m&m wrote:1-0 up and the home fans very agitated after 20 mins it couldn't be any better.
Instead of seizing the initiative and going at them what do we do? Simply hand the game to them
By padding the ball between our back 5 whilst looking very disinterested.
We deserved what we got today. Whitney should have made at least 2 changes at half time but once again failed to respond to a situation.
Baka had a mare and needs a break/ Flo ran sideways and the wing backs didn't get forward.
After 5 mins Bolton were there for the taking but we made it easy for them today.
Great following that deserved more.
Parkinson 1 JW 0.
Sorry John but don’t you remember the embarrassment of Bradford City away last season? Hoof ball crosses big blokes pushing and shoving and a weak referee? He sees we play 3 at the back and rely on Jase and Joe to push on and create so he makes sure that his set up counteracts that style.
Well at least we didn’t have Bambi at Centre Back this time but come on.
Wasn’t there an opportunity to have Laird on the left side with his nous and defending ability and then have the two CB’s centrally?
Sorry John but substitutes can be used before xx minutes to change a game. We know you learnt from the master of poor substitution (Deano) but does it really take the 900 fans telling you to substitute before doing something?
What were you thinking bringing Randall on and subbing Edwards? He came on and stood on the wing expecting something to come to his feet instead of getting involved and once Edwards departed Bolton had a free run at our left side and O’Connell. What about Morris?
If you can’t see that Baka was having another mare and O’Connell was struggling then you are in the wrong job. Some clever early subs could well have turned that game as Bolton were at best ordinary and (as big clubs do) thought it was all over at half time.
The little magician did one of his wonderful party tricks again (where would we be without him) and then you hear their crowd getting angry as we initially stopped them coming forward by closing them down well up the pitch. Another 20 minutes of that would have been interesting to see.
But no. A high ball a soft header 1-1. Someone on the post would have helped.
A cross from our left side (no marking) hits JOC. 2-1. Unlucky.
Some pushing and shoving from Bolton (the referee blind to all of that all match) a speculative shot flies into the net. 3-1. Half time and Bolton look ordinary but in charge.
They sat back in the second half whilst we played some football but primarily across the pitch until
late on when Osborne decided to get involved and (thankfully) Jackson started to at least pull their CB’s around at last and Jase got forward.
Pluses and minuses. Chambo worked hard as usual. Flo saw a lot of the ball but never goes forward and never even thinks about a shot. Oz is a little master and also works his socks off.
Baka. Extremely poor. No idea and looks like a big schoolboy picked for the first time. He is modelling himself on Ngoo and is playing at least 3 Divisions higher than his ability. Ama when you make an appearance on Saddlers TV (looking half asleep) and say your ambition is to be at Man Utd you make yourself look foolish. The only chance you have on that score is flipping burgers in the cafe at the Stretford End.
O’Connell looked edgy and nervous most of the game.
Etheridge is a great shot stopper but there it ends. His lack of ability to control the box whilst flapping and doing star jumps has caused the defence to get panicky when crosses come in and this has been the case for many matches not just this one. He obviously isn’t going to sign a contract so let’s see CM instead and let NE sit on the bench. This is the same story as O’Donnell.