaletdinov after 19 minutes and the experiment was never again repeated.
Young ones – Alex Honeyball and Callum Spooner are highly thought of at the academy. Asking them to step up and complete a season would be a tall order, even assuming it would not impinge on the embargo.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15078118.Wanderers_searching_for_Mr_Right_as_Walsall_come_to_town_this_weekend/?ref=mrb&lp=6
The full-back had his season effectively ended by a serious hamstring injury, leaving little specialist cover for Phil Parkinson to draw upon.
The Whites boss has three immediate choices: Appoint from within, find a free agent elsewhere, or change the 4-2-3-1 system to a back three which would not need out-and-out full-backs.
Few players out of contract will be fit enough to slot straight in and the club has ruled out the chances of a signing before this weekend.
Parkinson used a midfield diamond earlier in the campaign but hit upon a winning run with his current system and has been reluctant to change.
Past experiments under previous managers with a three-man back line have produced a mixed bag. To hoist a completely new formation on the team at this stage of the season would be a significant test of the coaching staff and the players.
What of the options from within? Here we take a look at Parkinson’s choices.
Derik Osede – Probably the leading candidate, having played at right-back already this season. The Spanish 23-year-old got back into the team as a holding midfielder last week but his favoured role is centre-back.
Derik is arguably as comfortable in possession as anyone else in the squad and he reads the game beautifully. Wanderers have also not lost a game this season with him in the starting line-up.
The problem for the former Real Madrid man is that he seems to lack some confidence out wide. Had he looked more contented earlier in the season, it is reasonable to suggest he would have stayed ahead of Lawrie Wilson and Lewis Buxton.
Lewis Buxton – Not completely out of the equation as he is working hard to regain fitness after a horrible run of back injuries.
The 33-year-old came in last summer to offer cover across the back four and started the season at right-back. He was replaced by Wilson after the goalless draw with Bradford City in October, when his injury first started to flare up and has made just one appearance in the Checkatrade Trophy ever since.
His experience should be an asset but such a long time out means he will need a long time to gain match fitness.
Andy Taylor – Dropped out of last weekend’s draw at MK Dons with a groin problem but is making good progress. Could Parkinson ask him to switch to the right and use Dean Moxey down the left? Taylor has been one of Wanderers’ most consistent customers, and he does have the experience and temperament to handle the move.
Josh Vela – Whisper it quietly; he can play right-back. Outstanding for most of the season at number 10, it would be a bold move.
The midfielder did a dutiful job under Neil Lennon in defence but Parkinson does not have another midfielder who can cover the same ground and offer the same goal threat.
If Vela is switched, it may be to a wing-back role. That is, if the manager is considering a back three.
Jay Spearing – Filled-in at right back for the last 10 minutes at MK Dons and drew tongue-in-cheek comparisons to Brazil legend Cafu from David Wheater. In reality, it is unlikely Parkinson will move his most reliable and solid ball-winner from the middle of midfield.
David Wheater – Speaking of the Redcar Rock, he did fill-in at right-back in Gretar Steinsson’s absence against Blackburn Rovers in a rare moment of glory for Ewood boss Steve Kean in April 2011. Poor Wheater was forced to play there again the following season as Joe Riley and Dedryck Boyata succumbed to injury. He was sent off for an ‘agricultural’ challenge on Everton’s Diniyar Bilyaletdinov after 19 minutes and the experiment was never again repeated.
Young ones – Alex Honeyball and Callum Spooner are highly thought of at the academy. Asking them to step up and complete a season would be a tall order, even assuming it would not impinge on the embargo.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15078118.Wanderers_searching_for_Mr_Right_as_Walsall_come_to_town_this_weekend/?ref=mrb&lp=6