We look at former academy graduate Max Clayton and how this is a big season for him
When Max Clayton left Crewe in 2014, many fans were not bothered about him leaving. This would seem strange, as only a year beforehand he was a fan`s favourite, having scored in the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy final win of 2013.
But at the time he left many felt he was not offering much to the team. The tougher, more physical opponents in League One meant he struggled, failing to beat a man regularly. His goal record of 9 goals in 74 games is not what was expected from a player who at one point was rated more highly than Nick Powell.
Clayton made his Bolton debut in October, but in December he suffered the first of his injuries, which have blighted his Bolton career to date. A serious knee injury, which required surgery, kept him out for nine months. He returned in September 2015, saying he was “faster, stronger and heavier” than he was previously. But it was not long before he suffered another injury.
Clayton tore his hamstring just two months later in a game against Brentford, which meant the former Alex man would be out for a further four months. When you add these two injuries to the broken ankle he suffered whilst at Crewe in 2013, Clayton has found it very difficult to stay free from injury in recent years.
Hopefully Clayton can get regular football this season. He has worked hard to become physically stronger since at Bolton so the physicality of the lower leagues should no longer be a problem. His goal record does not look good and it definitely needs to improve. With Bolton`s relegation last season it looks likely that Clayton will get a chance. And he really needs to take it.
There is no doubt that he has the ability. He just needs to fulfill it. If he can stay injury free I think that he will score the goals to send Bolton back up to the Championship. He is still young and at some point in his career there could be lower Premier League clubs signing the Crewe academy graduate.