MATCHWATCH : Bolton Wanderers (h)

[hughsies no.1]

Most of my views on the game have already been said.
- Would have taken a point before the game
- Disappointing how poor we set-up in the second half, sat back and invited pressure - was just a matter of time
- Players can't be happy being told not to express themselves and play (as they have the ability to do so)
- Savage energy for the press in the first half was brilliant - hope to see him play in that role more often. His range of passing also is key for Marriott (2x assists in a matter of days).
- Ward looks Rolls Royce - I reckon we will get a maximum of a season out of him before we sell for a profit
- Lane unfortunately looked like a deer in headlights and couldn't cross a road in the first half
- Solid cameo from Kelvin I would say based on previous displays this season

I was very disappointed with Will Keane's performance - big man up top, who you need to come on, be a presence and hold the ball up to bring others in to play and most importantly relieve some of the relentless pressure. His hold up play was nothing short of atrocious, 50p feet that everything bounced off. Has to do better.

[Snowflake Royal]

Difficult when it's constantly flying over his head.

He was the worst culprit for having time and just lumping it long.

But created a goal in each of the last two games - one by a great, relatively short, cushioned pass along the ground to Marriott, the other through a very accurate, longish pass in the air to Marriott,

He mixes things up, which I suspect are the manager's instructions.

He's a good player. He just needs to chill the oxf*rd out and think some times.

[South Coast Royal]

Good to see a speedy winger taking players on-the pity is that it was a Bolton player.

I do hope that Young gets game time as nobody else playing out wide for us is a natural winger with pace.

[Snowflake Royal]

Good to see a speedy winger taking players on-the pity is that it was a Bolton player.

I do hope that Young gets game time as nobody else playing out wide for us is a natural winger with pace.

Williams and Kyerewaa fill that

[Royals and Racers]

How people can say Kelvin did ok when he came on is beyond me- every time he tries to keep the ball under close control with the opposition around him he loses it. Winning a couple of headers to no one in particular doesn’t cut it for me.

[Hendo]

How people can say Kelvin did ok when he came on is beyond me- every time he tries to keep the ball under close control with the opposition around him he loses it. Winning a couple of headers to no one in particular doesn’t cut it for me.

Yeah, looked like he was just devoid of any confidence (as is Lane).

One thing on Kelvin, thought it was an incredibly harsh yellow he received.

[South Coast Royal]

Good to see a speedy winger taking players on-the pity is that it was a Bolton player.

I do hope that Young gets game time as nobody else playing out wide for us is a natural winger with pace.

Williams and Kyerewaa fill that

No.
Williams is not that quick and Danny K can do the first bit but hasn't a clue what to do next.
We need better.

[Hendo]

Also, Ward looks a proper player. Was very impressed with him.

[Hound]

How people can say Kelvin did ok when he came on is beyond me- every time he tries to keep the ball under close control with the opposition around him he loses it. Winning a couple of headers to no one in particular doesn’t cut it for me.

He did do fine. He lost it a couple of times, but also held it up better than anyone else all game at other times. Won every aerial dual which generally meant even if it went to Bolton they started back with their keeper rather than the half way line. Worked hard and defended from the front which was a big contributor to Bolton having limited chances. Won a couple of fouls (which no other forward did off memory) to relieve pressure.

Was far more involved in terms of touches per minute that the likes of Marriott, Doyle, Keane and Lane

He’s one of those players that seem to attract criticism whatever tbh. Not sure what else you expect from him in that game

In a wider point with him - he doesn’t get a load of game time but when he does we seem to kick absolutely everything to him all the time. I find that a bit strange.

[MR. CYNICAL]

Just a side note, as the park and ride at Mearoak was full of caravans I decided to use the Holiday Inn.
Not sure if they saw me coming but they've upped the price to £13!

The caravans had gone by the time our bus came back. Guess the travellers didn't fancy it.

Very trusting of you parking there, or was I overreacting driving back out when I saw them there? They were certainly taking up a lot of space, couldn't of been there long as they weren't there on Saturday. Maybe they didn't like gravelly surface!

[Clyde1998]

Most of my views on the game have already been said.
- Would have taken a point before the game
- Disappointing how poor we set-up in the second half, sat back and invited pressure - was just a matter of time
- Players can't be happy being told not to express themselves and play (as they have the ability to do so)
- Savage energy for the press in the first half was brilliant - hope to see him play in that role more often. His range of passing also is key for Marriott (2x assists in a matter of days).
- Ward looks Rolls Royce - I reckon we will get a maximum of a season out of him before we sell for a profit
- Lane unfortunately looked like a deer in headlights and couldn't cross a road in the first half
- Solid cameo from Kelvin I would say based on previous displays this season

I was very disappointed with Will Keane's performance - big man up top, who you need to come on, be a presence and hold the ball up to bring others in to play and most importantly relieve some of the relentless pressure. His hold up play was nothing short of atrocious, 50p feet that everything bounced off. Has to do better.

Basically my view, especially disappointed that we (once again) decided to sit back once taking the lead and hope to hold out.

