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Phil Parkinson went back to a winning formula at Millwall – and was pleased with the results.
The Wanderers boss switched to a 4-3-3 formation, used in the opening weeks of the season, and played Marc Wilson in central midfield for the first time.
Although two points slipped through the net at The Den, Parkinson was encouraged by the number of chances his midfield created.
“I think we can take great heart from the way we played,” he told The Bolton News. “Considering the way things have been recently I think it was a step forward even though we’re disappointed not to have held on to all three points.
“We went with the 4-3-3, with Marc Wilson, who did great. He has played there before and it’s a system which won at West Brom, won at Reading, got a 2-2 at Preston – some of our best performances. It gives two of the three midfielders license to break forward and they were excellent.
“Lowe was very unlucky not to have one or two goals. We created chances, even in the second half when the tide was against us a bit.”
On his decision to put Wilson into midfield, Parkinson added: “I didn’t want to go to a back three but I felt we needed some more height in there. Marc is also a good passer of the ball, he can play. He’s not just in there as a centre-half.”
Parkinson had called for his players to make a fresh start after the international break and though it did not all go according to plan against Millwall, he was happy with the response.
“I think there was an edge about our play,” he said. “When you come to Millwall you have to be strong, you have to deal with the physical side of the game and we did that.
“They put you under a lot of pressure but we stood strong and I’m genuinely proud of the performance.
“We need to take that into Tuesday night at Sheffield Wednesday now. That’s the way the Championship is, it’s relentless, so we have to kick on.”
Source
The Wanderers boss switched to a 4-3-3 formation, used in the opening weeks of the season, and played Marc Wilson in central midfield for the first time.
Although two points slipped through the net at The Den, Parkinson was encouraged by the number of chances his midfield created.
“I think we can take great heart from the way we played,” he told The Bolton News. “Considering the way things have been recently I think it was a step forward even though we’re disappointed not to have held on to all three points.
“We went with the 4-3-3, with Marc Wilson, who did great. He has played there before and it’s a system which won at West Brom, won at Reading, got a 2-2 at Preston – some of our best performances. It gives two of the three midfielders license to break forward and they were excellent.
“Lowe was very unlucky not to have one or two goals. We created chances, even in the second half when the tide was against us a bit.”
On his decision to put Wilson into midfield, Parkinson added: “I didn’t want to go to a back three but I felt we needed some more height in there. Marc is also a good passer of the ball, he can play. He’s not just in there as a centre-half.”
Parkinson had called for his players to make a fresh start after the international break and though it did not all go according to plan against Millwall, he was happy with the response.
“I think there was an edge about our play,” he said. “When you come to Millwall you have to be strong, you have to deal with the physical side of the game and we did that.
“They put you under a lot of pressure but we stood strong and I’m genuinely proud of the performance.
“We need to take that into Tuesday night at Sheffield Wednesday now. That’s the way the Championship is, it’s relentless, so we have to kick on.”
Source
