ANDREW Tutte knows what it takes to make it in the EFL – and Wanderers’ experienced head in the middle of the park likes what he sees from emerging talent George Thomason.

The former Longridge Town man is the find of the season, making seven appearances since returning from his loan spell at Bamber Bridge and scoring his first professional goal in the Boxing Day draw at Carlisle.

After being cast aside by Morecambe last season, Tutte has also been something of a revelation for Ian Evatt since his arrival at Wanderers, providing the base for Thomason and others to play.

But it is the 19-year-old’s arrival on the first-team scene that has caught everyone off-guard, the former Blackpool youngster looking right at home in the rough and tumble of League Two.

“He’s a talented boy, good to play alongside,” Tutte said.  

“He has been brought up the right way, good on the ball, and for a young lad he’s up here playing for the first team and he’s got no fear, he’s not scared at all.

“I think the kid has got a good career ahead of him.”

The pair could be key components if Wanderers are to head towards the right end of the League Two table at the start of 2021.

After a wildly inconsistent first part of the season they are six points above the bottom two with, at the time of writing, four games taking place in League Two on a blank weekend for the Whites.

Tutte is looking up though with eight points separating Wanderers in 16th and the final play-off position currently occupied by his former club the Shrimps.

“It’s mad, really, even when you look at the Premier League, all the tables seem to be like that,” the 30-year-old said.

“It’s good for us because we haven’t won too many games but we’re still in touch. You get two or three together and you feel like you can kick on.

“I’m confident we can get a run and challenge for promotion.

“The players believe it. As the gaffer has said, there are 25 games to go. It’s not like there are 10 and we’re needing other teams to get results. 

“There are a lot of points to play for so we need to get that good run and find some consistency.”

Bolton fans will hoping that starts on a long trip to Exeter on Tuesday night.

“They are always a good side but I haven’t really seen much of them this season,” Tutte said.

“At this level away from home you know it is going to be a battle when you go down there, and it’s a trek.

“We have to do our jobs right. We’ll be going down there to win the game and get ourselves back on track.”