Bolton v Derby

[r0ckpaperscissors]

So much of the passing game tonight looked unnatural and without any real rhythm or flow. It was as though the players had to consciously think about not hoofing the ball forward. Then ten minutes or so into each half things started to slip and it was back to the old ways - Mills blasting it towards SKD for us to consistently lose the second ball.

I'm not really an advocate of either style, but the insistence on playing in a manner that the players really don't look comfortable in, just to impose a footballing philosophy seems counter-intuitive. If you have to think too much about what you're doing then you end up playing with your head and not your heart. And we are sorely missing a bit of heart at the moment.

[SmokinFrazier]

So much of the passing game tonight looked unnatural and without any real rhythm or flow. It was as though the players had to consciously think about not hoofing the ball forward. Then ten minutes or so into each half things started to slip and it was back to the old ways - Mills blasting it towards SKD for us to consistently lose the second ball.

I'm not really an advocate of either style, but the insistence on playing in a manner that the players really don't look comfortable in, just to impose a footballing philosophy seems counter-intuitive. If you have to think too much about what you're doing then you end up playing with your head and not your heart. And we are sorely missing a bit of heart at the moment.

I don't think this is by choice but down to low confidence. Players at every level become far more basic when things aren't going their way. Look at when Barcelona have been losing matches, what do they resort to? The long ball tactic, and that's not because it's an effective way of playing for them, it's solely because they're desperate and want to simplify the game as much as possible. Look at Chelsea when they were poor last season. They resorted to playing long balls non-stop and does anyone seriously think AVB told them to do that? When you lose game after game, that desperation combined with lack of confidence makes a neat passing game much harder to play, so the players don't do it. It's not just a lack of confidence in themselves but a lack of faith in their teammates. How many times did we see our players miss a 5 yard pass last season? In the game against Burnley, Bogdan attempted to find Ricketts and he missed that simple pass by a mile. It's not because he is technically so poor he can't pass a ball 20 yards, it's a mental issue.

Like I said before, we are going to continue playing horrible, basic football until that confidence is back. When it's back, we'll improve and start showing good stuff but for the immediate future, I think we can expect more of the same.

[Leyther_Matt]

We created four or five clear-cut chances in the last 20 minutes and if we can recreate that over a long period during a game then we're definitely on to something, although even then Derby hit the post in that time.

Great to get the win but the disallowed goal may be worth another look which might be a game changer on another day. I thought Knight worked a lot better with Mills than he did with Ream on Saturday but Ricketts still doesn't look particularly comfortable at left back and I thought Mears was very poor. In midfield, Andrews had a very good game and Mavies much improved from Saturday. Chungy did well when he had the confidence to get his head up and Eagles took his goal very well. If Sordell can get a better idea of how to get on to KD's flick ons then things will improve, but we were still far too reliant on lumping aimless balls upfield.

Let's not forget though that one swallow doesn't make a summer, and Derby really were a poor side.

Hopefully we can use this as a starting point and raise the level of performance against Forest.

[Hodori]

I went to the game today. It wasn't great, but there are signs that we're slowly on the up again. What is obvious though that we are utterly bereft of confidence, and this can only be solved by grinding out victories like tonight. It won't be pretty in the meantime though.

A holding midfielder is required - Andrews is a good player at this level, but shouldn't really be a DM.

CYL showed a few signs that he's getting back to his best - a few more matches and he should cement his title as the best player in the division (if he doesn't get a move). I can't see it though - we won't let him go cheaply.

[officer_dibble]

I'm pleased we turned up for the full 90. Albeit only playing for 30 mins.

Not sure why their goal was dissallowed but that was a big turning point; 1-0 down and I reckon we would have lost.

Still need a left back and a tackling energetic midfield man.

[klasnicks]

Goals from last night

http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/bolton-2-derby-0/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Hoboh]

Don't want to put the damper on a win but I didn't see much to suggest the sun was rising yet last night. A win is a win and crucial but if we don't keep the ball to feet and move swiftly this game will be a one off. Sorry, yes Davo did more last night than for a while but it sure as hell won;t work against all the other teams, HOOF! seems to be the Bolton Mantra.
Slightly off topic wtf are folk doing giving the players this 'confidence' excuse? Bollox if they ain't confident in their ability with a ball after being in the main premiership players they should do one to Rochdale or feckin' Bury where they will be no chance of them ever being embarrased in the Prem again!! Confidence issue my ass I'd bet most of them don't give a pigs whatever once they are home with their expensive toys n tarts! Mind you if my boss was a prick like Coyle I'd be worried but that would have feck all to do with confidence more about reduced earnings.

