Bolt explains refusal to name names

ONE of Usain Bolt’s major issues is one few others experience.

Most triallists sit on the fringes of things, and no one even knows their name. For Bolt the reverse is true.

Connor Pain knew who Bolt was the minute he arrived at the Mariners, likewise Jake McGing, Josh McDonald… the whole squad in fact.

A remarkably diffident character away from the spotlight, it has by contrast taken Bolt a little time to remember who exactly is who.

The litmus test for how far he has come will be tonight’s pre-season game with a South West Sydney XI at Campbelltown Stadium, Bolt’s first start as he seeks to earn a more permanent place in the Mariners dressing room.

Some colleagues have been easier to remember than others: Kalifa Cisse was nursing a hamstring injury when Bolt arrived and the two quickly became close in the gym as Bolt began his new fitness regime.

Corey Gameiro has stood on no ceremony whatsoever on the training pitch, offering a stream of directions to a grateful Olympic champion trying to find his feet in football.

In a sport where triallists are usually regarded with deep suspicion, Bolt is in a unique position.

“It’s been good, I’ve really had no problem with the guys,” Bolt said.

“I’m still trying to figure out everybody’s name, but I’m getting there day by day.

“We’re interacting much more and we hang out. That’s been good, and they point stuff out to me – like if I’m trying to square the ball they’ll say if you’re trying to put it in with a curve, put it in towards the keeper because it curves away.

“They teach me little things, the movement off the ball. I can feel it’s getting better, day by day I can feel a difference.”

Mariners coach Mike Mulvey ex- plained why he felt Bolt had escaped being marginalised.

“He allowed us to develop our squad underneath the radar, with the all the attention on him, and he wasn’t an immediate threat to any of the players here in terms of their positions.”

Nonetheless, even Bolt understands he needs to earn the trust and respect of his teammates as a player.

“No one wants to tackle back because you’ve lost the ball. I think that’s the main thing I’m working towards, to get the trust of the players.”

Tonight’s match, at Campbelltown Stadium, will be shown live on Fox Sports at 7.30pm.