Bolton Wanderers delivered an impressive performance as they defeated Championship side Watford in a pre-season friendly.
Ian Evatt took his side to Watford's London Colney training ground yesterday afternoon for their fifth test of pre-season ahead of the League One season starting on July 30. Wanderers had played Wigan Athletic on Saturday before taking on the Hornets, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.
The Whites went ahead thanks to Kieran Lee's early strike, which Dapo Afolayan added to before the break with a sublime finish to double Bolton's advantage. It is Bolton's third victory of pre-season and a very encouraging performance against Championship opposition and a 2-0 victory.
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Here, we analyse the game from a Wanderers perspective and pick out five positives from a very encouraging afternoon's work for the Whites ahead of the new League One campaign starting on July 30 on the road against Ipswich Town.
Afolayan in a strike partnership role again
Afolayan had been used in a number 10 role in pre-season so far. It is a position the former West Ham United youngster is still learning after being switched there in the second half of last season.
That change was made thanks to the striking reinforcements brought in January by Wanderers. Dion Charles and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson often occupy the centre forward roles for the Whites, as well as Amadou Bakayoko.
But Afolayan lined up alongside Charles in a strike partnership yesterday versus the Hornets. It is one he has performed before and he was rewarded with a goal for his efforts.
Where last season's top scorer lines up on the pitch for Wanderers remains an intriguing question for the upcoming campaign. But this was more food for thought and illustrated an area where Afolayan can have an impact.
Santos back to his best
Wanderers skipper Ricardo Santos had perhaps not quite hit the heights one assoicates with a player of his calibre so far this season heading into the clash against the Hornets.
The Bolton skipper missed the tail end of last season with a hamstring injury. It was an issue that kept him out of the last five matches of last season.
Pre-season has perhaps seen the Wanderers captain build up his fitness following an injury and he had not quite hit the ultra high standards we have become accustomed to seeing from him so far in pre-season as he regains his match sharpness. But that unquestionably changed against the Hornets.
This was a Santos back to his best with a performance many have become used to seeing from the Wanderers skipper over the past two seasons in League Two and now League One. The skipper was vocal and organised his team mates, made challenges when he needed to, was reliable in possssion and was not really beaten by the Hornets.
Consider that was against a side in the Premier League last season and it shows how big a performance it was. The Wanderers skipper is back and fully fit at the top of his game and the clash against the Hornets was evidence of that.
Dixon continues to impress
Joel Dixon has impressed so far in pre-season for Wanderers as he battles with James Trafford for the number one jersey. He had made some eye catching saves in particular in the clashes against Stockport County and Wigan Athletic.
Like with much of his team so far in pre-season, Evatt has changed players during matches in all areas of his squad and this has included in the goalkeeping department. Against the Hornets, however, Dixon was the only player to play every minute.
After a quiet first half, he made two fantastic saves to deny Ismaila Sarr from close range, a player who has been linked with moves to West Ham United and Newcastle United among others. The stopper was also good with his distribution out from the back, a key attribute for Evatt's side in a goalkeeper.
Dixon was dropped in January and Trafford came in as Wanderers experienced an upturn in form. So far in pre-season, Dixon is taking his chances and proving he will be big competition for Trafford this season and this will only benefit both players and the club.
Most impressive pre-season win so far and vs Championship opposition
Wanderers have now played five pre-season friendlies so far ahead of the start of the new League One season. They began with an impressive 9-0 win as they blew Longridge Town away.
A 3-1 win over Chorley followed, which was dominated by a poor pitch and the Whites having an underwhelming first half performance. The 2-2 draw against Stockport County showed a clear step-up in the standard of opposition.
A 1-0 loss over Wigan Athletic was the story of two penalty kicks - one the Latics converted and one Wanderers didn't - in a game the hosts were the more dominant outfit in. Watford were a Premier League team last season and Wanderers played them yesterday.
And the Whites produced unquestionably their best performance so far in pre-season with an exciting display against a Championship side, creating chances which they took, being reliable in possession and limiting the Hornets to opportunities. It was a marker laid down in terms of performance standards and on they will hope to replicate moving forwards and build upon.
Williams impressive in central midfield
MJ Williams is the only recognised out and out holding midfielder in Evatt's squad. Andrew Tutte, perhaps his closest comparison in the position at the club, is now a player-coach in the club's B team set-up.
But though he is the one who typically adds some bite into Bolton's engine room, he is so much more than that. He has the ability to pull the strings and has an eye for a pass.
And that was demonstrated fully with his assist for Bolton's second goal. Having received the ball from Will Aimson, he picked up a sublime ball round the corner which bypassed the Watford midfield and defence for Afolayan to finish.
It was a moment of sheer quality. It is more clear evidence of what Williams offers this Wanderers team and the key role he plays.#
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