Trouble in't Mill

[EverSoYouri]

In future years, when you lot - by then raddled and toothless - are drooling into your pints and testing each other for Alzheimer's by asking: 'do you remember that night when Mason scored his first hat trick for us?', I'll just have to say 'no, I was watching Robert Powell play Hercule Poirot at the Lowry.' Some mysteries will never be solved by the 'leetle grey cells'.


Let's hope this is the start of better times at the Macron and not just a stay of execution for the manager.

[Bruno3]

Would just like to put in a word for Craig Davies - thought he was immense - worked his socks off, his control was much improved and it allowed Mason the freedom to find space. If only he (Davies) could shoot -- but that's probably asking too much.

[Bruce Rioja]

Would just like to put in a word for Craig Davies - thought he was immense - worked his socks off, his control was much improved and it allowed Mason the freedom to find space. If only he (Davies) could shoot -- but that's probably asking too much.

Yes this. MotM for me until Mason got his act together. Moved into a superb position late on to receive the ball from Feeney for a near tap-in but Feeney chose to shoot from a tight angle instead. Shame, because Davies deserved a goal last night.

[thebish]

He's poor on the ball and spends all his time gesticulating and bitching at people who are actually playing better than him.

... AKA - playing the latter-day Nolan role...

[thebish]

Not extended, but: http://www.goalsaim.com/bolton-vs-rothe ... mpionship/

cheers Tango!

[Bruce Rioja]

Att: 13,630

I'd say Rotherham must've brought around 1,200. Presumably they've counted all the STH's in that as well - WtW and I know of five who weren't there for a start.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Thank God for that.

First thoughts. Starting XI was attacking enough, although we lacked width - maybe DF can't bring himself to play two strikers and a winger. Then again, was it (as someone posted) 4-1-3-2?

Mason's never a lone frontman, but can drop off behind a hard-working focal point - Cravies will have to do, he's the best we've got for now - and might link well with Mavies, who is very welcome back.

Wingers won the game when we went for it. Stats say that we were unlucky to lose the first half - I think they'd had two shots, just one on target, compared to nine or so from us. (For balance, by the same yardstick we were bloody lucky to draw on Saturday - but also unlucky to lose at Leeds.) But we scored within two minutes of the double-winger substitution - Feeney and Chungy for Danns and Prats; the assist was Mavies's but when you make changes it asks the defence new questions.

Mind, it also asked questions of our defence, which is hardly a collective candidate for Mensa. Rotherham had four shots in the four minutes after our equaliser - as many as they'd had in the previous hour – and I can imagine that that back four had hearts a-fluttering. Does anyone know WTF happened to McNaughton and Tierney?

Glad Moxey was better. Perhaps still not Maldini but a step up from liability helps. Good luck to the lad. Also glad to hear Dervite getting praise.

Next test: dogheads. I doubt he'll play 4-1-3-2 again but he surely can't drop Mason and he must be now have realised the kid can't play the lone role.

[jaffka]

Feels good to win.

Need to keep it going though now and our next one up is a toughie.

[Loyal White]

First half dire. Second half much better.

Ream is never a right back - Rotherham were able to leave their right side of the pitch because he was never going to be able to take advantage of it. Of all the games to give White/Thelkeld a game surely Rotherham at home must be one?

Mason and the whole team were struggling prior to the subs. No shortage of effort, but with everything being down the middle it was extremely congested and we struggled to create many chances.

Feeney and Lee stretched their defence and opened up space for them, Mark Davies and Mason to take advantage.

After that it was much better. Still defensively awful though.

[thebish]

Does anyone know WTF happened to McNaughton and Tierney?

frustratingly - no.. there doesn't appear to be a "PhysioRoom" equivalent for the Championship where injuries and expected return dates are compiled...

anyone know of such a site??

[Bruno3]

If my memory doesn't fail me wasn't Tierney part of the side that started last season with the worst record for years (until this year). Not sure his return is something to get wildly excited about. Thought Moxey was a lot better last night - not great but infinitely better than on Saturday. Would still prefer Ream at left back and McNaughton /White / Threlkeld at right back. Thought Dervite looked quite classy last night (shades of Florent Laville?)

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

4m highlights:



8m highlights:

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

If my memory doesn't fail me wasn't Tierney part of the side that started last season with the worst record for years (until this year). Not sure his return is something to get wildly excited about. Thought Moxey was a lot better last night - not great but infinitely better than on Saturday. Would still prefer Ream at left back and McNaughton /White / Threlkeld at right back. Thought Dervite looked quite classy last night (shades of Florent Laville?)

He was, but he showed willingness to get forward which could be quite usefulness. I'm aware there might be evidence of Andranik syndrome but most folks seemed happy with his part in proceedings and we haven't looked comfortable at left-back since. Especially against a proper winger, Ream has been very far from convincing at left-back: he seems better in the middle as the thoughtful passer/sweeper alongside a beast. It may be that Dervite may take that role - fine, if he's better than Ream - but I'd still like more options at left-back, especially if we're playing so narrow.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I know it was only 8 minutes of highlights, but at least it looked like we had a go going forwards. Was good to see players attacking a defence rather than just floating the ball in aimlessly. We still look ropey in defence, but we have something to build on providing we keep trying to attack.

[jonnycooper]

Think I read somewhere that McNaughton was out until November!!!

[General Mannerheim]

who is Hughes?

[thebish]

who is Hughes?

he joined us back in July..

Experienced midfielder joins the club as a professional development coach

Bolton Wanderers have appointed Andy Hughes as a professional development coach.

Hughes, 36, was most recently on the books of Charlton Athletic and made a total of eight appearances last season.

He will work across the club’s under-21 and academy sides in his new role at Bolton.

Hughes brings a vast amount of experience to the club, having played in over 600 senior games across the Football League for the likes of Norwich City, Reading and Leeds United. He has four Football League promotions under his belt.

As well as his new role, Hughes will also be registered as a member of the playing squad.

[General Mannerheim]

how come he was on the bench?

[Vertigo]

If my memory doesn't fail me wasn't Tierney part of the side that started last season with the worst record for years (until this year). Not sure his return is something to get wildly excited about. Thought Moxey was a lot better last night - not great but infinitely better than on Saturday. Would still prefer Ream at left back and McNaughton /White / Threlkeld at right back. Thought Dervite looked quite classy last night (shades of Florent Laville?)

Tierney was easily the most consistent performer in the team up until he was injured. Whereas all I can hear right now is Ream isn't a left back and Moxey is no good. I think everyone should be looking forward to his return.

As for Dervite, perhaps a similar start to Bogdan. A few mistakes before finally settling in and showing form?

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

how come he was on the bench?

He's the replacement for that fella Coyle employed that was good to have around. Dougie's policy of giving youth a chance is bearing fruit, hence Hughes inclusion on the bench.