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Adam le Fondre scored two goals against Millwall FC at the Macron Stadium and Bolton Wanderers' beleaguered defense kept a clean sheet to get manager Neil Lennon another home win. But I want to focus on youth. Specifically the youth of the side that got that win.
Most notable, yet again, is Josh Vela. Vela is still being played out of position at right back, but he is doing a job there. At the end of the season, if we tally up all of the clean sheets and overall good defensive performances, I would wager that Vela will be involved with most of them.
The full debut of young Tom Walker is notable, as it it another academy graduate that Lennon has brought through to the senior team. Walker played well, and almost got a goal for his trouble. These three points put Bolton in a safe enough position, relegation-wise, that I think Lennon can really experiment for the rest of the season. Filip Twardzik was back on the bench today, and I think we will see more of him in the coming weeks.
Rob Hall was also on the bench today. A lot of people (some who write for this very site) don't like Rob Hall. I don't think we have seen enough of him to make a judgment either way. A decision will have to be made on Hall this summer though. Neil Lennon is going to give him one more chance before the season is over. Whether that chance is one start, a couple of starts in a row, or a few appearances off the bench, that will determine if he stays or goes.
Another interesting one to watch could be goalkeeper Ben Amos. Originally an emergency loan in January, he ha been impressive in his six matches, and may see out the season as Wanderers first choice. He obviously has no future at Manchester United, and with both Andy Lonergan and Adam Bogdan out-of-contract in the summer, a permanent deal could be in the works.
20-year-old forwards Max Clayton and Zach Clough will be expected to contribute next season as well. It was a nice three points today, but I am more interested in the club's future, and we may get a sneak preview of that in the coming weeks.