The Bolton Wanderers verdict on Blackpool's new defender and what can be expected from him following West Brom move

The wing-back has joined the Seasiders on a three-year deal - with an option for an additional 12 months also included in his contract.

After coming through West Brom’s youth ranks, the 21-year-old’s move to Bloomfield Road for an undisclosed fee brings his 15-year association with the Baggies to an end.

Ashworth spent last season on loan with Bolton Wanderers, during which time he scored three goals and provided three assists in 23 outings under former Blackpool defender Ian Evatt.

We asked The Bolton News’ Marc Iles more about his defender’s stint at the Toughsheet Community Stadium and how he fared in League One:

-What type of player is he and what can be expected of him on the left side?  

Zac primarily played as a left wing-back but can also play in central midfield. He’s comfortable on the ball, had good athleticism, chipped in with a few goals, and generally did well in the games he played for Bolton.

He isn’t the most dynamic, attacking option, perhaps, and the way Ian Evatt prefers his wing-backs to work, that meant Randell Williams and Nat Ogbeta got in front of him from January onwards.

He also had some unfortunate timing with injuries, which left him playing catch up quite a bit for the first few months of the season.  

-How did he perform as a wing-back and could he also be suited to a back three role?  

I thought he had a great attitude, had a bit of fire about him and didn’t stand for any nonsense from opposing players. Whether he has the physicality to play at centre-half, I am unsure, but he was decent in the air and is still young, so you can’t rule it out. 

-What did Bolton fans think of him on the whole?  

General consensus was positive. I think they appreciated his graft, saw he was a good technical player and he didn’t let anyone down when he was played. He also spoke well after games and had an appreciation for the level of football he was playing.  

-Did he do enough last season to suggest he could play the majority of games in League One?  

Provided he stays fit. He got a calf injury early on in the season whilst playing for Wales Under-21s, if I recall right, and that meant he missed a lot of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy group games, where he might have got himself on a roll.

He got going again after Christmas and had a really strong January and early February but after a poor performance at Bloomfield Road, he was essentially jettisoned for Ogbeta, who had joined on loan from Swansea.  

-Why did Bolton opt not to bring him back on a permanent deal?  

I just don’t think he was the type of wing-back they typically require. A fee had been agreed with West Brom and, personally, I wonder whether it would have been met if the club had gone into the Championship and been able to buy more into his potential.

Either way, I think Bolton will be trying to get a more attack minded wing-back this summer. 

-Will Bolton fans be disappointed he’s gone to another League One team?  

I don’t think there is any real animosity there. Zac did a decent job when he was called into the team, gave Bolton a couple of great moments with a cracking goal at Carlisle and another one at home against Barnsley. Generally, they will wish him well. 

-What do you think we can expect from Ashworth long-term?  

It will be interesting to see if he can mature physically and handle the rough and tumble of League One on a weekly basis.

Technically, he has no issues whatsoever, but as we all know, there are some real style shifts from one week to another in this division and despite his pedigree, he will have to learn to deal with it.