PLAYER RATINGS: Pewston 2-2 Bolton

HOW the players rated in Wanderers' 2-2 draw against Preston North End.

WANDERERS (4-3-3) 

BEN ALNWICK… 7
Came up with the goods in the second half when Robinson threatened to steal in at the far post and was otherwise sound. 

PAWEL OLKOWSKI…8
Swashbuckling performance from the Pole, who grabbed his first goal in English football and provided a constant threat down the right hand side. 

DAVID WHEATER…7.5 
Made it look easy. Once the problems of the first 20 minutes had passed, Wheater and Beevers were rarely troubled. Every tackle was cheered by the travelling support.

MARK BEEVERS…7.5
Like Wheater, didn’t put much of a foot wrong. Strong in the air and tough in the challenge, it’s no wonder there have been admiring glances from elsewhere. 

ANDY TAYLOR…7
Forced off with an injury in the second half but had been strong to that point after being restored to the team in favour of Jonathan Grounds. 

JASON LOWE…7
Perhaps a little slow to start but once he got to grips with Preston’s mobile midfield he was on song again. 

JOE WILLIAMS…7.5
Quite some debut for the Everton youngster, who looks quite ready to roll up his sleeves and scrap for some Championship points.

GARY O’NEIL…7.5
Lung-bursting effort from the 35-year-old midfielder who set the tempo in the middle of the park and wrestled control from the home side.

YANIC WILDSCHUT…5
Not the best day at the office for the Dutchman. A poor pass let Preston in for the first goal and a heavy touch cost a decent chance at the other end.

JOSH MAGENNIS…7
Worked hard and got little change from the referee. Could have had a tap in midway through the second half but for Davies’s clearance.

SAMMY AMEOBI…7
Toyed and teased the Preston defenders after a ragged start. Looked to run out of steam well before the end – but such a potent weapon on the break.

Subs: Noone 6, 61 (for Wildschut) – A threat down the left when he came on.
Grounds 74 (for Taylor) – Crucial touch moments after coming on to the field.

Not used: Vela, Oztumer, Donaldson, Hobbs, Matthews

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Fair enough although I think it's a bit harsh on Wildschut who worked really hard but was marked down because of the one bad pass - which still left them with a lot to do to get their opener - it's not as if other players didn't put a pass astray during the game. And I thought Ameobi played really well with him and Wildschut on the wings and Magennis up top offering enough threat to keep Preston honest. For once, Parky picked the team selection I would have made and I think the midfield 3 of Lowe, Williams and O'Neil has the potential to be an excellent core when they get to know each other properly. The team shape seemed a lot more balanced this week and for me that should be our default starting line up home and away as we now have enough talent in Noone, Vela, Oztumer, Doidge, Hobbs etc to switch things up if necessary. Don't have much confidence in Grounds though as yet. Olkowski on the other hand has been class so far. Not our best result, but that performance showed a resilience we lacked last season and if we keep it up we'll be fine this year. Feel sorry for Josh Vela but on that showing Williams is a class above - shame he's not ours.

We really should have dicked non-league Pewston. Parky out.