Bolton v Spuds

[elfil76]

At the end, megson seems to be grudgingly acknowledged that bolton is better without him at the dugout... very awkward session indeed.

[Eborted]

A lot's been made of Petrov's goal but if Holden hadn't made that last ditch tackle a few second before I think the mood here would be somewhat more subdued. Well done to the lad

Yep, the lad was superb today and I think deserves to be mentioned in the same vein as Super Kev in regards to the win. To be honest not being a season ticket holder anymore (and being too broke to afford the occasional game) and now having a rubbish bandwidth I've not been able to see much of the man and thought that playing two fairly similar players in centre mid might not be the best idea but I've now been able to view his brilliance first hand and am converted.

Overall impressions...offensively we were superb, Spurs had no answers but I'm still worried about how leaky our defense seems. They should have got back in it well earlier. No one was really at fault for the second but the first was a disaster waiting to happen. Last week at Liverpool they had us on the ropes well before their goal. Not because they were outplaying us but because we looked so fecking shite at the back every time they ran at us. I have my concerns but if we can tighten up in this respect with Elmander and Davies on song and hopefully CYL performing as well as he did today on a consistent basis and Petrov remaining injury free I do see a top table finish at the end of the season.

[SonsOfThunder]

So, we're no longer domed then?

[Riviman]

At the end, megson seems to be grudgingly acknowledged that bolton is better without him at the dugout... very awkward session indeed.

Where was that?

[hisroyalgingerness]

A lot's been made of Petrov's goal but if Holden hadn't made that last ditch tackle a few second before I think the mood here would be somewhat more subdued. Well done to the lad

Indeed and then folk wouldn't have forgotten how shite the first half was

We're not meant to talk about negatives after a win

First 20 mins or so was a bit like last week. I felt Harry's switch to 4-4-2 in the 2nd half were what done it. Muamba and Holden can't cope with the crowded midfield and with more space in the second half we passed it much better.

Folk are gonna come here and pack the midfield, we're gonna have to suss it out

[thebish]

A lot's been made of Petrov's goal but if Holden hadn't made that last ditch tackle a few second before I think the mood here would be somewhat more subdued. Well done to the lad

Indeed and then folk wouldn't have forgotten how shite the first half was

We're not meant to talk about negatives after a win

First 20 mins or so was a bit like last week. I felt Harry's switch to 4-4-2 in the 2nd half were what done it. Muamba and Holden can't cope with the crowded midfield and with more space in the second half we passed it much better.

Folk are gonna come here and pack the midfield, we're gonna have to suss it out

we were not that shit in the first half - and we certainly weren't overwhelmed.. and - we ended that half 1-0 up (keeping a clean sheet)

[hisroyalgingerness]

That's poor logic and you know it There were parts of the first half that were akin to the Liverpool performance - it was ponderous, unimaginative, plagued with needlessly giving the ball away and poor Fabrice unable to risk through balls and slotting it back to Robbo instead.

The second half was a massive improvement, everything came off, we showed a bit of quality in the final third and got our rewards.

So I put it to you.

Good performance v Man Utd at home. What did they play? 4-4-2
Poor performance v Liverpool, what did they play? 4-5-1, and stuffed us for space.

Spurs 4-5-1 first half with 3 defensive midfielders. 4-4-2 in the second with neither Crouch or Pavy-doo-dah tracking back and pressuring.

We will find it tough I fear when people come with the intention of closing us out. See - Fulham H

[thebish]

That's poor logic and you know it There were parts of the first half that were akin to the Liverpool performance - it was ponderous, unimaginative, plagued with needlessly giving the ball away and poor Fabrice unable to risk through balls and slotting it back to Robbo instead.

The second half was a massive improvement, everything came off, we showed a bit of quality in the final third and got our rewards.

So I put it to you.

Good performance v Man Utd at home. What did they play? 4-4-2
Poor performance v Liverpool, what did they play? 4-5-1, and stuffed us for space.

