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You don’t have to have an eccentric side to play in goal – but it helps.
Since signing from Manchester City on loan last month, teenage keeper James Trafford has proved a big hit with the fans, keeping five clean sheets in the club’s rise up the League One table.
Ian Evatt reckons the England youth international has blossomed since arriving at the UniBol and his unique personality has made him a popular member of the Bolton dressing room.
“He’s a fantastic young keeper and a great character,” said the Whites boss. “We’re calling him ‘Mini Gillo’ at the moment!
“He’s improving his personality. Goalkeepers have to be nuts, the good ones I’ve always seen and played with were all bonkers.
“You have to be bonkers to get a ball booted at you from a young age and enjoy it, but he’s solid, he’s a good character and we’re delighted to have him.”
Trafford has had comparisons to goalkeeper coach – and one of last season’s promotion heroes – Matt Gilks, making a positive impact since taking over the number one spot from Joel Dixon.
He made an important save early on against Lincoln City in Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory but has generally been tasked with keeping things organised, with Bolton giving little away at the back.
Evatt would be happy to see his young loan keeper stay out of the headlines for the time being as his game develops away from the luxuries of the Premier League.
“The sign of a good goalkeeper is someone you don’t really notice and we’re not over noticing him or what he’s doing,” he said. “If he’s making brilliant saves relentlessly then there’s something one with the defence and if he’s making mistakes, there’s something wrong with him. At the moment he tends to be doing neither, which is great.”
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