League One Centre-back of the Season: Mark Beevers

Eager Beevers

The quality provided by Mark Beevers is evidenced not just by Bolton Wanderers’ performances with the centre-back, but also by Millwall’s early struggles without him.

Beevers was central to the Lions’ promotion push last term. He made 53 appearances in all competitions, helping them to eight clean sheets from late February onwards. His performance against Bradford in the play-offs caught the eye of Phil Parkinson, who promptly signed the 27-year-old after becoming Bolton Wanderers manager.

It may be no surprise therefore, that Millwall leaked goals in the first five months of this campaign, struggling to find his replacement. They did so only when Shaun Hutchinson returned from injury and later Jake Cooper joined on loan.

Meanwhile, Bolton have kept 12 clean sheets, conceding once on 18 occassions and have never shipped more than two goals in one game. Imperious in the air, Beevers has been a rock at the heart of the defence and already a favourite with supporters.

Beevers has contributed not only in his own box but also in that of the opposition, scoring three league goals in his last four. As well as the crucial second goal at Oxford last night and the team’s third at Gillingham, he also netted in a 4-2 win in the promotion clash at Fleetwood.

His individual tally of five goals is beaten only by four players including David Wheater, with whom he has formed the best centre-back pairing in the division.