Also concerned we had three players go off injured - Roberts; Marriott; and O'Connor. Hopefully each will be nothing too serious.

Thought Bolton were surprisingly poor with their final ball and decisions in the final third. Had that been better (along with scoring the one-on-one in the early stages of the game), we probably would've lost quite easily.

[URZZZZ]

How people can say Kelvin did ok when he came on is beyond me- every time he tries to keep the ball under close control with the opposition around him he loses it. Winning a couple of headers to no one in particular doesn’t cut it for me.

He’s one of those players that seem to attract criticism whatever tbh. Not sure what else you expect from him in that game

Number of things. Started off with tons of promise albeit with glaring weaknesses as to be expected with a youngster breaking through the first team. Yet nearly three seasons later and he hasn’t refined those weaknesses

Lack of defensive responsibility. Not “lazy” as such but loses the ball, head down, sulks, leaves his fullback exposed. Doesn’t utilise his physique well enough. Hits the floor too quickly and refs see straight through him. Sure, he holds it up better than the likes of Doyle, Lane and Marriott but that’s surely a given with their respective height differences!
Underwhelming G/A record. 12 goals/5 assists in 5500 minutes of league football (102 league appearances), would personally expect more

I know you like your WhoScored stats and that has him as our “22nd” best player this season. Our weakest first team player after Ritchie and Fraser (who haven’t featured tons themselves!)

I don’t disagree that he is perhaps over criticised and too often has a thankless task of chasing long aimless passes. But it’s no different to what Marriott has to contend with and he’s the leagues top scorer. The major difference between the two stems from the fact that Marriott is a top L1 player and unfortunately Ehibhatiomhan isn’t

Still think he can be some sort of use for the rest of the season as a plan B. But it’s quite damning for him that his use stems from being “taller” and mostly unrelated to footballing abilities. Should have moved on from him last summer and I hope for his and our sake, we make that choice this summer

[Orion1871]

Will Keane was running around in circles, barely ever showing for the ball, and never getting near any defenders.

Yet Kelvin, playing out of position, is the one getting heavy criticism whilst Keane basically gets a shrug of the shoulders for his poor performance.

[Hound]

How people can say Kelvin did ok when he came on is beyond me- every time he tries to keep the ball under close control with the opposition around him he loses it. Winning a couple of headers to no one in particular doesn’t cut it for me.

He’s one of those players that seem to attract criticism whatever tbh. Not sure what else you expect from him in that game

Number of things. Started off with tons of promise albeit with glaring weaknesses as to be expected with a youngster breaking through the first team. Yet nearly three seasons later and he hasn’t refined those weaknesses

Lack of defensive responsibility. Not “lazy” as such but loses the ball, head down, sulks, leaves his fullback exposed. Doesn’t utilise his physique well enough. Hits the floor too quickly and refs see straight through him. Sure, he holds it up better than the likes of Doyle, Lane and Marriott but that’s surely a given with their respective height differences!
Underwhelming G/A record. 12 goals/5 assists in 5500 minutes of league football (102 league appearances), would personally expect more

I know you like your WhoScored stats and that has him as our “22nd” best player this season. Our weakest first team player after Ritchie and Fraser (who haven’t featured tons themselves!)

I don’t disagree that he is perhaps over criticised and too often has a thankless task of chasing long aimless passes. But it’s no different to what Marriott has to contend with and he’s the leagues top scorer. The major difference between the two stems from the fact that Marriott is a top L1 player and unfortunately Ehibhatiomhan isn’t

Still think he can be some sort of use for the rest of the season as a plan B. But it’s quite damning for him that his use stems from being “taller” and mostly unrelated to footballing abilities. Should have moved on from him last summer and I hope for his and our sake, we make that choice this summer

He’s certainly got plenty to improve on, but he’s still 22 and lots of time for that, I hope we don’t give up on him as an academy lad

I do like whoscored for the stats. The ratings are a subjective algorithm though - don’t know what they base it on in terms of weighting those stats. It seems difficult for a sub to get more than a 6.2 or so. If we went by those Paudie is our run away pots followed by wing

But fwiw as a starting CF in 9 games KE has a rating of 6.76 which would put him in 6th place. It’s the sub appearances that bring the likes of him, Ritchie and Fraser right down

[Snowflake Royal]

Also, Ward looks a proper player. Was very impressed with him.

Obviously a good player with plenty of potential, but I thought he had a few more wobbles v Bolton than the previous game. Including giving them their early 1v1

[traff]

Just a side note, as the park and ride at Mearoak was full of caravans I decided to use the Holiday Inn.
Not sure if they saw me coming but they've upped the price to £13!

Do you suspect they have hidden cameras in the rooms?

[leon]

Will Keane was running around in circles, barely ever showing for the ball, and never getting near any defenders.

Yet Kelvin, playing out of position, is the one getting heavy criticism whilst Keane basically gets a shrug of the shoulders for his poor performance.

Keane was shit. His job was provide an outlet and hold the ball up. He failed to do any of that. Not been impressed with him at all so far.

[Snowflake Royal]

I have been very unimpressed with Keane, but I have the impression we're trying to use him in a sub-optimal way.