Coyle Pleased To Have Mears Back

[Manny]

Wasn't too thrilled by his signing and he wasn't great on Saturday, but then again who was?! Hopefully he'll win us over in time as he's sure to get better as he gets more games.

Not easy coming into a team that's stuck at the bottom.

Owen Coyle has admitted the return of Tyrone Mears was a welcome boost, despite Bolton losing 2-0 at Norwich on Saturday.

With Gretar Steinsson and Joe Riley ruled out through injury, Mears finally made his Wanderers debut at Carrow Road after six months out with a broken leg.

Despite the poor result in Norfolk, Coyle believes the inclusion of Mears in the his starting eleven will only boost the club's fortunes for the rest of the season.

"It's great to have Tyrone back," Coyle said. "He sustained a broken leg in the summer and he's worked hard to get back to a good level now.

"Gretar Steinsson had a hamstring injury and Joe Riley has hurt his groin and had to miss out so Tyrone came in.

"He's played three or four reserve matches and a couple of behind-closed-doors games, but it's playing in the Barclays Premier League that really brings you on and he'll improve because of the outing today.

"If there is a positive to come out of the game it's having Tyrone back."

http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/news/coyle_pleased_to_have_mears_back_2225

[Jimbo]

I like Mears, he's a decent full-back.

Interesting that Steinsson has stepped his game up - he normally does when he has something to prove then falls back into his lull of error prone crap, it's nice to know we've got a competant replacement if Steinsson does that.

[largehat]

Ill judge him on his perfomances over the coming months, it's going to be interesting to see if he keeps his place if Steinsson is fit on Saturday - he was in good form before the hamstring thing, as was Riley for that matter.

[christyldesley]

I agree with the above. You've got to judge him on a series of games rather than just one.

Although, will he get a a good run of games. Riley should be back for the Wigan game and Steinsson could be in contention. Surely he's got to be our third choice right back, he his in my eyes anyway.

Don't know if he can play anywhere else.

[RustyMcHayes]

I thought he was biz on Saturday, let's hope he drastically improves in the next few games.

[Manny]

My reason for not being too happy with him on Saturday was his reluctance to get forward. He wasn't really tested too much defensively but when we were crying out for somebody to make a run down the right flank, he was stuck on the halfway line with his hands on his waist.

Mears and Eagles didn't work too well together but as I said in the opening post, he (they) will get better over time. I know it takes time to settle after so long without a game.

To comment on Chris' post, I think we could do worse than send Riley out on loan. He's shown he can handle this level but he isn't an automatic choice. With the performances he's shown so far, maybe a team high in the Championship would be interested.

If Steinsson and/or Mears get injured, then call him back. At least then he'll have probably played a few games together instead of the odd one here and there.

[azreal88]

I think that's a fair criticism of Mears' performance, Manny; but perhaps it's explicable.  He's probably not match fit yet, so making swashbuckling runs, with no other right back option on the bench, would probably not have been wise.

As to Riley - he does need to be playing regularly.  A loan may be a good option.

[largehat]

I can see the rationale of sending Riley on loan but I would want the option to recall him at short notice. It doesn't sit that well with me that our academy finally produces a player good enough to make the first team squad after all these years and we don't get the immediate benefit.

[GarethWilliams]

I think that's a fair criticism of Mears' performance, Manny; but perhaps it's explicable.  He's probably not match fit yet, so making swashbuckling runs, with no other right back option on the bench, would probably not have been wise.

As to Riley - he does need to be playing regularly.  A loan may be a good option.

If he wasn't match fit then surley Riley should have been given the nod.

[DaveBWFC]

If he wasn't match fit then surley Riley should have been given the nod.

Didn't Riley have a slight injury too? Sure I read that somewhere.

As for sending him out on loan I disagree. He needs to be kept around our first team for the rest of the season in my opinion. He could be first choice next season.

[Manny]

Didn't Riley have a slight injury too? Sure I read that somewhere.

Slight groin injury. Nothing major and could be back for the Wigan game. I'd expect him to play in the FA Cup next weekend.