SwissBlade
Well-Known Member
I try to watch games objectively and if I felt that they dominated I’d like to think I’d say it as it is. As the away side you expect to have less possession, you’re not as adventurous as perhaps you are at home. Its one of those things. So perhaps you accept a lesser performance as your expectations are lower.
Last night was one of those ugly games: devoid of quality, at least from half time. We started with a number of changes, debuts and a player returning from Suspension.
The first half was ok, it started scrappy and we probably started to take hold of the game, retain possession better after the initial first 10-15 mins. We dominated as much as we could, the midfield 3 being particularly comfortable.
I thought that Leon seemed to be getting battered a lot, they were doing a job on him and Billy. So credit to Bolton for that. However, I felt that Leon seemed to be leaving himself in there to be clattered, it was weird to see.
We clearly ended the first half on top and Bolton had to do something.
Bolton were much better second half, doesn’t mean that they were good, but they played a game to stifle ours. It became a scrap and some firm, but fair tackles, some cynical ones – from both sides. The ref wasn’t biased, just poor.
We were happy to allow them possession, afterall we are excellent on the counter, this side thrives on that and we should’ve had at least two more goals.
Lafferty was composed until later on, Baldock, I need to see more of him, but don’t think he has worried Freeman just yet as he seemed a little nervy. His rolling around when he won a freekick on the edge of their box was embarrassing and we really don’t need to see that.
Brooks caused them problems. Lundstram shored things up when Duffy was tiring. Basham was necessary to add some bite
Another side note, I noticed that our players were getting dragged into moaning at the ref. Its not something we saw last season. Its not something which we need to see.
As for Bolton, I thought they were poor, they were going to have possession and they did little with it. Blackman made some saves and yes we had spells under pressure, especially at the end. However, I don’t think they really did enough to get anything other than a defeat. Certain players seemed more concerned with trying to injure ours. Horrible side and nothing to be proud about with that performance.
Last night was one of those ugly games: devoid of quality, at least from half time. We started with a number of changes, debuts and a player returning from Suspension.
The first half was ok, it started scrappy and we probably started to take hold of the game, retain possession better after the initial first 10-15 mins. We dominated as much as we could, the midfield 3 being particularly comfortable.
I thought that Leon seemed to be getting battered a lot, they were doing a job on him and Billy. So credit to Bolton for that. However, I felt that Leon seemed to be leaving himself in there to be clattered, it was weird to see.
We clearly ended the first half on top and Bolton had to do something.
Bolton were much better second half, doesn’t mean that they were good, but they played a game to stifle ours. It became a scrap and some firm, but fair tackles, some cynical ones – from both sides. The ref wasn’t biased, just poor.
We were happy to allow them possession, afterall we are excellent on the counter, this side thrives on that and we should’ve had at least two more goals.
Lafferty was composed until later on, Baldock, I need to see more of him, but don’t think he has worried Freeman just yet as he seemed a little nervy. His rolling around when he won a freekick on the edge of their box was embarrassing and we really don’t need to see that.
Brooks caused them problems. Lundstram shored things up when Duffy was tiring. Basham was necessary to add some bite
Another side note, I noticed that our players were getting dragged into moaning at the ref. Its not something we saw last season. Its not something which we need to see.
As for Bolton, I thought they were poor, they were going to have possession and they did little with it. Blackman made some saves and yes we had spells under pressure, especially at the end. However, I don’t think they really did enough to get anything other than a defeat. Certain players seemed more concerned with trying to injure ours. Horrible side and nothing to be proud about with that performance.