[Ianmooreslovechild]

I'm pleased we turned up for the full 90. Albeit only playing for 30 mins.

Not sure why their goal was dissallowed but that was a big turning point; 1-0 down and I reckon we would have lost.

Still need a left back and a tackling energetic midfield man.

Two simple obvious signings and I might start to believe we can have a good season.Ricketts is our best defender and shouldnt be asked to play his least effective position week after week.If we want to compete away from home or against the better teams in the championship we have to have someone with more drive and energy in centre midfield.Not convinced by any of our defence(knight standing out as exceptional tells a sorry tale but good on him)Would be throwing good money after bad to let owen sign any more at the back. Maybe we can get a quality left back in on loan and with ricketts at cd or rb things should start to improve.

The hoofball thing is about confidence and fear.We have players capable of passing and moving but there's still a fear of taking responsibility or making a mistake. A few good results should turn that around.18 months of abject failure will take a bit of undoing.

[officer_dibble]

We've probably sacked/not employed people since they left to newcastle (note to burnley i said left not stole) the sports scientists, psychologists etc. I seriously think if Coyle were more open to the science side of the game it would be a massive help. Plenty Team GB heroes sought the help of psycholigists...remembet a piece on wiggo...and pendleton deffo needed one!

[Norpig]

I cannot believe some of the comments, it is not a confidence issue it is a tactics issue! Ever since Big Sam put his master plan in place (hoof it to Davies and feed off the 2nd ball) this is how we have played ever since.

Bogdan wanted to throw it out last night but has obviously been told to kick it up to Davies, the reason this no longer works is because Coyle has bought smaller players to play in a pass and move game not a kick and rush game. I would like Coyle to explain why we are not playing a pass and move game he has been bleating about all summer and why Vela, Riley are not getting a game as Baby Davies is not interested and seniorKD is no longer capable.

We were extremely lucky that last night we came up against a team who had one decent player (Connor Salmon) we were awful in the first half very disjointed. The couple of occasions we got through for a shot on goal we played pass and move though the centre of midfield.

The second half was marginally better but why KD stayed on the pitch for so long is beyond me as he moved slower and slower (could not miss for the goal from 3 yards out) Eagles was by far the best outfield player and deserved his goal which he scored running down the middle.

A few observations from last night SeniorKD is a spent force (don't let the goal fool you). Eagles best position is playing down the middle of the front man. Baby Davies is not interested so sell him now whilst we can get some money for him. Mills is the slowest most ponderous defender I have seen in a long time and not in the same league as Ream. We should play more of a passing game as it suits the players we have.

In summary we were lucky and will have to play much better on Friday to get anything from the game as Forest look a much better outfit!!

[Ianmooreslovechild]

I cannot believe some of the comments, it is not a confidence issue it is a tactics issue! Ever since Big Sam put his master plan in place (hoof it to Davies and feed off the 2nd ball) this is how we have played ever since.

Bogdan wanted to throw it out last night but has obviously been told to kick it up to Davies, the reason this no longer works is because Coyle has bought smaller players to play in a pass and move game not a kick and rush game. I would like Coyle to explain why we are not playing a pass and move game he has been bleating about all summer and why Vela, Riley are not getting a game as Baby Davies is not interested and seniorKD is no longer capable.

We were extremely lucky that last night we came up against a team who had one decent player (Connor Salmon) we were awful in the first half very disjointed. The couple of occasions we got through for a shot on goal we played pass and move though the centre of midfield.

The second half was marginally better but why KD stayed on the pitch for so long is beyond me as he moved slower and slower (could not miss for the goal from 3 yards out) Eagles was by far the best outfield player and deserved his goal which he scored running down the middle.

A few observations from last night SeniorKD is a spent force (don't let the goal fool you). Eagles best position is playing down the middle of the front man. Baby Davies is not interested so sell him now whilst we can get some money for him. Mills is the slowest most ponderous defender I have seen in a long time and not in the same league as Ream. We should play more of a passing game as it suits the players we have.

In summary we were lucky and will have to play much better on Friday to get anything from the game as Forest look a much better outfit!!

A lot of what you say may be right but whilst tactics clearly are important confidence and belief has a massive bearing on how effective any team can be.Lack of confidence encourages taking the easy option tactic.Even when they know it will fail it's safer than taking on individual responsibility. The two go hand in hand.

