Home
PHIL Parkinson believes he has added an “extra dimension” to his promotion-winning squad with the introduction of attacking trio Will Buckley, Sammy Ameobi and Adam Armstrong.
Wanderers’ new-look attack was showcased for the first time in midweek at Fylde and caught the eye in the second half.
Gary Madine and Adam Le Fondre shouldered the striker’s burden last season but with Filipe Morais still to return from injury and at least one more front man due through the door, Parkinson is keen to ensure he will not be short on options in the Championship this time around.
"I think the three new lads give us an extra dimension, their movement is good, Armstrong has that pace in behind. He has got that ability to make things happen,” he told The Bolton News.
“We want to make sure this season we have cover in every position but also that bit of extra quality which reflects the division we’re going into.”
Buckley, who arrived on a free transfer after his release from Sunderland, has shown up well in the opening pre-season games, and Parkinson thinks his intelligent movement around the penalty box will be an important addition.
“He’s a clever player,” said the manager. “I think you’ve seen already he has got good running ability and he’s able to break forward and to join the front players, which we are going to need this season.”
Armstrong had his first outing in a Wanderers shirt at Mill Farm and also gave some promising glimpses of what could be in store in the Championship.
But Parkinson is keen to keep pressure off the England Under-20 international’s shoulders as he continues to work towards peak fitness.
“Adam is a little bit behind compared to the others in his pre-season, so he will need some more work,” he said. “But we knew that when we signed him.
“His final third play was good, especially the one he set Will Buckley up for towards the end of the game.
“He wants to get in behind defenders, get in on goal, and I think the fans will enjoy watching him this season.”
Wanderers lined-up with three at the back at Fylde, harking back to the system which helped them clinch promotion last season in League One.
Injuries to key players forced Parkinson into a series of tactical re-thinks last season – prompting a shift from 4-2-3-1 to 3-5-2 in February - but he hopes to have greater tactical flexibility this time around to master both systems.
“Three-five-two was a system which worked well for us last season and it’s one we need in our armoury,” he said.
“We can’t be a team which recruits just for one system and then find five or six weeks down the line that we haven’t got the change in our locker.
“We will work on both systems.”
Wanderers go to Fleetwood for their next pre-season friendly this weekend but might have to do without the services of midfielder Jem Karacan, who picked up an injury in the goalless draw at Fylde.
“Jem got a whack on the toes and we’re hoping it isn’t too serious,” Parkinson explained. “He is a tough lad and wanted to stay on but his foot started to swell up towards the end so there’s no need to take the risk.”
Filipe Morais is also unlikely to feature, as he is still carrying a knee injury.
“Fleetwood will be another step up for us,” said the manager. “They came very close last season to promotion but obviously we’re delighted to be the ones in the Championship.
“Once again they have recruited well in the summer and it will be a good match for us.
“We’re just concentrating on ourselves for now, getting some more work into the lads and looking to give the senior players some more minutes under their belts on Saturday afternoon.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15421417.Parkinson_excited_by___39_extra_dimension__39__in_his_attacking_ranks_at_Wanderers/?ref=mrb&lp=8
Wanderers’ new-look attack was showcased for the first time in midweek at Fylde and caught the eye in the second half.
Gary Madine and Adam Le Fondre shouldered the striker’s burden last season but with Filipe Morais still to return from injury and at least one more front man due through the door, Parkinson is keen to ensure he will not be short on options in the Championship this time around.
"I think the three new lads give us an extra dimension, their movement is good, Armstrong has that pace in behind. He has got that ability to make things happen,” he told The Bolton News.
“We want to make sure this season we have cover in every position but also that bit of extra quality which reflects the division we’re going into.”
Buckley, who arrived on a free transfer after his release from Sunderland, has shown up well in the opening pre-season games, and Parkinson thinks his intelligent movement around the penalty box will be an important addition.
“He’s a clever player,” said the manager. “I think you’ve seen already he has got good running ability and he’s able to break forward and to join the front players, which we are going to need this season.”
Armstrong had his first outing in a Wanderers shirt at Mill Farm and also gave some promising glimpses of what could be in store in the Championship.
But Parkinson is keen to keep pressure off the England Under-20 international’s shoulders as he continues to work towards peak fitness.
“Adam is a little bit behind compared to the others in his pre-season, so he will need some more work,” he said. “But we knew that when we signed him.
“His final third play was good, especially the one he set Will Buckley up for towards the end of the game.
“He wants to get in behind defenders, get in on goal, and I think the fans will enjoy watching him this season.”
Wanderers lined-up with three at the back at Fylde, harking back to the system which helped them clinch promotion last season in League One.
Injuries to key players forced Parkinson into a series of tactical re-thinks last season – prompting a shift from 4-2-3-1 to 3-5-2 in February - but he hopes to have greater tactical flexibility this time around to master both systems.
“Three-five-two was a system which worked well for us last season and it’s one we need in our armoury,” he said.
“We can’t be a team which recruits just for one system and then find five or six weeks down the line that we haven’t got the change in our locker.
“We will work on both systems.”
Wanderers go to Fleetwood for their next pre-season friendly this weekend but might have to do without the services of midfielder Jem Karacan, who picked up an injury in the goalless draw at Fylde.
“Jem got a whack on the toes and we’re hoping it isn’t too serious,” Parkinson explained. “He is a tough lad and wanted to stay on but his foot started to swell up towards the end so there’s no need to take the risk.”
Filipe Morais is also unlikely to feature, as he is still carrying a knee injury.
“Fleetwood will be another step up for us,” said the manager. “They came very close last season to promotion but obviously we’re delighted to be the ones in the Championship.
“Once again they have recruited well in the summer and it will be a good match for us.
“We’re just concentrating on ourselves for now, getting some more work into the lads and looking to give the senior players some more minutes under their belts on Saturday afternoon.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15421417.Parkinson_excited_by___39_extra_dimension__39__in_his_attacking_ranks_at_Wanderers/?ref=mrb&lp=8