Spurs 4-5-1 first half with 3 defensive midfielders. 4-4-2 in the second with neither Crouch or Pavy-doo-dah tracking back and pressuring.

We will find it tough I fear when people come with the intention of closing us out. See - Fulham H

yeah - ok - but then - most teams find that tough - that's why other teams do it!

[seanworth]

That's poor logic and you know it There were parts of the first half that were akin to the Liverpool performance - it was ponderous, unimaginative, plagued with needlessly giving the ball away and poor Fabrice unable to risk through balls and slotting it back to Robbo instead.

The second half was a massive improvement, everything came off, we showed a bit of quality in the final third and got our rewards.

So I put it to you.

Good performance v Man Utd at home. What did they play? 4-4-2
Poor performance v Liverpool, what did they play? 4-5-1, and stuffed us for space.

Spurs 4-5-1 first half with 3 defensive midfielders. 4-4-2 in the second with neither Crouch or Pavy-doo-dah tracking back and pressuring.

We will find it tough I fear when people come with the intention of closing us out. See - Fulham H

I thought that after the first 15 minutes or so we played pretty well. The second half we were fantastic. I had a Spurs fan in to watch the game. At half time I leaned over and said to him "hate to say it but we are a much better second half team so any chances of you stealing a point are out the window". He thought I was joking.

[hisroyalgingerness]

I know, and you know what, it might not be a problem in the next two home games, because I think both Newcastle and Blackpool will come and make a game of it. And nothing should take away from the overall performance, which ended up one of the best at the Bok for us against a top team.

[jaffka]

At the end, megson seems to be grudgingly acknowledged that bolton is better without him at the dugout... very awkward session indeed.

Where was that?

Yes, where was that?

[CrazyHorse]

At the end, megson seems to be grudgingly acknowledged that bolton is better without him at the dugout... very awkward session indeed.

Where was that?

Yes, where was that?

Look at it again, and elfil76 has put a title on his post of "Megson is the tv pundit on singapore tv last night". It makes more sense then.

[TANGODANCER]

Apart from the very dislikeable crisp-muncher on MOTD (who, as thebish wrote, just wanted to talk about Spurs. Given half a chance he would have made out that they gifted it to us and whined on about "What happened"?. Fortunately, he was put firmly in his place by Shearer who just told the truth) most of the reports I've seen gave us all the credit for a very good win. The People report states Bolton aren't impressed by overnight wonders, notes how well Bale was nullifed, raves about Davies and hopes Capello is taking notice, gave him a 9 as MOTM and give all our team 7 and above for performance and then fxxk it all up by giving Holden a " 6". WTF's that about?

First half we were taking on a high-flying side that just beat Inter Milan a few days ago and no, it wasn't a flying start, but certainly far from shxte. If Taylors shot had gone in, if Stensson's brilliant outside of the foot ball had been two inches lower etc... All that went by the board in a cracking game that we won on merit by a cracking second half .A draw against United, hard luck against Liverpool and a solid win against Spurs; a far cry from not too long ago for me. Far too early to worry about league positions, as so few points seperate it all, but a lot of pride and hope we haven't had in a while. Do for me.

[FaninOz]

Apart from the very dislikeable crisp-muncher on MOTD (who, as thebish wrote, just wanted to talk about Spurs. Given half a chance he would have made out that they gifted it to us and whined on about "What happened"?. Fortunately, he was put firmly in his place by Shearer who just told the truth) most of the reports I've seen gave us all the credit for a very good win. The People report states Bolton aren't impressed by overnight wonders, notes how well Bale was nullifed, raves about Davies and hopes Capello is taking notice, gave him a 9 as MOTM and give all our team 7 and above for performance and then fxxk it all up by giving Holden a " 6". WTF's that about?