[boltonboris]

It was a pretty dreadful match last night. A clear lack of quality and confidence from both teams. But a win is a win and the clean sheet is a platform for us.

I'd still like us to play another body in the centre of the park, but if we don't have that player, then we need to graft like hell in a 4-4-2, which in the second half, we did.

First half was as poor a game as I've seen in a decade.

[boltonboris]

Also must comment on the Derby keeper and defence time wasting from the opening minute, but then again, our lads werent in a massive hurry to get the game going again.

[2399]

Yay!! Bolton Won!!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNWtz2xwPfg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gary the Enfield]

Goals from last night

http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/bolton-2-derby-0/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

8 seconds in. Does the commentator call us 'The Seagulls' ?

[TKIZ!]

Went to the game last night 17k on, The usual comedy stylings of Derby fans singing 'empty seats' chant.

Positives:
Clean sheet
Eagles, Chungy and Mavies had a great game
Afobe looks very handy and but for two great saves by Fielding could have made it 3/4-0
Matt Mills does look like Gerry Taggart reincarnate, thumping tackles but no pace what so ever
Super Kev won header after header last night

Negatives:
Some of the fans were more disgruntled at us scoring than they would have been losing
We resorted to long ball because the midfield were not showing enough
Booing when taking Sordell off, Sordell hadn't done much in my opinion so Coyle really did make the right choice
WE really, really need a defensive, ball winning/playing midfield

Other than that it was a pretty nerve-wrecking night

[Whookam]

Goals from last night

http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/bolton-2-derby-0/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

8 seconds in. Does the commentator call us 'The Seagulls' ?

Yes, yes he does.

[Bruce Rioja]

"Yes, Nigel. Two!"

[bobo the clown]

I'm just pleased that, with other results going our way, it's back in our own hands.

I wish I had said that !!

[truewhite15]

Happy with the win, but I'm hoping that we can show in the Forest game that we have improved, and that this wasn't just an aberration.

Lets start from the back, shall we?

Bogdan - Didn't look overly confident, but did what he needed to and kept a clean sheet. The cries of the crowd to throw it short were genius, and finally worked - at last, Ricketts turned around to look for it. Problem was, he then passed it back to Adam, who booted it long. More throwing out, less booting required vs Forest. We look much better then.

Mears - "Mears has it...Mears has lost it." The mantra of last night. Woeful distribution, and I'm not entirely certain that him and Mills have ever seen each other. The number of times the ball came between the two of them in the first half was criminal. Either play Riley or Ricketts here next time out, please.

Mills - Ridiculously slow. Painfully slow. Dangerously slow. Grew into the match when he started attacking the first ball instead of letting it bounce; a mistake that lead a few times in the first half to Derby having decent chances.

Knight - Our best defender. Says a little something about how far we've fallen. He's still got a fifty-pence head though.

Ricketts - A shadow of last season. Poor distribution, probably helped out a bit by the fact that Derby kept targeting our right flank.

Overall, the defence was poor. Too many times, Derby would be attacking, and the back line would be a disorganised and confusing mess. Better teams WILL punish us for that if we don't improve.

Chungy - Looks like he's getting back to his best. One of our most exciting players, linked up well with the strikers, threatened the goal a couple of times. He will score plenty in this division, given the opportunity.

Andrews - Didn't impress himself upon the game in any blindingly obvious way, but went about his job quietly. We would have known about it if he wasn't in the midfield.

Sparky - Much better. Looked to make himself available. Can still improve.

Eagles - Grew into it. Excellent in the last half an hour, when we were on top. Well taken goal. His pace was a threat to Derby - when he could be arsed running.

The midfield still needs to give the defence more protection for me. There was a couple of times, especially first half, where the midfield went awol while the Rams ran straight through the middle. This needs to change, and fast.

Super Kev - Played quite well. Won every single header, though far too often there was nobody around to pick up the second ball, and looked slightly more comfortable with the ball at his feet. Good goal.

Sordell - This boy will be a huge asset in the weeks to come. His pace worried Derby, and he seemed to link up well with Chungy. I wouldn't have taken him off for Afobe, especially as we were just starting to play the ball on the ground, but I suppose the decision was vindicated.

Afobe - Promising. Very good movement, and with a little more luck, he could have bagged himself a couple of goals.

One thing I will say. Our set pieces. Painfully predictable. We aim it to the back stick, in the hope that one of Davies, Knight or Mills will head it back across the six yard box to be poked home. It never, ever works. Why do we never get people making runs to the near post?