The striker arrived at Bolton Wanderers on deadline day, around the same time Clough departed for Nottingham Forest.
That Bolton Wanderers are just four points adrift of the final automatic promotion place in League One is testament to manager Phil Parkinson’s ability to organise and drill a defensive unit. In 34 league games, the Trotters have conceded just 29 times.
However, while Bolton have comfortably the most watertight back line in the third tier, the reason why they are now nine points off the top is down to the problems at the other end of the park. They are without a win in four now and have hit the back of the net 18 times less than league leaders Sheffield United.
In fact, only Oxford United and Walsall have scored fewer in the top half. While the blame should not be forced upon misfiring January addition Adam Le Fondre, who is yet to score in seven appearances since signing on loan from Cardiff City, it’s difficult to look past the fact that the lower league specialist appeared doomed from the beginning at the Macron.
After all, Le Fondre is a player who relies on the service of those around him. He is a poacher of goals, not a striker capable of creating his own chances. In fact, he could have forged quite the potent partnership with Zach Clough – if only their nine goal top scorer had not been sold to Nottingham Forest on deadline day.
While the 21-year-old netted twice in a stunning 3-0 smashing of Brighton, Bolton were held to a drab home draw with AFC Wimbledon with the fans lamenting the decision to let the side’s main attacking threat leave midway through the season.
Clough’s intelligent link-play and vision has been badly missed since his exit, and Le Fondre is less an ideal replacement and more a suitable partner.
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