Bolton Vs Chelsea

[Lofthouse Lower]

If we keep playing 4-4-2, we'll keep getting beat. We need an extra man in there. We get overrun too often, as we asking far too much of Holden and Muamba..

I'd like to see Stu, Mu and M. Davies as a middle 3 with Taylor / Petrov on one side and Moreno / Lee (when available) on the other.

Surely Coyle must see that our shite ball retention in the middle of the park is down to numbers... I know he wants to excite and 'play the right way' but every fecker in the world is shaping up with a 5 man midfield.. We're getting left behind and we're getting mullered

Agree with every word.

[BWFC_Insane]

Just one comment re our front two.

Elmander turned a few times and ran at defenders and tried to play some neat one twos around the edge of the box and out wide with Petrov.

Davies did the sum total of sweet FA.

If we're looking at them I'd certainly aim the scopes more at KD than Elmander, who whilst not at his best still carries a threat when he runs at centre halves .

I think that is being VERY generous to Elmander. He was even less of a goal threat than Davies - even when he had his (offside) one-on-one with that hat-wearing tit Cech. He looked scared of the ball at time.

I don't think either covered themselves in glory last night, but the only things KD did of note was miss a relatively easy chance early doors and then provide a nice assist for Chelsea's third!

I think Elmander released Petrov a couple of times and every time we looked even remotely and it was very remotely like getting any attacking impetus he was involved. I'm not trying to say they weren't both shite, but on relative levels of shiteness Davies was far worse than Elmander last night IMO!

[ohjimmyjimmy]

I'm glad we've got a shite-o-meter !

[boltonboris]

As an aside.. Petrov had the beating of Bosingwa last night, but he had the end product of a 9 year old Emmanuel Morini!

[BWFC_Insane]

As an aside.. Petrov had the beating of Bosingwa last night, but he had the end product of a 9 year old Emmanuel Morini!

Petrov is a waste of space.

[Lofthouse Lower]

Just one comment re our front two.

Elmander turned a few times and ran at defenders and tried to play some neat one twos around the edge of the box and out wide with Petrov.

Davies did the sum total of sweet FA.

If we're looking at them I'd certainly aim the scopes more at KD than Elmander, who whilst not at his best still carries a threat when he runs at centre halves .

I think that is being VERY generous to Elmander. He was even less of a goal threat than Davies - even when he had his (offside) one-on-one with that hat-wearing tit Cech. He looked scared of the ball at time.

I don't think either covered themselves in glory last night, but the only things KD did of note was miss a relatively easy chance early doors and then provide a nice assist for Chelsea's third!

I think Elmander released Petrov a couple of times and every time we looked even remotely and it was very remotely like getting any attacking impetus he was involved. I'm not trying to say they weren't both shite, but on relative levels of shiteness Davies was far worse than Elmander last night IMO!

No doubt - but they were equally bad.

As for the Davo 'assist', well granted he gave it away on the half-way line, but their lad ran through another four of our defenders before eventually scoring, so let's make sure that their 'contribution' isn't forgotten along the road.

[boltonboris]

He's fecking infuriating! You can see he's got it somewhere.. He just has no idea where!

[Bruno3]

I know everyone has an opinion and I do try to see the logic in other people's views (honest I do) but how some posters can think Knight had a good game just leaves me speechless.
Jussi was as dire as he has been all season, Cahill has got his head in the transfer cloud, Petrov's a chocolate teapot and Muamba treats a football like its a hot potato
I agree with earlier posts that we need to use 4-5-1 and the 1 has to be Elmander. SKD just isn't up to it any more he's been great in the past but times move on). Once the first goal went in (and I blame Jussi as I have watched replays several times and can't see any vicious movement o the ball - just a straight though hard shot and a flapping arm from a goalkeeper that wasn't ready for it.

[BWFC_Wyles]

If we keep playing 4-4-2, we'll keep getting beat. We need an extra man in there. We get overrun too often, as we asking far too much of Holden and Muamba..

I'd like to see Stu, Mu and M. Davies as a middle 3 with Taylor / Petrov on one side and Moreno / Lee (when available) on the other.

Surely Coyle must see that our shite ball retention in the middle of the park is down to numbers... I know he wants to excite and 'play the right way' but every fecker in the world is shaping up with a 5 man midfield.. We're getting left behind and we're getting mullered

I'd have to agree with Neil on that one. We were overrun last night in midfield and the way Elmander is playing, I'd drop him for another midfielder and just have SKD holding the ball up and laying it off to the on-coming Holden/Mavies...or dare I say SWP?

[Lofthouse Lower]

Knight has been poor for weeks - his love for the pointless upfield hoof really gets on my wick.

As for Davo, well, I love him as much as anyone but it's clear to see he's on his last legs in the top flight.

[Lofthouse Lower]

If we keep playing 4-4-2, we'll keep getting beat. We need an extra man in there. We get overrun too often, as we asking far too much of Holden and Muamba..

