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PHIL Parkinson feels Jon Flanagan is starting to show why Wanderers brought him in on loan from Liverpool.
The full-back has featured in four of the Whites’ last five games, and is yet to finish up on the losing side.
Some questions were asked when Parkinson brought the 25-year-old to the Macron in January, given Mark Little and Fil Morais’ consistency on the right side of defence prior to his arrival.
But after switching to a four-man defence in the second half at in the 0-0 draw at Norwich City the Bolton boss says Flanagan has come into his own.
“He has looked a level above at times,” Parkinson told The Bolton News. “We put him into the team when we went back to a back four.
“I think he could do a job as a wing-back but he’s not as dynamic as a Mark Little or Fil Morais.
“Since he has been in the team he’s been excellent. He has come on from playing back-to-back games and training well, and that’s why we brought him in from Liverpool.”
Anfield youth product Flanagan has the option of a one-year extension to his Liverpool contract at the end of the season but could yet fund himself a free agent in the summer.
Parkinson is focussed only on his importance to Wanderers’ run-in.
“I haven’t thought about next season but he’s a class act,” he said.
“He epitomises the kind of player who relishes the challenge we are faced with.
“He’s played at Premier League level, like Andy Taylor, and they are both absolutely the types we need at the moment.”
Flanagan sat out for five games as his match fitness improved, and also turned out for David Lee’s Under-23s, but is now feeling comfortable at Wanderers after forcing his way into the team.
“I’m four games into my Bolton career now and yet to lose, which is nice,” he said. “But that’s definitely not down to me – it’s a team effort and we’ve got a great spirit among the boys which I think everyone can see.
“We’re up for the fight and determined to keep putting in performances and picking up points.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/16104752.whites-defender-flanagan-showing-he-is-a-class-act/?ref=mr&lp=4
The full-back has featured in four of the Whites’ last five games, and is yet to finish up on the losing side.
Some questions were asked when Parkinson brought the 25-year-old to the Macron in January, given Mark Little and Fil Morais’ consistency on the right side of defence prior to his arrival.
But after switching to a four-man defence in the second half at in the 0-0 draw at Norwich City the Bolton boss says Flanagan has come into his own.
“He has looked a level above at times,” Parkinson told The Bolton News. “We put him into the team when we went back to a back four.
“I think he could do a job as a wing-back but he’s not as dynamic as a Mark Little or Fil Morais.
“Since he has been in the team he’s been excellent. He has come on from playing back-to-back games and training well, and that’s why we brought him in from Liverpool.”
Anfield youth product Flanagan has the option of a one-year extension to his Liverpool contract at the end of the season but could yet fund himself a free agent in the summer.
Parkinson is focussed only on his importance to Wanderers’ run-in.
“I haven’t thought about next season but he’s a class act,” he said.
“He epitomises the kind of player who relishes the challenge we are faced with.
“He’s played at Premier League level, like Andy Taylor, and they are both absolutely the types we need at the moment.”
Flanagan sat out for five games as his match fitness improved, and also turned out for David Lee’s Under-23s, but is now feeling comfortable at Wanderers after forcing his way into the team.
“I’m four games into my Bolton career now and yet to lose, which is nice,” he said. “But that’s definitely not down to me – it’s a team effort and we’ve got a great spirit among the boys which I think everyone can see.
“We’re up for the fight and determined to keep putting in performances and picking up points.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/16104752.whites-defender-flanagan-showing-he-is-a-class-act/?ref=mr&lp=4