Bolton Wanderers boss praise for 'calm' guy Cyrus Christie

That’s the view of Steven Schumacher, who believes the former Middlesbrough, Fulham and Derby County defender’s experience will become a crucial asset as the season progresses.

Christie started consecutive league games for only the second time this season when he lined-up in the 2-1 win against Exeter City and has started 10 games overall since his move to the Toughsheet in the summer.

Schumacher has been pleased with his input so far and says his impact on team-mates is equally valuable.

“He adds a certain level of quality, first and foremost,” said the Wanderers boss. “As well as his experience he adds some good quality.

“The set pieces that he has put in over the last few games have been really good, his deliveries into the box. I think back to Mason (Burstow)’s goal that he set up and a couple of the chances he created in the Bradford game more recently, just that added composure in the final third.

“He adds that and then his experience of what ‘good’ looks like, I think is important. He's been in the Premier League and understands what good standards are, what good training standards look like.

“He is a really calm character as well so when we're probably having a bit of a bad moment, I don't think he'll get too flustered, so having somebody like him is important.”

Wanderers go to Wycombe on Saturday before back-to-back home games against Rotherham United on Boxing Day and Mansfield Town on December 29.

Last weekend’s visit of Exeter City was not without its frustrations but Schumacher believes his players are drawing confidence from the consistency they have found on home soil.

“We had talked about playing on the front foot, playing with energy, playing with quality at this stadium,” he said. “Using the crowd, if they stay with us, to our advantage.

“We have had to wear teams down. Every team is coming here with a similar gameplan. They have tried to nullify us, quieten the crowd, defend deep.

“So, we have to find a way to counteract that. Getting the first goal helps. Not giving the first goal away, like we did (against Exeter), and against Lincoln, is an issue.

“But the form has been good, we didn't lose our focus.

“We stuck to the plan, which was great, and we won the game in the end, which was obviously the focus.”