PARKINSON WILD ABOUT HIS YANIC Bolton boss full of pride at team
PHIL Parkinson praised the tenacity of his Bolton Wanderers players after they secured an impressive victory at West Bromwich Albion.
Yanic Wildschut, who was making his debut following his arrival on-loan from Norwich City, struck in the 89th minute after David Wheater had headed a Josh Vela corner goalwards.
Bolton had earlier made the perfect start when Josh Magennis, who was making his bow after a £200,000 move from Charlton, gave them an 18th minute lead when he headed home a cross from Sammy Ameobi.
Albion dragged themselves back on to level terms when on-loan Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes let fly with a curling 25 yard left foot drive only to then be undone at the death by Wildschut.
Parkinson said: “It was always going to be a tough game but I thought that we were excellent.
“We set ourselves out in a very disciplined way and everyone did their job for the team.
“I was worried that West Brom would be lifted by their goal, but credit to our boys, they kept going and we got our rewards in the end with a terrific finish from Yanic Wildschut.
“We always felt that we could give West Brom problems and we stressed to the lads before the game that we were not coming to sit back and soak up pressure.
“When we attacked, we looked dangerous.
“Josh Magennis had a terrific game, ran his socks off and our supporters have taken to him already.
“He gave everything for the shirt. The goal was a bonus and he can build on that.”
Bolton’s spirit stood out and they didn’t look like a squad that went on strike in a wage dispute earlier this summer and Parkinson added: “The strike thing was blown out of proportion. They are very good set of lads.
“The lads’ attitude in pre-season was brilliant even though we had that blip along the way.”
It was a tough introduction to life in the Championship for relegated Albion and their new manager Darren Moore. He was disappointed with conceding two goals from setpieces but praised the way his side and Bolton played.
Moore said: “I take nothing away from Bolton.
“When teams come here and play that system, it is very difficult. It is a game plan and there is nothing wrong with that.
“We have to find ways of breaking that down.
“Our possession and quality was there. It is getting the knowhow right.
“It is difficult when you have a team unit like that getting men behind the ball.
“The disappointing thing for us was conceding from two set-plays. You are never happy to do that. But generally, in the main we dominated even though it doesn’t mean anything. But there are lots of positives to pick out of it.
“This division is horses for courses. There are a lot of bumps and turns on this road.
“It all about the knowhow. We got in good positions. What we have to do is work is the finer details of those positions.”
Meanwhile, Moore was tight lipped on speculation linking Albion striker Salomon Rondon with Newcastle United.
He added: “Any speculation is speculation. Any facts, you will be the first to know.”