First half we were taking on a high-flying side that just beat Inter Milan a few days ago and no, it wasn't a flying start, but certainly far from shxte. If Taylors shot had gone in, if Stensson's brilliant outside of the foot ball had been two inches lower etc... All that went by the board in a cracking game that we won on merit by a cracking second half .A draw against United, hard luck against Liverpool and a solid win against Spurs; a far cry from not too long ago for me. Far too early to worry about league positions, as so few points seperate it all, but a lot of pride and hope we haven't had in a while. Do for me.

Agreed, its the commitment and never say die attitude that will keep us up the league. Main problem is the goals against column, we need to find a way to keep clean sheets without boring the pants of everyone!

[Wandering Willy]

What a difference a year makes. A year ago we lost 5-1 to Villa on the back of 2 4-0 defeats to Chelsea. Team spirit was about as low as I can remember and we were effectively leaderless.

Yesterday I saw a team of players that would not give up and a game that I for one will remember for a long time. KD was outstanding (contrast P.Crouch) yesterday as was Steinsson, though I feel a bit guilty picking those two out when it's hard to fault anyone with a white shirt.

It's early days yet but the effort is there and, yes, so is the football. Not only that, we have a good bench with the likes of MDavies, Ivan, Ricketts, Petrov etc. I really think we have something going - after a long wait.

God I would just love this team to win something for themselves - might not be a cup but here's hoping we take a scalp or two this season.

[elfil76]

At the end, megson seems to be grudgingly acknowledged that bolton is better without him at the dugout... very awkward session indeed.

Where was that?

Yes, where was that?

Look at it again, and elfil76 has put a title on his post of "Megson is the tv pundit on singapore tv last night". It makes more sense then.

It is in for the premier league show in Asia.. megson was the pundit.

[thebish]

At the end, megson seems to be grudgingly acknowledged that bolton is better without him at the dugout... very awkward session indeed.

Where was that?

Yes, where was that?

Look at it again, and elfil76 has put a title on his post of "Megson is the tv pundit on singapore tv last night". It makes more sense then.

It is in for the premier league show in Asia.. megson was the pundit.

how does he get time for that while we are still employing him to do the gardens?

[Randy Watson]

Gutted i missed this one!

Sneeked away from work and caught the second half and what a belting half of footy. Holden is getting better and better. he is gonna be a legend if he sticks around with us!

chuffed to bits with the result but have to say the two spurs goals where awsome finishes! But feck the yids! White Army!!!

[thebish]

bugger - Newcastle have scored - which drops us to sixth (if they hang on - which, let's face it, is not gonna happen!)

[bristol_Wanderer3]

That's poor logic and you know it There were parts of the first half that were akin to the Liverpool performance - it was ponderous, unimaginative, plagued with needlessly giving the ball away and poor Fabrice unable to risk through balls and slotting it back to Robbo instead.

The second half was a massive improvement, everything came off, we showed a bit of quality in the final third and got our rewards.

So I put it to you.

Good performance v Man Utd at home. What did they play? 4-4-2
Poor performance v Liverpool, what did they play? 4-5-1, and stuffed us for space.

Spurs 4-5-1 first half with 3 defensive midfielders. 4-4-2 in the second with neither Crouch or Pavy-doo-dah tracking back and pressuring.

We will find it tough I fear when people come with the intention of closing us out. See - Fulham H

I thought we had the better of the game in the first half but Tottenham's 4-5-1 was poor. Sandro and Palacios were poor in midfield and Krancjar did not trouble Robbo. Their defence always looked like they would concede a goal or two as well.

It would be nice if OC had a game plan to deal with teams playing 4-5-1 against us. Birmingham was the real example of a mediocre team getting the better of us by playing that way, and Newcastle will definitely play that way, and by the looks of things at the moment (they are leading Arsenal 1-0) will do it well.

It seems at the moment that OC, is basically saying we have enough confidence in our 4-4-2 to beat any team playing any formation. You've got to admire that to some degree. It is going to be an interesting ride! Those who used to moan about grinding our way into european football not being entertaining enough can have no complaints now.