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Phil Parkinson believes Jack Hobbs’ pedigree is starting to shine through at Wanderers.
After forcing his way into the team at Ipswich Town the centre-back has retained his place, keeping first-team mainstay Mark Beevers at bay.
He recovered from an early error at Stoke to put in another solid display in midweek – putting him in a good position to start his first Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow evening.
Hobbs had endured two years of injury problems at his previous club Nottingham Forest, playing just 15 games at the City Ground during that time.
And though concerns were raised when Bolton snapped him up on a free transfer in the summer, Parkinson believes the 30-year-old is now starting to show why he has played the vast majority of his career in the top two divisions with the likes of Liverpool, Leicester City and Hull City.
“There’s always that calculated risk when you sign any player but when you add Jack’s ability to his character, he has been a good addition to us so far,” he told The Bolton News.
“Jack has done really well since he came into the team but I am sure he’ll be the first to say this has got to be the start for him.”
Parkinson has been particularly struck by Hobbs’ impact on the training ground, even before he forced his way into the starting line-up.
“Even when Jack was out of the team he was immense,” he said. “I’ve said many times it’s absolutely key that players who are out of the team have the right attitude and intensity in training and that’s exactly what he did.
“We have now got four good centre-halves competing for those places.
“Jack came in and has put in some good performances, he will be keen to keep his place, but he is an excellent professional who does everything right.
“He gives himself the best chance to prepare for games.
“When you haven’t played for a while and you can pick up the pace quickly, that is purely down to your training levels during the week.”
Assistant boss Steve Parkin has also been impressed by Hobbs since his arrival in the summer.
“When we brought him in we knew his pedigree in this division was really good,” he said.
“Yes, he’d been unfortunate with a few injury problems over the past couple of seasons, but we knew he was an outstanding character and an outstanding lad.
“He works hard to keep himself fit, bided his time, and while he’s been out of the team he has been great.
“Now he’s in there, he has had a couple of outstanding displays.”
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After forcing his way into the team at Ipswich Town the centre-back has retained his place, keeping first-team mainstay Mark Beevers at bay.
He recovered from an early error at Stoke to put in another solid display in midweek – putting him in a good position to start his first Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow evening.
Hobbs had endured two years of injury problems at his previous club Nottingham Forest, playing just 15 games at the City Ground during that time.
And though concerns were raised when Bolton snapped him up on a free transfer in the summer, Parkinson believes the 30-year-old is now starting to show why he has played the vast majority of his career in the top two divisions with the likes of Liverpool, Leicester City and Hull City.
“There’s always that calculated risk when you sign any player but when you add Jack’s ability to his character, he has been a good addition to us so far,” he told The Bolton News.
“Jack has done really well since he came into the team but I am sure he’ll be the first to say this has got to be the start for him.”
Parkinson has been particularly struck by Hobbs’ impact on the training ground, even before he forced his way into the starting line-up.
“Even when Jack was out of the team he was immense,” he said. “I’ve said many times it’s absolutely key that players who are out of the team have the right attitude and intensity in training and that’s exactly what he did.
“We have now got four good centre-halves competing for those places.
“Jack came in and has put in some good performances, he will be keen to keep his place, but he is an excellent professional who does everything right.
“He gives himself the best chance to prepare for games.
“When you haven’t played for a while and you can pick up the pace quickly, that is purely down to your training levels during the week.”
Assistant boss Steve Parkin has also been impressed by Hobbs since his arrival in the summer.
“When we brought him in we knew his pedigree in this division was really good,” he said.
“Yes, he’d been unfortunate with a few injury problems over the past couple of seasons, but we knew he was an outstanding character and an outstanding lad.
“He works hard to keep himself fit, bided his time, and while he’s been out of the team he has been great.
“Now he’s in there, he has had a couple of outstanding displays.”
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