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Phil Parkinson is banking on spearhead Gary Madine staying in the shape of his career at Wanderers.
The target man was roundly praised for his swashbuckling performance against Leeds United, opening his account for the season with a first-half header.
Parkinson helped to turn Madine’s Bolton career around in League One last season, watching him score 10 goals in the promotion push and reinvent himself in the eyes of the Bolton fans.
And the Whites boss admits he will be relying on the 26-year-old continuing his fine form if the club is to achieve its aim of stability in the second tier.
“Gaz is as fit as he’s ever been,” the manager said. “He’s a player who should be able to play at this level because he’s got all the attributes.
“He’s in a confident frame of mind. He scored a terrific header (against Leeds) and then nearly scored with an audacious volley as well. His all-round game was good and he’ll be pleased.”
Though Madine struggled to settle in his first season at the Macron Stadium under Neil Lennon and was involved in a number of high-profile spats with the ex-Bolton boss, he has since pushed on to become a key member of Parkinson’s squad.
The Whites boss believes off-the-field problems at the club during their last stay in the Championship made it tougher for the striker to adapt following his arrival from Sheffield Wednesday.
“When he came to the club, with all the problems he’d had, it was probably the wrong club for him to come to, considering all the issues the club then had,” he said.
“He needed a bit more stability and help to guide him in the right direction.
“Now he is maturing on and off the pitch and that’s important.”
Parkinson’s praise was backed up by defender Andy Taylor, who reckons his presence up front could be key to staying out of trouble on the club’s return to the Championship.
“I thought he was excellent against Leeds and on his day Gaz can be whoever he wants to be,” he said.
“If we can keep him like that, nine times out of 10 we’ll be okay.
“He’s fantastic at holding it up, he worked hard, won flick-ons and he was unlucky with his effort he chested down and volleyed – that would have been a fantastic goal.
“Everyone knows what Gaz is about. Hopefully he keeps fit and keeps his confidence up and he’ll be a massive player for us this season.”
Madine has had to conqueror his fair share of demons during his footballing career but Taylor believes Parkinson’s calm influence is bringing the best out of the 26-year-old – and could eventually push him further up the Football League ladder.
“Most players would like an arm around them at some point, Gaz is no different,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what people are doing or saying to him at the moment, it’s working so hopefully that can carry on.
“If he goes and gets us 10-15 goals it will be a successful season. I also think if he does that he’ll have a few people knocking on his door from above.”
Parkinson has hinted at wholesale changes for tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup game at Crewe, and could give first starts to Will Buckley, Reece Burke and Adam Armstrong, who all impressed off the bench in the second half against Leeds.
“Will came on and gave us what we needed, someone to run in behind with the ball, to carry the ball, and he showed some real quality,” he said.
“He’s the same with Reece Burke, he’s got real quality on the ball and that added a dimension to the team.
“Adam is a confident lad and a very good footballer. He was behind in his preparation when he came in during pre-season but he’s getting sharper each day.”
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The target man was roundly praised for his swashbuckling performance against Leeds United, opening his account for the season with a first-half header.
Parkinson helped to turn Madine’s Bolton career around in League One last season, watching him score 10 goals in the promotion push and reinvent himself in the eyes of the Bolton fans.
And the Whites boss admits he will be relying on the 26-year-old continuing his fine form if the club is to achieve its aim of stability in the second tier.
“Gaz is as fit as he’s ever been,” the manager said. “He’s a player who should be able to play at this level because he’s got all the attributes.
“He’s in a confident frame of mind. He scored a terrific header (against Leeds) and then nearly scored with an audacious volley as well. His all-round game was good and he’ll be pleased.”
Though Madine struggled to settle in his first season at the Macron Stadium under Neil Lennon and was involved in a number of high-profile spats with the ex-Bolton boss, he has since pushed on to become a key member of Parkinson’s squad.
The Whites boss believes off-the-field problems at the club during their last stay in the Championship made it tougher for the striker to adapt following his arrival from Sheffield Wednesday.
“When he came to the club, with all the problems he’d had, it was probably the wrong club for him to come to, considering all the issues the club then had,” he said.
“He needed a bit more stability and help to guide him in the right direction.
“Now he is maturing on and off the pitch and that’s important.”
Parkinson’s praise was backed up by defender Andy Taylor, who reckons his presence up front could be key to staying out of trouble on the club’s return to the Championship.
“I thought he was excellent against Leeds and on his day Gaz can be whoever he wants to be,” he said.
“If we can keep him like that, nine times out of 10 we’ll be okay.
“He’s fantastic at holding it up, he worked hard, won flick-ons and he was unlucky with his effort he chested down and volleyed – that would have been a fantastic goal.
“Everyone knows what Gaz is about. Hopefully he keeps fit and keeps his confidence up and he’ll be a massive player for us this season.”
Madine has had to conqueror his fair share of demons during his footballing career but Taylor believes Parkinson’s calm influence is bringing the best out of the 26-year-old – and could eventually push him further up the Football League ladder.
“Most players would like an arm around them at some point, Gaz is no different,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what people are doing or saying to him at the moment, it’s working so hopefully that can carry on.
“If he goes and gets us 10-15 goals it will be a successful season. I also think if he does that he’ll have a few people knocking on his door from above.”
Parkinson has hinted at wholesale changes for tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup game at Crewe, and could give first starts to Will Buckley, Reece Burke and Adam Armstrong, who all impressed off the bench in the second half against Leeds.
“Will came on and gave us what we needed, someone to run in behind with the ball, to carry the ball, and he showed some real quality,” he said.
“He’s the same with Reece Burke, he’s got real quality on the ball and that added a dimension to the team.
“Adam is a confident lad and a very good footballer. He was behind in his preparation when he came in during pre-season but he’s getting sharper each day.”
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