MOTM: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Oxford United - Liam Bridcutt

What an incredible display. After all the talk about how it would take a few games to get up to speed and how it would take time to gel as a squad, we just blew all of that out the water with a heroic display that was only missing the goal to top it all off. If that’s the kind of display we have to look forward to in future from this squad, then I’m convinced we’ll be a threat to anyone in this league from now on. Every single player who went out there that night deserves some plaudits.

But let’s be honest, one lad was a class above everyone else.

Liam Bridcutt was absolutely sensational. Seemingly our new captain, keeping the armband despite the presence of Lowe, he wore that title with pride and displayed the qualities you beg for in a captain. He was commanding, projecting his voice constantly, shouting at his teammates to get in positions or give him/others the ball when he/they were in space. While others certain did that as well, he was significantly louder and more authoritative in his approach.

He was resolute in defence, making some excellent crunching tackles and running all over the show to cover his teammates when they were in trouble. In attack, his passing was accurate and threatening, the standout one being his long ball to Will Buckley, who beat the offside-trap, only to agonisingly watch his shot hit the bar.

His presence also seemed to bring the best out of those around him with Hobbs looking much more comfortable passing to feet and Jason Lowe surprisingly being a fairly threatening force going forward. He handles the responsibility of captaincy with such ease and Keith Hill looks to have pulled off a real coup to recruit him.

For the love of God Forest, please let us keep him beyond January.