Chris Forino has named fellow defender Cyrus Christie as a key dressing room figure for Bolton Wanderers ahead of their crunch fixture against Plymouth Argyle.
The Pilgrims have been resurgent as of late to become top six contenders, and with Bolton still looking to hold firm onto third place in the League One table and secure a home second leg in the playoffs, focus has turned to the battle between the Argyle forwards and the Trotters’ back line.
Forino Positive Despite Recent Struggles
Heading into the contest against Tom Cleverley’s side at Home Park, some focus has gone towards Bolton’s performances at the back, having conceded six times in their last five League One matches.
Their last game prior to their international break due to the game against Stevenage being postponed was a shock loss to bottom side Port Vale, which saw the Bolton defence struggle to handle their Vale Park opponents.
That, combined with a draw to strugglers Rotherham United and a close shave against Wycombe Wanderers have seen Steven Schumacher’s side fall well behind Lincoln City in terms of having the fewest goals conceded ahead of facing two dangerous forwards in Plymouth’s Bim Pepple and Lorent Tolaj.
When interviewed by the Bolton News, Forino said:
“We have got three or four different set-ups that I think work. I think the unit has been well-oiled and though I am not a massive fan of stats, they are there to back it up this season.
“It’s a bit of a fluid system but I think that’s great. Being able to call on multiple different options, ways of building and breaking down the opposition’s press to carry through the thirds is really important.
Christie Named As Leader
The former Wycombe man also highlighted Irish veteran Cyrus Christie as a key presence in the Trotters’ dressing room, with the 33-year-old still in his debut campaign at the Toughsheet Community Stadium after arriving in September as a free agent.
Stepping up as a second-choice right back following the exit of Josh Dacres-Cogley to Stockport County, the former Swansea City player was picked out by Forino for his skills in training.
“He’s a great guy, on or off the pitch. He is good to chat to, speak to about all sorts of things.
“I often go to him and seek advice as well, and words of wisdom, so to speak, about things around the training ground. Of course, his career speaks for itself. He’s played at the very top and you can see why.
“He’s one of the last to leave every day. He’s doing bits on his day off to keep himself in shape.
“It’s no surprise to me he’s had the career he’s had because he is a great professional.”
Leaders Needed In Run-In
With there being very fine margins in the League One playoff race, having key leadership figures to look up to is pivotal to keep a side focused on its aims.
For Bolton Wanderers, it seems that it is Cyrus Christie who has embraced that mantle in addition to other players like Josh Sheehan, with his experience at the top of the game very helpful to lean on.
Acting as a backup for Jordi Osei-Tutu, the former Hull City and Coventry City defender has been a solid reliever when called upon and his flexibility at both full-back and in the middle of the pitch could prove vital when Steven Schumacher changes his tactical shape for key fixtures.
While his long-term future at the club is still in the air with the arrival of Lewis Temple in January and the uncertainty of which division Wanderers find themselves in next season, keeping the 33-year-old around could be a wise choice to continue in a leadership position.
However, if the Trotters decide to move on, then plenty of League One sides looking for a stalwart at the back could certainly use someone of Christie’s quality after proving he still has a lot to give on the pitch.
