Bolton

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

A much changed and weakened United side had the lion's share of the match and, but for the misfiring in front of goal that has afflicted us since the week when we scored 14 in 3 games, we would have won. Sharp, Done and Chapman will hopefully be back involved against Swindon as the back-ups fluffed their lines.

Really not impressed with Bolton, but then again I don't suppose anyone has ever enjoyed watching Phil Parkinson's teams. They're grinding results in true Parkinson style and let's face it, he had to play his full strength side today, as they need the money from a cup run. Whether they can carry on in this fashion will depend on what happens in January with the transfer embargo and whether they have to shift some players out to keep the club running. They don't look to me to be the sort of side that will run away with promotion, though.

We buy well in the JTW and we will run away with promotion . To me like today we are still not firing on all cylinders , with a missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle . I wouldn't be surprised if a number of players are on there way and replaced with better players in January .

The ball is in McCabes court for this shit or bust season . Money talks .He needs to back Wilder with a big money forward marquee signing .

Bolton , Scunthorpe IMO will fall away . We have to make sure we don't do the same .

Yep , bit annoyed we lost today , but not that pissed off . We know our shortfalls , so Wilder will , and no doubt sort em.

Let's give the team some credit , even when the fuckers lose , it's cold , Boltons a shit hole .

We don't have to be like Charlton , Wednesday , Wolves , to get out of this division.

At least John Disley is back in Bolton and not Sheffield .

UTB

 

[Harry's Game]

I expect Bolton to win the League based on their defence and they will probably take the gamble of not selling their best player Clough in January, (don't pin hopes on them going into admin it isn't going to happen)

Our best hope is catching Scunny the problem here is that they already have a six point start on us however not as strong a looking side on paper as Bolton.

We need to strengthen up front and at the back in January Evans may be a possibility for one of those roles but replacing EEL is going to be difficult if he goes.

Also we can't afford any sort of bad run, we need to win about 18-20 of the remaining 26 games and can probably aford to lose no more than about four of the others.

Aside from Scunny I think Bradford are not going to threaten the top two again but Peterboro may make a charge.

 

[blade too long]

I expect Bolton to win the League based on their defence .

we scored 2 today with a much changed team, that smacked of Ill play some kids for the experience thinking
I think the results bearing on this seasons league outcome is minimal , unless Bolton suffer some serious injuries in any future cup ties.
cup runs have seriously harmed us in recent years come april playing 60 games can seriously damage a teams health

 

[derryblade]

I don't think it was the cup runs that harmed us in recent years, rather the players attitudes. In one off games they played to their limits in the 46 games in the 3rd tier of football they didn't IMO

 

[ormester]

Looked like a team going up to me. I know we rested players but they looked men against boys at times. They have so much height and strength with the added bonus of some class attacking players. They have some weaker links (and lack pace) but if they add a couple in January I think they'll be unbeatable. They've been winning games by a single goal and they seem good enough to hold out against teams. Very solid defence.

Let's hope someone buys Clough or Scunthorpe implode.

bolton are nothing special at all i think we more than matched them we missed wright and eel but bolton dont worry me at all

 

[spongebobblade]

Just back. Thought we had the majority of possession and even there fans got slightly agitated when we had the ball. As has been said though they are solid at the back and a little more clinical going forward. Ameobi's goal was a killer for us. The 3rd was acceptable as we had taken Brown off and trying to get back into the game. Considering the players rested compared to there full strength line up I thought we did ok. Remember they still have to play us and Bradford away as well as both games against Scunny. On another note that's 7 games Leon has started and we've not won any. Nothing against him but he's really struggling to fit in. It's just the league now though and we've all to play for. With the right additions we can reach our goal regardless of others. Nobody has frightened us enough so far. Onwards and upwards

 

[WhiteHawk]

Thought we had the majority of possession

You think correctly. We had 62%

 

[Deadbat]

They are a carbon copy of the Pigs team that went up. Team full of big horrible bastards with bully boy tactics but it's working for them

SAdly thats what we are lacking really. We have sorted the midfield and defence out in most areas but lack those dirty so and sos you need to go up. We are still a soft touch aside from Ebanks Landell and I fear when he goes back we are full of powder puff players.

Bolton might lack neat and tiday players aside from Clough, Vela and maybe Spearing but they have a lot of 6 footers who will bulldoze sides. That worries me that they will do this against most.

