Bolton Wanderers vs Toffeemen

[wanderers_on_tour]

At least Ginola likes us! He did say, " they pass the ball, have ability to find space, want to attack, that's what football should be about". Gone up in my estimation.

Haha i dont usually watch match of the day, much prefer that goals on sunday lark with chris kamara and ben shepherd, but thought ginola was a good laugh and appreciated his comments!

During the game itself i thought that scottish bloke who does soccer saturday sometimes (im terrible with names ) wasnt half bad for a stand in

[thebish]

I don't believe anyone has celebrated this fact yet, but...

another CLEAN SHEET

and...

back in the black GD-wise...

good sunday all-round!

[Prufrock]

Well I thought we played well. Very well. Much more like the team of October and November. I don't know whether it is the added rest, the fact we have more bodies, or the impetus Sturridge's arrival has given us, but there are wind in the sails again. Seeing a fully fit Holden and MD pressing Everton in their own third together after 80 mins is a good sign that energy and tempo that was key to everything good we did pre-Christmas is back is promising. I didn't think Everton were particularly bad, certainly not as woeful as Wolves, though they were very toothless. Their only real attacking threat was Baines, who is fecking quality going forward, that ball for Cahill was out of this world, and even he looks like he is missing Pienaar. Even so I thought we were good value.

Jussi was much more commanding, and that spreads throughout the whole defence. Fullbacks were both solid. Knight to me looked like he was preparing to have one of his occasional utter mares before he got injured, for a big lad he just cannot deal with a physical battle, gets locked into a silly shirt pulling game, far too tight, and easily rolled. Wheater came on and did very well. A couple of hairy moments where he almost lost it in dangerous areas, but a big commanding header for his first touch set the tone and he did the ugly stuff very very well. Also looks a lot more competent on the ball than Knight. Cahill was excellent, though I don't think the goal was his, nor do I think he deserved MotM. Played well, but didn't have much to actually do.

Mark Davies' best game in a white shirt possibly ever. He was awesome on his debut, but the workrate, and discipline he displayed yesterday was really impressive. Main worries I've had about him are that he didn't have the discipline to play in a two, and that he goes missing in an attacking sense far too often. He was excellent yesterday. Tactically very aware, and between himself and Holden, they shared the workload very well. MD was probably only eclipsed by yon Pea Head again. I know folk were mocking the idea of a player of the year award topic in January, but it's not that stupid considering it is definitely his. Excellent again, and always always crucial to everything good we do. Always available, always moving, always does something useful and affects the game.

Taylor was workmanlike. I thought the goal against West Brom would set him off on a run, but he still seems to be labouring in an attacking sense. Does so much defensively however, and our midfield probably needs that. Not sure about the Elmo bashing this week either. A lot more aggressive yesterday and he is so much better a player for it. His best performance in a long time for me. He looks his most dangerous when he gets it at his feet and runs at people. I'm still convinced he is more of an attacking midfielder than a forward. Him on the left and LCY on the right would be interesting, though I fear we would massively miss Taylor's defensive contributions. Elmo is willing, but first half particularly he got dragged infield and out of position. Second hald much better on marshalling Baines, and as I've said, he looks far far better when he isn't mard-arsing around but going out and getting stuck in and positive.

SKD's best game for a long long time too. Think the rest has done him wonders. Still a bit laboured going forward, but really led from the front. When he is putting himself about it doesn't half give the crowd and the players a lift. Marshalled very well by Distin and Fellaini aerially first half, but he creates space for others, and was tireless. Much better

Sturridge. Flops over far too easily. Though anyone saying he wont get them here has clearly forgotten Campo, and that last night, he did. Otherwise I was very impressed. Made a big impact far more quickly than anyone could have anticipated. He doesn't half know where the goal is too. Needs to be a bit sharper at bringing others into play if he is going to really click in our ludicrous way of playing football.

Everton were toothless. Fellaini is a good player and a cnut. Bilyaletdinov is wank. Arteta was so so quiet. Baines awesome. Cahill quiet. Rest shit.

[norm the jedi]

Top result.. I feckin hate Everton... and we regularly get mugged off at their despicable plastic scouser hand...

Still don't think Elmo is the new wide man du jour mind? No knock on him, he always gives it stacks, I just don't see him as
a winger..

[Verbal]

Bilyaletdinov is wank.

[boltonboris]

After the game a southerner came onto to 606 and along with Green, they agreed that out of a Bolton, Blackpool and Everton hybrid side, they'd 'undoubtedly have at least 8 Everton players'

I fecking wouldn't!

Cahill, Holden, Elmander, Lee, Taylor, Petrov, both Davies' and Adam would walk into that side..

