HIS number held high by the fourth official signalling the end of an impressive home debut, Saturday’s walk down the wing to a standing ovation was one Mason Burstow was happy to take.
The young striker has made his feelings perfectly clear since arriving on loan from Hull City: He is here to contest the number nine spot. He wants to be front and centre in Steven Schumacher’s attack after a few years reluctantly being used in wider positions.
But as Burstow absorbed the rapturous applause walking around the perimeter of the pitch 20 minutes before the end of a 2-0 win against Plymouth Argyle, he was reminded why he picked Bolton to be the club where he got his career flying again.
“There’s no better feeling than looking up and seeing the joy you have put on people’s faces,” he told The Bolton News. “It was one of those – I’d have jogged over to the bench and sat down because that’s what my legs wanted to do. But to walk off and get that from the fans, it’s such a massive club, it’s why I’m here.”
Burstow has hardly been in the wilderness this last couple of years – he has played 50 games on loan at Sunderland and for his parent club Hull in the Championship, albeit in a position he feels did not showcase his ability.
Getting in the sort of goalscoring position he did against Plymouth has proven difficult, and so his goal on Saturday was his first since December.
Burstow hopes, however, that with more opportunities as a centre forward, Bolton’s wingers will give him chance to celebrate plenty more.
“This is a really big year for me,” he said, “I’ve had some really unfortunate times at previous clubs.
“I need to play as a number nine, I need to bounce back and score goals.
“It’s one of those seasons where I won’t let up. I am going to make the most of this loan.
“Obviously I signed a long deal at Hull, and I want them to do well. The club deserves a lot more and so do the players, it’s a good group of lads.
“Don't get me wrong, it wasn't an easy decision coming out on loan, but it's one of the things I need to do for my career to kick-start it again and get on the score sheet and get my name back out there. I wish them all the best for the year but sometimes you have got to look after yourself.
“I did play 25 games, roughly, for Hull in the Championship last year, but it wasn't in my position - so then you get judged on different things. The important message for me this year is to play in my position, get minutes in my position and showcase myself that way.
“So, obviously coming to Bolton made it easy, because Bolton is such a big club, the ambition is high. The manager wants to play with wingers and so one of the early messages I got to them was that I’m going to be in the middle of the sticks. That’s where I’ll be.
“If you cross it and I'm not there, that's my fault. I'm going to make sure that I am there.”
Amario Cozier-Duberry created Burstow’s goal against Plymouth and the same pair combined a few moments later, with a header that flew just over the bar.
Getting off the mark for his new club so soon was a big moment for the 22-year-old, who had been frustrated the week before at Stockport.
“A lot of the feeling is relief,” he smiled. “It's one of those things, you do get judged as a striker on goals, and especially when you're on loan, you need to perform straight away.
“There's no room for error. To score that goal today is a relief and gives us confidence going into the next one.”
Settling at Bolton has been made easier for Burstow thanks to the presence of two of his former Chelsea team-mates.
Xavier Simons and Teddy Sharman-Lowe both came through the Stamford Bridge system at the time he was recruited from Charlton Athletic as a teenager.
And with blue blood now running through the middle of Schumacher’s side, Burstow believes the connections can help Wanderers to success this season.
“Teddy and Xav helped me settle right away,” he said. “You have the conversations with them before coming into a club like this. You suss out a bit of the backgrounds and stuff.
“When you come to a club it’s good to have someone who can show you about the place, make the introductions, it’s definitely helpful.
“And we know each other’s game that bit better. That’s why I think those early conversations you have at clubs are really important.
“I spoke to the wingers right away, I spoke to John (McAtee) and to Joel (Randall), and told them what I like to do, where they can find me.
“Whether they've taken it in or not, I don’t know. I've told them and it's imprinted in their brains. For example, the goal. I've told (Cozier-Duberry) we're going to be in between the sticks and he's crossed it the first time. It comes off and it's a lovely feeling.”
Burstow felt the positive power of 20,000-plus supporters at the weekend but he is also well aware that the fanbase also has a certain amount of expectation. Thankfully, he seems to share the widespread promotion target.
“This is by no means a League One team or club,” he said.
“With a stadium like this, a fanbase like this, we need to be putting on good performances and getting results.
“I know they've had really tough years recently and hopefully this year we can turn it around.
“The club wants to be promoted, and I want this to be a good year.
“You saw there, this is a strong squad. We made five changes and maybe people question that, but we put on a strong performance and got the result.
“I think we can put out any 11 and be competitive.”
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