Connor Hall "too similar" to Adam Le Fondre, says Bolton boss

Wanderers are seeking inspiration for tomorrow’s crunch clash with Barnsley – but it seems unlikely Phil Parkinson will gamble on young goal-getter Connor Hall.

Pressure on the Whites boss to fast-track the former Sheffield United striker into his first team plans has grown to fever pitch after the youngster became the first player ever to hit 20 goals in the new Under-23s league structure.

Hall’s performances for David Lee’s side have caught Parkinson’s eye but thus far his only senior appearance was a five-minute cameo against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup.

Answering a suggestion that the 20-year-old could inject some life into a struggling side, Parkinson explained: “Connor is unlucky he hasn’t had more time on the bench.

“The problem is that I can’t see him up front with Adam Le Fondre.

“I don’t see it as a partnership. They are too similar.

“I know Connor is a bit bigger, stronger, but he is a similar style of player.”

Parkinson is also well aware of the problems faced two years ago when Wanderers slumped out of the Championship.

Neil Lennon’s exit and the crippling financial problems left caretaker boss Jimmy Phillips with little option but to blood academy-based players in the pressurised first-team environment.

Parkinson believes selecting the likes of Hall or Jeff King at this stage of the season could be detrimental to their progress.

“You also have to be careful because two years ago when Bolton came down there was a whole host of young players like Tom Walker, Niall Maher, Tyler Garratt, others, all got pushed into the team and the manager at the time was probably being asked the same question – should you go and play the youngsters?

“I watched a lot of those games. The players weren’t ready and the team got exposed.

“It is a fair question because the likes of Connor and Jeff King have done well but this is a tough, tough league and you have to make sure the players are ready.”

Parkinson does need to find a spark from somewhere at Oakwell, having revolved his squad constantly in recent weeks looking for the “right balance” and a change in results.

That with four games to go the Bolton boss is unsure of his best side is cause for concern among Whites fans – but he has vowed to keep searching.

“We went with more experience at the back against Millwall, whereas at the weekend at Derby we had more legs – Antonee (Robinson) and Mark (Little) in the full-back positions, and Reece.

“Getting that balance in all departments has been hard but we will keep on trying. We need to sustain a performance over 90 minutes. And absollutely everyone needs to take responsibility.”

Source

Fuck off Parky, we are in the shit, at least have Hall on the bench as an alternative 

Norpig wrote:Fuck off Parky, we are in the shit, at least have Hall on the bench as an alternative 

I thought the same.

I think that has got to be the biggest load of bullshit I've read since Doffcocker's last post.

Parky wrote: wrote:Answering a suggestion that the 20-year-old could inject some life into a struggling side, Parkinson explained: “Connor is unlucky he hasn’t had more time on the bench.

“The problem is that I can’t see him up front with Adam Le Fondre.

“I don’t see it as a partnership. They are too similar.

“I know Connor is a bit bigger, stronger, but he is a similar style of player.”

So you have a "similar style of player" to the guy who was voted player of the month? A player who is scoring for fun at his level? How is that a reason for leaving him out? 
Could it be that playing two quality strikers would mean changing the system to a more attacking formation and occasionally playing it on the ground?
Or has Parky never heard of 442?


And does he know Obasi, Obasi, Obasi?

We all know Parky doesn't have an attacking bone in his body and it will cost us in the end. You can't win games by hoping for a 1-0 win every week especially when we can't defend anyway.

He’s scores goals at u23 level. Different story in the first team against quality players. Obasi would be the better option

Boggersbelief wrote:He’s scores goals at u23 level. Different story in the first team against quality players. Obasi would be the better option

But we don’t know until we try, he might take to it like a duck to water

People don’t seem to realise that even Wilbraham would score for fun at U23 level

BoltonTillIDie wrote:

Boggersbelief wrote:He’s scores goals at u23 level. Different story in the first team against quality players. Obasi would be the better option

But we don’t know until we try, he might take to it like a duck to water

But is it worth risking him when the more likely outcome would be that he’d struggle and lose confidence? 

I mean you’ve gotta be desperate to throw a kid into a relegation battle. I’d sooner save him for league one next year should the worst case happen.

If he doesn't get a chance though he'll leave and we'll never know! Is he out of contract at the end of the season does anyone know?

looks like he's out of contract this summer and you can guarantee other clubs will be willing to take a risk on him so why not us? We all know the reason - Parky 

I'd certainly be giving Obasi some game time. We don't know what he can do,but neither do Barnsley.
He's played at quite a high level,and has to be worth a go.
The predictable dross we're serving up at the moment will take us down,so start thinking outside the box Parky.

Parky will never think outside the box.