[hisroyalgingerness]

I'd only take Tim Cahill, Distin and Baines out of the lot

[Wandering Willy]

I'd take Fellaini, I don't like him, but I'd take him.

[William the White]

I'd take Fellaini, I don't like him, but I'd take him.

Their MotM yesterday. And a real nuisance. I'd take him.

[Wandering Willy]

Aye - and he's had much better games this season.

[jimbo]

I'd only take Tim Cahill, Distin and Baines out of the lot

And Howard. And Neville. And Fellaini.

Oh, and there's nobody better than Mikel Arteta. Apparently.

[plymouth wanderer]

i'd take Fellaini,cahill,baines,coleman

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

After the game a southerner came onto to 606 and along with Green, they agreed that out of a Bolton, Blackpool and Everton hybrid side, they'd 'undoubtedly have at least 8 Everton players'

I fecking wouldn't!

Cahill, Holden, Elmander, Lee, Taylor, Petrov, both Davies' and Adam would walk into that side..

I really don't understand it. Why anyone would listen to a phone-in hosted by that idiot, I mean.

FWIW, I'd start the car myself for Baines, Jagielka, Rodwell, Fellaini, Arteta, T. Cahill, Coleman or Saha, but I don't know how many would get into this preposterous proposed tripartite XI, the kind of which is routinely suggested by gobshites who think games are won by reputation rather than achievement.

[hisroyalgingerness]

I'd only take Tim Cahill, Distin and Baines out of the lot

And Howard. And Neville. And Fellaini.

Oh, and there's nobody better than Mikel Arteta. Apparently.

I forget about Arteta

[TKIZ!]

Had to laugh at Ginola on MoTD2, he had the complete horn for us!

[officer_dibble]

Had to laugh at Ginola on MoTD2, he had the complete horn for us!

HE said we could challenge the top 4 in November!

FWIW, I'd start the car myself for Baines, Jagielka, Rodwell, Fellaini, Arteta, T. Cahill, Coleman or Saha

Blimey no thanks, max 10 games a season? Klasnic is more reliable than that!

[TKIZ!]

Had to laugh at Ginola on MoTD2, he had the complete horn for us!

HE said we could challenge the top 4 in November!

FWIW, I'd start the car myself for Baines, Jagielka, Rodwell, Fellaini, Arteta, T. Cahill, Coleman or Saha

Blimey no thanks, max 10 games a season? Klasnic is more reliable than that!

Aye, I remember that. He's still convinced that we could be challenging

[Tombwfc]

We've got four strikers at least who'd have walked into their line-up yesterday.

[Dujon]

Yesterday I watch the game via a recording rather than crawling out of bed at four-of-the-clock on a Monday morning. With the benefit of hindsight (i.e. the result) I find that situation far less stressful than watching the game 'live'. After some serious wine-fuelled consideration I came to the conclusion that three points was a wonderful result and that Everton lost the game rather than we won it. Tough, I know; then, I've been a pessimist for most of my life.

At one point in the match I thought we were losing control of the mid-field. Passes going astray, poor choices and the like; fortunately Everton did the same and the advantage was ours. Sturridge? At this point in time an enigma to me. Where did he get such skills to fall to the pitch when a wee zephyr passes him by? Why has he such tunnel vision? Is he even aware that he has team mates? I'm afraid that three-in-three has not as yet enthralled me.

I hope (fervently hope in fact) that we are so lucky in our next few games.

[norm the jedi]

At one point in the match I thought we were losing control of the mid-field. Passes going astray, poor choices and the like; fortunately Everton did the same and the advantage was ours. Sturridge? At this point in time an enigma to me. Where did he get such skills to fall to the pitch when a wee zephyr passes him by? Why has he such tunnel vision? Is he even aware that he has team mates? I'm afraid that three-in-three has not as yet enthralled me.

I hope (fervently hope in fact) that we are so lucky in our next few games.

Duj mate step away from the Chardonnay loosen your grip on the grappa..

Mr Sturridge has earned us three points [Wolves] and rammed home the advantage nailing the toffee coffin..
He has pace spark an eye for goal and on several occasions a very good eye for a pass including a cross fielder that was a thing of beauty..
Without the 6 points earned since his arrival and with the help of his contribution we'd be 3 above the drop zone.. and reet in the mire
Being as he arrived just after our worst run and worst shallacking of the season... Right now he'll do for me... and if he's a bit selfish, plays wi a bit of a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove then good luck to him.
Or do we need him to pop off and find a cure for summat during half time oranges ... We needed a goal scorer - he's got three in three starts!
What's the lad got to do?