We have better footballers than most but we have to almost score the pefrect goal I feel and lack that more direct threat and we need that nasty side. I think we will sign 2 new strikers in January and both will be big, quick lads hopefully. We do not have enough at the top end of the squad. Clarke and LAvery are subs at best; Done may come in and out but other than Sharp the quality at this end is lacking for a side going for promotion,

 

[DronnieBlade]

SAdly thats what we are lacking really. We have sorted the midfield and defence out in most areas but lack those dirty so and sos you need to go up. We are still a soft touch aside from Ebanks Landell and I fear when he goes back we are full of powder puff players.

Bolton might lack neat and tiday players aside from Clough, Vela and maybe Spearing but they have a lot of 6 footers who will bulldoze sides. That worries me that they will do this against most.

We have better footballers than most but we have to almost score the pefrect goal I feel and lack that more direct threat and we need that nasty side. I think we will sign 2 new strikers in January and both will be big, quick lads hopefully. We do not have enough at the top end of the squad. Clarke and LAvery are subs at best; Done may come in and out but other than Sharp the quality at this end is lacking for a side going for promotion,

Sides been disrupted a bit recently through injuries suspensions etc.

We had a purple patch not long ago. If we can keep the team that was unchanged for quite a few games together during this patch for a further sustained period, I believe we won't go far wrong and start banging em in again.

UTB

 

[georgebernardshaw]

You think correctly. We had 62%

How much did Bolton have?

 

[SB_90]

Even though the marking for 1st goal was shocking. I cant blame the defence because ramsdale kept us in the game with 2 great saves 1st half. But as put on match thread its great to be dominant & creating 20 shots a game. But at some point you have to be clinical & take advantage you'll get bitten at some poimt

 

[Minty]

I didn't go but according to Radio Sheff (like Kevin Gage as a summariser by the way). we played some really good stuff, so to lose by 1 goal with a weakened side against a more or less full strength opposition, I'm not too concerned.

 

[Jonboy60]

Anyone else think that the foot in the air that freeman suffered, had it been a Bolton player he'd still be rolling around.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

The defence when it's EEL-Wright-JOC is more than good enough at third tier level and won't get bullied. I wouldn't read too much into today's result, if Bolton go into Administration they won't be that much of a problem with the points deduction, if they don't go into Administration they're going to have to sell in January to stay afloat (we should make sure we cherry pick some of their better players if that's the case - we should also do the same with cherry picking Scunny's best players in Jan too).

 

[Bladesman]

Anyone else think that the foot in the air that freeman suffered, had it been a Bolton player he'd still be rolling around.

Seen two incidents like that this weekend and the offender has not been punished for it.

Walker took a boot to the face yesterday and Taylor didn't even get a yellow for this:



Be sure that if any of our lads does that to a player it will be a red card though.

 

[sitwell]

Looked like a team going up to me. I know we rested players but they looked men against boys at times. They have so much height and strength with the added bonus of some class attacking players. They have some weaker links (and lack pace) but if they add a couple in January I think they'll be unbeatable. They've been winning games by a single goal and they seem good enough to hold out against teams. Very solid defence.

Let's hope someone buys Clough or Scunthorpe implode.

I know you are gutted wilder is doing well but 'men against boys' makes you look silly. With a full team we would wipe the floor with them ,shame you cant ever post anything positive about your team because you thought the manager was useless ,yet manage to praise any other muppets to the hilt.

 

[WhiteHawk]

Anyone else think that the foot in the air that freeman suffered, had it been a Bolton player he'd still be rolling around.

Why was Freeman holding his face? The Bolton players foot was very high, but it didn't look close to making contact with his face.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Does the opening post really suggest a league 1 team as being 'unbeatable'?

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Bolton are boring and limited. Only 5 other sides in the division have scored fewer than them (& four of those are in the bottom four).

They'll not go up.

 

[CarlingBlade]

We defiantly need to get in on the act with these menacing long throws, used to cause havoc with Halford, Bromby, Vinnie etc, not used that weaponary for a good few years.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Bolton may prove me wrong but there game plan is based on not conceding a goal first we will see if that is effective in the 2nd half of the season when teams start playing them at there own game as games get more and more important teams will be happy to sit deep just as they do ,let's see how they go on when they fall behind.It's not happened often so far and if it continues then maybe they will do it.
Although we put out a team which competed well 4 or 5 were rested that says it all about what's important this season,it also gave Wilder a chance to look at one or two players who had not had much game time.The big plus was we controlled much of the game
the negative is we lost.Recent results won't have gone un noticed by Wilder he knows we need to recruit in certain. areas ( he's probably known for some time ).This team was put together quickly and no way could he have covered all bases in one window ,January is an important time for us ,if Wilder gets the backing and recruits well in my opinion we should get automatic and at worst play offs.Don't turn your nose up at play offs we have to win one sooner or later.

