A few Bolton fans said that in the few games he played that hr looked decent. Said they wanted to see more of him, but I think that when a new manager (meson?) took over that he didn't feature. I would say his biggest problem wad his fitness- he looked very heavy legged from kick off. As the game wore on and he seemed to limber up(odd, I know), his passing improved and he started to hassle them a tad more. He needs games, but I too think he is very different to Stephens and Hollands in terms of getting around the pitch. He looked like a midfielder who prefers to sit, and play the ball. Will this work in league one? Time will tell.
If fit and motivated he should be a star at Div One level. He is no great age (31) and no danger of him being bullied by the likes of Notts County and Sheff Wed like Stephens was. I call his position "quarterback" in that he works a space in a deep position and launches long (and hopefully accurate) passes to hit the front men. This is not a particularly taxing position so he should have at least three good years in him at Div One and Championship levels. Of course he also breaks forward from time to time and should be good for three or four goals a season (probably including one or two screamers). Well, that all sounds hunky-dory but how to get him fit? No Div One team would touch him with a bargepole on Wednesday's performance and I cannot see him being happy to play in Div Two or Non-League. We just have to hope he can gradually improve in the occasional "development match" but that could be a slow process. I fear he may turn out to be another Astafjevs or Bagheri, quality players who never really got out of our reserves.
Did Bagheri get into our reserves? There was an interview with Mikel in one of the programs in which he came across as a very intelligent man, so hopefully he will be quite realistic about his situation. In spite of his poor display last night I'd say CP was right to keep him on for 90 minutes(I left after 45). Winning was not a priority, otherwise he'd not have given Doc 90 minutes and to take off Stephens for Euell was like conceding the game. But Mikel's touch seemed to get slightly better, so maybe the problem is match-fitness rather than fitness, and the only way to solve this is to shove him in at the deep end, and give him some decent game time. Risky though. Maybe in a 4-5-1?
Thought he was carrying a few extra pounds & was shocking in the first half. 2nd half he did get better made a few decent passes. Shame the reserves don't play regular football to give him a chance to get match fit. CP's league strategy of not changing a winning team could come back to haunt him if he gets a run of injuries or suspensions, something which must surely happen to us. Then he will have to bring in a replacement, who at best has had a bit of time on the subs bench. Alonso could be good in this league but not if he does not get to play full games. FHB, why leave after one half, if your going to make the effort to go to the match (good on you for that), why leave early, it was only ever going to be a reserves run out & although poor, plenty to learn from. We are still top of the league.
he needs time settle,dont forget he arived end of pre season then he had injury at carshalton!with no reserve lge what people expect from him this is his first game back from injury he was with bolton give him 2 months he be ok i reckon
is that for work FHB do you regularly get upp at 4.15 I get up at 4.45 every morning best time of the day.
By the sound of your description, he's a similar player to Tom Huddlestone, or to a lesser extent Michael Carrick, players that run midfield, but aren't box to box or aggressive tacklers?
I'm glad to hear some praise of his actual ability, despite his struggles he made 3 or 4 of the best passes we've seen this season. He also kept the ball close to his body, basic skill that British players dont bother with. This was basically his 1st preseason game really. I think he'll do well, he can be our bench option over the waste of wages that is Andy Hughes and Gary Docherty, they drop our team down 3 levels on their own, I haven't seen Hughes in a position he's good at yet.
There is no way he is match fit, so no-one should be getting on his case. I know he wasn't great last night but thats what i'm putting last nights performance down to anyway. His brother is obviously a far better player but Mikel must have some of that ability and he must be a lot better than last nights showing. Hughes and Doherty were the major concerns for me.
He'll be ok - just needs more games under his belt Wiggins has improved week by week after an average start to the season, so think Alonso will do the same
The problem is getting those games under his belt, as for players outside the 1st 11, it's difficult getting much meaningful match time.
Strange the only injuries so far have been to reserves (Green Alonso, Pritchard Evina). Bound to change.
