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Wanderers forward Max Clayton says new manager Neil Lennon has made him feel like a top player and he is determined to repay his faith with more goals.
The 20-year-old was originally signed by Lennon's predecessor Dougie Freedman and admits his departure left him wondering what the future held.
But Lennon has shown belief in the former Crewe man and reaffirmed his feeling that the move to the Macron Stadium is the best decision in his fledgling career.
Clayton said: "I always knew he (Freedman) liked me so when he phoned me and said he wanted me to come to Bolton I genuinely only wanted to go to one place.
“Dougie going soon after I got here wasn’t the best.
"But the new manager has come in and been fantastic with me too – he fills me with confidence and every game, every training session I look forward to.
“It’s a class feeling. To do it at a young age is great – and I’ve had some of the older pros take me under their wing, like Andy Hughes.
“Since I’ve been here the staff and players have been so good with me, and since the new manager came in he’s been fantastic.
"He’s made me feel like a top player.
"I had been a Crewe all my life and I owe a lot to them.
"But I just felt it was the right time to move on.
"When Bolton came calling, it has been the best decision I have ever made."
Clayton's Whites debut actually came a day after Freedman's departure against Bournemouth and he has since played five times.
And his growing confidence was boosted further when he marked his first start with a first swnior goal for the club to set Wanderers on the way to a 3-1 derby victory over Wigan last Friday.
After missing earlier chances in games, the England Under-19 international was relieved to break his duck.
And now Clayton, whose dad Paul was also a striker for Crewe, is looking to kick on after the international break.
He added: "It was a relief to score really. I had missed a couple in earlier games.
"To score and get the boys in the lead was a great feeling and it was a goal we obviously needed.
"I have great team-mates spurring me on every day.
“I was in a really good place to start the game against Wigan and do something for the team.
"All I want to do is get back out there now.
"I should have had goals already and I do need to be more clinical but whenever I get time on the pitch I’m looking to improve.
"“I don’t really know what position is my best – I don’t think the gaffer does either.
“I’m comfortable anywhere on the pitch and as long as I’m in there, I don’t really care, I feel I can contribute.”
Clayton was originally drafted in by Freedman earmarked as one for the future.
But Lennon has decided the time is right for the youngster to make an impact at Championship level.
And Wanderers vice captain Matt Mills says his performances have shown he is ready.
Mills told The Bolton News: "Max is a great kid. He’s got a really bright future.
"We drive in together, a little car school, and have good chats on the way into training.
“He’s got his head screwed on. He knows where he’s going in his career.
“He’s very confident in the right way, there isn’t a bit of arrogance about him.
"It’s a focus of where he wants to get to and I believe he’s at a club where he can really develop."
If Friday's night display was anything to go by, there are certainly positive signs Clayton can reach his 'Max' potential at the Macron Stadium.
Source
The 20-year-old was originally signed by Lennon's predecessor Dougie Freedman and admits his departure left him wondering what the future held.
But Lennon has shown belief in the former Crewe man and reaffirmed his feeling that the move to the Macron Stadium is the best decision in his fledgling career.
Clayton said: "I always knew he (Freedman) liked me so when he phoned me and said he wanted me to come to Bolton I genuinely only wanted to go to one place.
“Dougie going soon after I got here wasn’t the best.
"But the new manager has come in and been fantastic with me too – he fills me with confidence and every game, every training session I look forward to.
“It’s a class feeling. To do it at a young age is great – and I’ve had some of the older pros take me under their wing, like Andy Hughes.
“Since I’ve been here the staff and players have been so good with me, and since the new manager came in he’s been fantastic.
"He’s made me feel like a top player.
"I had been a Crewe all my life and I owe a lot to them.
"But I just felt it was the right time to move on.
"When Bolton came calling, it has been the best decision I have ever made."
Clayton's Whites debut actually came a day after Freedman's departure against Bournemouth and he has since played five times.
And his growing confidence was boosted further when he marked his first start with a first swnior goal for the club to set Wanderers on the way to a 3-1 derby victory over Wigan last Friday.
After missing earlier chances in games, the England Under-19 international was relieved to break his duck.
And now Clayton, whose dad Paul was also a striker for Crewe, is looking to kick on after the international break.
He added: "It was a relief to score really. I had missed a couple in earlier games.
"To score and get the boys in the lead was a great feeling and it was a goal we obviously needed.
"I have great team-mates spurring me on every day.
“I was in a really good place to start the game against Wigan and do something for the team.
"All I want to do is get back out there now.
"I should have had goals already and I do need to be more clinical but whenever I get time on the pitch I’m looking to improve.
"“I don’t really know what position is my best – I don’t think the gaffer does either.
“I’m comfortable anywhere on the pitch and as long as I’m in there, I don’t really care, I feel I can contribute.”
Clayton was originally drafted in by Freedman earmarked as one for the future.
But Lennon has decided the time is right for the youngster to make an impact at Championship level.
And Wanderers vice captain Matt Mills says his performances have shown he is ready.
Mills told The Bolton News: "Max is a great kid. He’s got a really bright future.
"We drive in together, a little car school, and have good chats on the way into training.
“He’s got his head screwed on. He knows where he’s going in his career.
“He’s very confident in the right way, there isn’t a bit of arrogance about him.
"It’s a focus of where he wants to get to and I believe he’s at a club where he can really develop."
If Friday's night display was anything to go by, there are certainly positive signs Clayton can reach his 'Max' potential at the Macron Stadium.
Source