ALI Crawford can now see the logic behind Wanderers cancelling their League One clash with Doncaster last month.

The Scot was in the Rovers squad preparing for a game at Bolton on August 19 when it was postponed over welfare concerns for the young players in a squad then managed by Phil Parkinson.

It was argued by Wanderers that Under-18s and 23s players which had been drafted into the first team should not play three games in 10 days, as per guidelines set down by the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan.

Doncaster and the EFL took a dim view of the late cancellation – and though Bolton have indicated that they intend to rearrange the game, they may yet face punishment from an independent disciplinary commission.

Crawford’s allegiances changed on transfer deadline day, and his opinion has also softened on whether Wanderers were within their rights not to play the game.

“Being a Doncaster player at the time I can’t say I was that happy about it but when you settle down and look at what Bolton had in their squad at the time, you can’t have those kids playing three games in a week,” he said.

“They are decent players but anyone of that age needs a guiding hand to help them through.

“I’d like to think the experience will be good for them and I’m excited to see what they can do now.”

Crawford has made a good start to life in the North West, helping Wanderers go unbeaten in their last two games – something that had not yet happened in 2019.

There remains a 15 point gap to Saturday’s opponents Portsmouth, who hover just above the relegation zone but the former Hamilton man is refusing to panic.

“I don’t think we can really look at the league table right now,” he said.

“Personally, if I am playing football and the team is playing well, then I’m happy.

“Everybody wants points as quickly as you can but we have to recognise what is being built here and the fact we’re on a tough run of fixtures this month. We have to be positive and look forward.”