A GREAT number of pundits have extolled the virtues of Wanderers’ centre-back lynchpins, summer signing Mark Beevers and David Wheater, who has been in resurgent form this term.

But while he is clearly – and understandably –settled on his central duo, Phil Parkinson has been lauding the men who generally attract lesser interest on the defensive flanks.

While full-back Lawrie Wilson is not normally talked about in the same breath as the prolific goal-getters, towering stoppers or midfield driving forces, his contribution to the cause does not go unnoticed by his peers, or his boss.

“Lawrie is playing and training well and his communication in the back four has been excellent,” said Parkinson.

“Getting players who are good talkers is hard to find these days and we’ve got a few.

“Even when Lawrie wasn’t in the team his attitude was very, very good.

“What you find when you train so well and you’re not in the team but so supportive of the rest of the group, you earn a lot of respect from your team-mates. I think that’s what you see with Lawrie – he’s very well respected. He’s come in and got better with each game.”

Bolton’s position as the division’s best-performing defence faces something of a test over the next few months, with Ben Alnwick coming in for the injured Mark Howard in goal.

But, providing each man does his job effectively, the manager feels confident they can put two straight losses behind them at Millwall’s expense.

“Full-back, defensively, is about being in the right position at the right time, getting yourself in the right place when the crosses start flying in.

“Lawrie, and Andy Taylor, have taken up some really good positions of late and we keep reminding them, that’s their bread and butter. That’s what has to be done well.

“For me, the title of defender, the clue is in the name – you have to be good at defending.

“But obviously you need to contribute going forward as well and to do that you need to be very fit, and those two are right up there in their levels.”