Wednesday 5 November 2014 12:37, UK
Bolton manager Neil Lennon was pleasantly surprised by Craig Davies' performance up front in the 3-0 win over Cardiff on Tuesday night.
The Welshman was handed a start ahead of last season's top scorer Jermaine Beckford when the Bluebirds visited Macron Stadium, and his relentless running and fine hold-up play earned him a standing ovation from the home crowd when he was substituted with five minutes to go.
Davies had not made a great first impression with Lennon when he missed a penalty in his maiden game in charge at Birmingham, but the new manager has been won over by the forward since.
"Craig Davies had an outstanding performance at centre forward, I thought he was great," said Lennon.
"He was the fulcrum for a lot of good things we did.
"What he did do was surprise me with the quality of his performance. His first touch, his work-rate, his ability to bring people into the game, his ability to take us up the pitch.
"He got what he deserved which was a standing ovation. He's a player who works very hard at his game and deserves everything he gets.
"We've been delighted with his attitude since we came in. He's been patient and he got his rewards."
Davies' inclusion was not the only surprising name on Lennon's team-sheet on Tuesday.
Midfielder Josh Vela was chosen at right-back, ahead of fellow 20-year-old Oscar Threlkeld and performed admirably in a back four which kept its third clean sheet of the season, two of which have come under Lennon.
Expanding on what motivated the selection of Vela at full-back, Lennon explained: "He got the nod over Oscar because at this stage of their careers he's probably a little bit better on the ball, a little bit more cultured.
"Oscar's got better defensive qualities so that's why we pitched him in at Norwich, and he did well. But we felt being at home we needed a little bit more going forward and Josh certainly gave us that.
"I thought he was excellent and the two full-backs gave us a real platform to play - defensively and going forward."
