Player in Focus: Liam Feeney

It's fair to say that the reaction of most Bolton Wanderers supporters when news broke of Millwall winger Liam Feeney's arrival at the club on loan on 27^th September was muted, indifferent and in the case of the usual uneducated Facebook crowd - hostile.

However, since his debut as a second half substitute against Yeovil Town, Feeney has quickly become an important member of the first team as well as something of a favourite amongst the notoriously fickle Wanderers fanbase.

Feeney has benefitted from the atrocious form of the usual right-wing first pick, Chung Yong Lee, who has been going through his worst slump since arriving at the club. Feeney's willingness to take on his man and to whip in some fantastic crosses has directly led to two goals already - his cross against Yeovil was put back into play from Row B of the North Stand by Zat Knight, whilst it was his deflected cross in the win against Birmingham City which gave Wanderers that crucial second goal.

His willingness to put in the hard yards is something that his predecessor, unfortunately, seemed unwilling or unable to do. It is the simple act of hard graft that has endeared Feeney to Wanderers fans and with the player's Millwall contract running out at the end of this season it is very much a chance for him to be in the shop window and earn himself a move.

That Bolton have players such as Feeney on our books is a reflection of our new reality. To have players who see Bolton Wanderers as an opportunity to enhance and develop their careers can only be a good thing for us, as the ‘better' players (such as LCY), let's face it, haven't cut the mustard.

Feeney's desire to do the dirty work has lightened the load on another new signing this season, former Blackpool captain Alex Baptiste who has been targeted by some as a weak link - much in the way that Gretar Steinsson and Tyrone Mears have before - the common denominator here is the man in front of the right back. When Owen Coyle deigned to play Mark Davies on the right of midfield, the lack of cover to the full back was apparent from day one. As many qualities as the likes of Davies and LCY have - defensive nous is not one of them.

Feeney is here for three months, if he continues as he has started then I would bank on that loan being extended - and with his Millwall deal running out at the end of the season then a free transfer to the Reebok would be most welcome by all.