Bolton Wanderers Half Season Review - Player-by-Player - The Midfield

Welcome to Part 2 of our half-season review of Bolton Wanderers players.

Part 1 dealt with the defence, and so here are my thoughts with regards to the midfielders:

Tom Thorpe - 7

Another funny one - despite looking like every single knobhead barman I've ever come across in my life, I think I really like Tom Thorpe.

The former Manchester United man is versatile, but seems to have found his niche sitting alongside Jay Spearing in shielding the defence. Comfortable on the ball and a threat at corners, his deal should be made permanent in early January and I am fully fine with that.

Josh Vela - 9

From a slow start to a sprint, Vela, along with Zach Clough and Mark Beevers can lay claim to being one of our most important players.

Since Phil Parkinson moved him to an advanced attacking role, Vela has been a revelation both in front of goal and in terms of his performances. I just hope that we can keep hold of him when Wigan Athletic come calling next week.

Chris Taylor - 6

A disappointment. The former Blackburn Rovers winger arrived with a modest reputation but on the back of several under-par performances he has been officially written off by the fans.

There's still time, but there's a whiff of Liam Feeney about him.

Jay Spearing - 9

Another hero of the revolution, Spearing has returned from his exile at Ewood Park and resumed the captaincy and his place in the team with the sort of grit and determination that you would expect of him.

Our captain, leader and inspiration.

Mark Davies - n/a

Another injury.

His contract and therefore his Bolton career is up at the end of the season. Thanks for the memories.

Liam Trotter - 6

Another one who will be disappointed with his contribution thus far.

I think that Trotter could still have a part to play in this Bolton team but he really does need to be more consistent - he could take a leaf out of Vela's book in knuckling down and grasping the nettle.

Darren Pratley - n/a

I think Pratley's return could be well-timed for him, but bad for Chris Taylor.

Whilst he works back to full fitness and finds his place in the side, I think Taylor's role as first sub will go to D-Pratz instead. Versatility is useful, and he has that on his side.

Sammy Ameobi - 8

A somewhat divisive player, but one that I think is hugely important and most importantly fun to watch.

All the criticisms about 'on his day' etc are valid, but these miss the point. Ameobi is what football is all about - unpredictable madness mixed with joyous abandon.

If you don't like Ameobi then you are, to me, an enemy of football.

James Henry - 6

A disappointment thus far based upon expectations.

He's a fine player and has proved it at higher levels than this and so I do expect that he will come good. I think that we the fans need to be a bit more patient with players of obvious talent - look how it worked with Sammy.

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There you go.

A review of our midfield.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know below the line.