I'd like to see Stu, Mu and M. Davies as a middle 3 with Taylor / Petrov on one side and Moreno / Lee (when available) on the other.

Surely Coyle must see that our shite ball retention in the middle of the park is down to numbers... I know he wants to excite and 'play the right way' but every fecker in the world is shaping up with a 5 man midfield.. We're getting left behind and we're getting mullered

I'd have to agree with Neil on that one. We were overrun last night in midfield and the way Elmander is playing, I'd drop him for another midfielder and just have SKD holding the ball up and laying it off to the on-coming Holden/Mavies...or dare I say SWP?

Don't break the fourth wall!!!

[boltonboris]

If we keep playing 4-4-2, we'll keep getting beat. We need an extra man in there. We get overrun too often, as we asking far too much of Holden and Muamba..

I'd like to see Stu, Mu and M. Davies as a middle 3 with Taylor / Petrov on one side and Moreno / Lee (when available) on the other.

Surely Coyle must see that our shite ball retention in the middle of the park is down to numbers... I know he wants to excite and 'play the right way' but every fecker in the world is shaping up with a 5 man midfield.. We're getting left behind and we're getting mullered

I'd have to agree with Neil on that one. We were overrun last night in midfield and the way Elmander is playing, I'd drop him for another midfielder and just have SKD holding the ball up and laying it off to the on-coming Holden/Mavies...or dare I say SWP?

Agree with who?

[BWFC_Wyles]

If we keep playing 4-4-2, we'll keep getting beat. We need an extra man in there. We get overrun too often, as we asking far too much of Holden and Muamba..

I'd like to see Stu, Mu and M. Davies as a middle 3 with Taylor / Petrov on one side and Moreno / Lee (when available) on the other.

Surely Coyle must see that our shite ball retention in the middle of the park is down to numbers... I know he wants to excite and 'play the right way' but every fecker in the world is shaping up with a 5 man midfield.. We're getting left behind and we're getting mullered

I'd have to agree with Neil on that one. We were overrun last night in midfield and the way Elmander is playing, I'd drop him for another midfielder and just have SKD holding the ball up and laying it off to the on-coming Holden/Mavies...or dare I say SWP?

Agree with who?

Sorry, BORIS!

[BWFC_Insane]

Somehow I don't think dropping our top scorer is the way forwards.

We made the 4-4-2 work plenty this season, what we're lacking is that little bit of energy, spark and probably confidence right now.

Looking at our next two fixtures going one up front might be too negative. If we were to try it, I'd like to see Elmander on the right, Taylor on the left of KD up front.

[boltonboris]

Somehow I don't think dropping our top scorer is the way forwards.

We made the 4-4-2 work plenty this season, what we're lacking is that little bit of energy, spark and probably confidence right now.

Looking at our next two fixtures going one up front might be too negative. If we were to try it, I'd like to see Elmander on the right, Taylor on the left of KD up front.

I agree with that sentiment. But the same 4-4-2, is being nullified by every Tom, Dick and Harry!

We're becoming predicatble for the first time in a year!

[Lofthouse Lower]

Correct. It is OK to begin with, but we need a plan B for when plan A is being countered

[BWFC_Insane]

Somehow I don't think dropping our top scorer is the way forwards.

We made the 4-4-2 work plenty this season, what we're lacking is that little bit of energy, spark and probably confidence right now.

Looking at our next two fixtures going one up front might be too negative. If we were to try it, I'd like to see Elmander on the right, Taylor on the left of KD up front.

I agree with that sentiment. But the same 4-4-2, is being nullified by every Tom, Dick and Harry!

We're becoming predicatble for the first time in a year!

Aye but when we played 4-5-1 and had slumps exactly like this everyone called for 4-4-2 to change it. We never did and got back on track be re-doing the things we'd done earlier in the season.

For me same applies here at the minute. Its not the "system" but more a combination or a tricky run of games, a stretched squad, a few tired legs and a loss of confidence. I'm not sure switching to a 4-5-1 that wouldn't necessarily suit us would be the magic switch that changes our fortunes.

I think had we played 4-5-1 last night the result would have been exactly the same!

[TKIZ!]

We just looked very poor after that first 10mins, to a man we just didn't perform and Owen needs to rally the troops and show what he's made of.

[jonnyblease]

Steinsson was abolutely woeful last night, I much prefer Rickets in the RB position. Upfront we were toothless too, Jussi had an awful game although I don't think that warrants him to be dropped from the team.

We desperately need some new faces in January. Mavies looked lively when he came on least he ran at the Chelsea defence, prior to that every attack every player had their back to goal and we alway moved the ball gradually back.

I wanted to believe before the game we could hurt Chelsea but I knew deep down we wouldn't!

Oh and don't get me started on Petrov or Davies after that performance last night...

[Lofthouse Lower]

No, go on - I'm starting you on them....