Player Ratings: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Sheffield United

That's right, ladies and gents: I'm back with another analysis article on Saturday's game. No messing around this time, so let's just get straight into it. Here's your player ratings.

Mark Howard - 8

Solid performance from the former Blades man. I'm not sure why he's starting ahead of Amos (not that I'm against the idea), but one can only assume it's because he expressed a desire to line up against the club that released him earlier in summer and prove his worth. Didn't really put a foot wrong all game, although he didn't have a great deal to do in terms of shot stopping. Good keeper. Makes me happy.

Lewis Buxton - 5

I'd say a five is generous. He looked shaky, nervous on the ball and just not really match fit. I'm not sure if it was his lack of sharpness that made him look so poor or the fact he couldn't stop staring at Lawrie Wilson's luscious locks in front of him. Who knows. Hopefully he'll improve because, by all accounts, he's a very good player at this level.

David Wheater - 9

Outstanding from start to finish. I've had people slating him in a few comments on my other articles but they're a gang of knobheads anyway. I'm so happy he's resigned for us. What a man.

Mark Baevers - 10

Literally didn't put a foot wrong all afternoon. If you want a more in-depth analysis of his performance you can read my Five Things or Man Of The Match articles. In a nutshell: He's sick. (That's the good kind of sick for you oldies, he's not got a cold)

Dean Moxey - 6

Six could be a bit harsh but he too looked a little rusty at times. I like our Dean and think he's a brilliant full back so hopefully it's just that lack of match sharpness showing through. Didn't get forward anywhere near as much as he has done in previous seasons but we'll put that down to the gaffer's defensive mentality/gameplan.

Chris Taylor - 6

Worked hard but didn't really have much end product. Hooked shortly after the second half began which I thought was a bit of a weird one, but there you go. It was nice to have some actual width for once.

Josh Vela - 5

Had a strong(ish) first 20 minutes, chasing the ball all over the place and getting forward to support big Gary Madine but in all honesty he was pretty poor after that. He sort of, well, disappeared. I think his best position is at right back but obviously Parky doesn't share the same thought. Hopefully he can hold down his starting place and pick up some form as the season goes on.

Jay Spearing - 8

Scored a belting goal and ran himself into the ground but still committed a few mistakes here and there. If you've watched the highlights on the club's YouTube channel you'll see that after some smart work by Beevers and Moxey, we cleared our lines by playing out from the back. Spearing picked up the ball just outside the area and tried a little turn, was robbed of possession and Sheffield United nearly scored. He also picked up a daft booking for hacking someone down to stop a counter attack after he gave the ball away. We know that's part of his game, but he's going to be integral to us getting out of this division so we need him on the pitch for as long as possible, not suspended.

Darren Pratley - 7

Mediocre performance from El Capitano. A few flicks and tricks here and there plus a great header which was kept out by an outstanding save, but other than that he did his job, I'd say - nothing more. He’s now out for 8-10 weeks with a fractured leg after “hearing a crack” when he went down in the 80th minute. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Lawrie Wilson - 5

He’s just not a wide man, it’s as simple as that. I said in my Five Things piece and I’ll say it again: I’m not sure he’s even a footballer. There for extra defensive cover (which he managed to do, just) but I can’t see him playing every game under Parky.

Gary Madine - 7

It was a tough shift for my mate Gaz on Saturday; up top on his own against two very strong centre halves. After a bit of flailing around and attempting to earn us free kicks in his usual “give us a decision or I’ll bang you out, ref” manner, he actually grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and did some decent donkey work. He was never going to get into a scoring position playing as the focal point of the team, but I thought he did well enough. Commendable performance.

Mark Davies (on for Chris Taylor) - 6

Did okay but nothing spectacular. Playing out on the left of a five-man midfield so he wasn’t in the game much. If we’re going to bring him on and expect him to have an impact, he needs to play in the attacking midfield role.

Jamie Proctor (on for Gary Madine) - 6

Again, did what was asked of him but didn’t have long enough to make an impact. I’d like to see him starting with a creative player in a 4-4-2; he might get more chances that way.

Liam Trotter (on for Jay Spearing) - 0.5

Genuinely one of the worst players we’ve ever had. Lacking in pace, desire and general ability, I’d sooner see Ben Amos play in midfield before him. Dreadful, dreadful footballer.

Do you disagree with any of my ratings? Let me know in the comments below.