 

[I should coco]

They'll not go up.

And as we all know, "You'll never win anything with kids "

Whatever happened to Mr Hansen?

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

And as we all know, "You'll never win anything with kids "

Whatever happened to Mr Hansen?

Parky's too cautious. It'll cost them in the end. They're way off being some dominant force like Wolves, or Charlton, or Bristol City were.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I went to Bolton and they are nothing special - once again, we dominated possession (BBC has it at 62%) but failed to capitalise on what we did with that possession - and it has to be said, very very disappointed we didn'tt make it count in the first half.

Bolton are big, solid and know what they are doing (typical Parkinson) - have an ace up their sleeve with Clough (you lucky twat Parkinson), and I am sure their resolve will be tested in the JTW as he looks too good for this league and with Bolton mega bucks in debt and the key factor is their wage bill must be crippling - hence the need for cash. The league is rubbish - hence they look ok against the rest. All you have to do is compete against that sort of team, and their are plenty that can do that in this league. We didn't compete because we just out played them at football.

If we had put our A team out, with points at stake, we would not have lost today.

The issue for me and I don't know how CW is going to solve the dilemma of our forwards, but we have a real problem up top. Personally I don't give a monkeys who plays up top, but it WILL hold us back. There's nothing wrong with our A team midfield of Coutt/Fleck & Duffy. Freeman has this ability to get behind defences as he did numerous times today. Hussey got in quite a few crosses, but doesn't have that same ability to get behind teams as Freeman does. Hussey put in a fair few crosses, but to no where most of the time. Perhaps it is our static forwards and Hussey was just unlucky. Lafferty does also get in the box to make the extra man when he plays.

For the last 4 games it's been like watching the same game - us pushing forward, pulling most of the strings and bossing games - BUT, not scoring. Walsall were jammy on Tuesday - to be fair to Bolton, their extra bit of quality counted, specifically with finishing, and it is this thing called finishing that we lack - over to you CW & AK. We have to improve in the finishing department and in a nutshell - it's the FINAL ball, yet again.

UTB

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

They are a carbon copy of the Pigs team that went up. Team full of big horrible bastards with bully boy tactics but it's working for them

It's working for them at the moment . Comparison with the pigs . All I can say is that was then this is now. Different league , different circumstances .

The top 2 for automatic promotion will achieve this by playing football , not by bully boy tactics . Bolton will fall off with there challenge .

We have nothing to fear in this league .

The only way we will blow it , is if we don't sort out the front 2 / 3 forwards who compliment each other . Seems a bit of a mis mash at the moment . We also need pace , which we do lack .

We know , so Wilder knows . JTW will be interesting .

Truth be known we are in a healthy position , so let's enjoy it . Fuck everybody else .

UTB

 

[Jonboy60]

Why was Freeman holding his face? The Bolton players foot was very high, but it didn't look close to making contact with his face.

The boot missed, but the knee on the follow through caught him I think.

 

[Keen Blade]

Even though the marking for 1st goal was shocking. I cant blame the defence because ramsdale kept us in the game with 2 great saves 1st half. But as put on match thread its great to be dominant & creating 20 shots a game. But at some point you have to be clinical & take advantage you'll get bitten at some poimt

To put the 20 shots into perspective , we had 3 shots on target and 2 of those were our goals.
So that's nowhere near enough.
Bolton had 10 shots on target from 38% possession !
We haven't made our possession count in recent games - please sort it CW.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Bolton haven't look that good in many matches this season.

Opposition fans have generally said "they just look a physically well organised side but nothing special. Can't believe they are so high in the table. Expected better".

Also Bradford fans say it's typical Parkinson style.
Go 1-0 up then sit back soaking up pressure hoping for a 1-0 win.
It's worked so far but it's a dangerous tactic to do a Clough and sit back defending leads.

Unless things change Bolton won't finish top 2.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I didn't go but according to Radio Sheff (like Kevin Gage as a summariser by the way). we played some really good stuff, so to lose by 1 goal with a weakened side against a more or less full strength opposition, I'm not too concerned.

That doesn't mean much though.
We've been playing some lovely stuff for at least 12 matches now.
That's our style of play.

Agree though. I'm not concerned either.
Would much rather lose in the cup and win in the league.

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

Still prefer Clarke and Lavery to Done?

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, you've been opening the cheap Aldi Christmas Cracker jokes early haven't you.