Name: Dean Moxey
Squad Number: 3
Position: Defender
Joined: Wednesday 2nd July 2014
Contract Expires: July 2017

Bolton Wanderers' seventh signing of the summer, Dean William Moxey began his career at his hometown club Exeter City after many of their senior players left following their relegation from the Football Leauge.
Having quickly established himself as first choice Left Back, he went on to make 176 appearances for the Grecians.
In January 2011, after a two year spell with Derby County, they accepted a bid of £400,000 from then Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman. During his time at Selhurst Park, Moxey made 103 appearances, 20 of which were in the Premier Leauge after helping the club reach promotion in the 12/13 season.

After being released by Tony Pulis' Crystal Palace at the end of the 13/14 season, Dougie Freedman moved quickly to reunite with his former defender, after spending the majority of the previous campaign without a recognised left back after an injury ruled Marc Tierney out.
On Wednesday 2nd July, Wanderers confirmed the signing of the 28 year old on a three year deal. A move that many thought was a good one, due to his proven experience at Championship level with both Derby and Palace. Moxey will wear the shirt number 3, respectively.

Having played in all but one of Wanderers pre-season fixtures, it looks as though Moxey will be our first choice left back ahead of injury struck Marc Tierney and upcoming youngster Oscar Threlkeld, who replaced Moxey on a couple of occasions during pre season.

I watched him myself yesterday during our uninspiring defeat to Vitesse and I was impressed by Moxey.
He looked a solid member of the squad who got stuck into tackles and looked comfortable on the ball. He was calm and composed when called upon, which will no doubt ease some of the fans worries about the position.

I did notice however that he wasn't too keen to get himself down the wings to support Neil Danns, choosing to remain in his own half, which would suggest he isn't the attacking full back player we saw in Tim Ream and Marcos Alonso.
Lacking in his ability to get forward and create chances could be seen as a disadvantage by some, but it could also mean that we see our defense look a lot more solid. Which could only be a positive.

Even though we lost, it was only due to a well struck free kick from the Dutch side in an otherwise dull affair. The defensive display was decent, with few lapses in concentration and good communication along the back line.

From our pre season campaign, Dougie seems to have provided us with a few hints as to how the defense will take shape against the opening game at Watford.
I believe his first choice back four will be Mcnaughton, Mills, Ream, Moxey, which I think is pretty solid. Providing this combination works at Watford, it will provide some much needed stability to what has been one of the weakest areas of a squad that conceded 60 goals last time out.

Overall, Moxey comes across as a solid left back who is proven in the Championship and will be our first choice for the forseeable future until Marc Tierney returns from injury to provide some competition.
He is a player Wanderers needed, and will benefit the team in their push for promotion this season.

Although if our lackluster strike force continue to suffer, rumour has it that Moxey apparently has the ability to play up front...