Home
Wanderers boss Ian Evatt admits Dapo Afolayan’s performance against Gillingham has left him considering whether to play him in a central role more often.
Afolayan usually plays on the left wing in the Whites’ system but played in the Number 10 role in the second half against the Gills.
The tactical change paid off when the former Chelsea youngster found the top corner with a fine strike from the edge of the box with five minutes to go.
Evatt insists Afolayan has the ability to be successful in a central role and says it is where he can “really affect the game".
“I think Dapo could be an excellent number 10 and it’s something that we’ve spoken about a lot,” said the Bolton boss.
“I think the six and two eights has been positive for us, but if we need to go to the double pivot and a 10 then Dapo is an excellent number 10.
“The way that Dapo plays out wide is that he’s always drifting inside into pockets of space into half spaces and then looking to thread passes or dribble and drive and shoot, so as a number 10, he can really affect the game from that position.
“Obviously defensively sometimes you need someone, a third midfield player, to have that responsibility but the way the game was (against Gillingham), I thought it worked really well.”
Wanderers’ are a light in numbers in the Number 10 role following Antoni Sarcevic’s shock move to Stockport County, while Ali Crawford is still out on loan in the Scottish Premier League with St Johnstone.
Afolayan has made a strong start to the season, having already found the net eight times in all competitions.
Evatt has hinted he could play the former Chelsea youngster centrally in the coming weeks and months, and also believes he could play as a lone striker.
However, the Bolton boss insists the Whites’ overall approach will stay the same despite tactical tweaks.
“Possibly, I think so. We can make tactical decisions and the philosophy will always remain the same,” he added.
“We want to dominate the ball, we want to build through teams, but we can make tactical changes to put Dapo in as a number 10, I think he could probably play as a nine.
“Good players you find can pretty much play everywhere. Dapo is a very good footballer.”
Source
