Bolton Wanderers vs Toffeemen

[hisroyalgingerness]

Yeah overall was a good performance and good result. Solid at the back, don't think we were ever troubled there. Had a decent amount of possession, were quite patient and whilst a few things didn't quite come off we generally attacked quite well.

Knight being out for 2-3 weeks isn't ideal but at least we've got a strong replacement and someone who is looking to win a place in the team. So hopefully we can look to get some more clean sheets.

Remain unconvinced about employing Mandy on either wing. Whether Wigan will represent a chance to experiment (though did we decide Danny boy is cuptied?) who knows but I'd rather we had Lee starting on the right and one of our 3 left footers out on the left wing.

[TANGODANCER]

Had a fantastic stream on Maged TV, but oh, the commentators. First Everton attack after our 2nd gola brought "Looks like a comeback on the way if Everton can just get a goal"?????

And the "all ball has to cross the line" is the rule. It didn't and the goal (besides being a cracker) was legitimate. Matters not, 2-0, 3 points and we played with some guts and spirit. Maybe a few too many of our balls into their box going ariel, but what the hell? Twas Everton, and Moyes face said it all, that and the toffee fans streaming out. Do nicely.

[James B]

best defensive performance i've seen us give in a while. although i think everton were woeful in the final third and i'm glad saha wasn't playing (anichebe is terrible).

holden & mavies were nice in the centre. elmander, davies & sturridge were on the periphary a lot. the latter is just what we needed though really. don't suppose there is any hope we can stump up the cash for him permanently?

[General Mannerheim]

Holdens goal was definitely NOT legit. Great game tho, but ill never know how Elmander lasted 90 mins! he was pretty useless, honestly believe if chungy had started there we'd be talking about a four or five niller!

[sidewaysmove]

Alan Green!

From the moment he took over commentary, he got stuck into us.
Straight away saying we didn't deserve the lead, that the weather was awful, slagging the drummers off etc etc!
Why is the guy so anti Bolton Wanderers?
Is he paid to commentate, impartially. Or to constantly slag off Bolton Wanderers...?

[TANGODANCER]

holden & mavies were nice in the centre. elmander, davies & sturridge were on the periphary a lot. the latter is just what we needed though really. don't suppose there is any hope we can stump up the cash for him permanently?

We haven't quite got used to his pace yet. He needs those balls threaded through. Three goal already and once he slots in properly he could be dynamite. Having a bit of depthin the squad is paying off. Thought Wheater was quite composed on the ball today and thank the Lord we got him. OC was ectatic at Sturridge's goal, I was more composed too, I only knocked a chair three yards and frightened the dog half to death.

[midnitefooty]

lol@ korean commentary:
"It seems Sturridge hasn't been with the team long enough to realise that CYL is the team's ace" after Sturridge neglects to pass to an open CYL on the wing.

Elmo can argue with him all he wants but the fact is the Savior is playing better than him atm.

[seanworth]

Alan Green!

From the moment he took over commentary, he got stuck into us.
Straight away saying we didn't deserve the lead, that the weather was awful, slagging the drummers off etc etc!
Why is the guy so anti Bolton Wanderers?
Is he paid to commentate, impartially. Or to constantly slag off Bolton Wanderers...?

So who did deserve the lead, Everton? They were dire.

Regardless that game was the first time in a while that we started looking like we are heading back in the right direction again,

[truewhite15]

Just got back, a very comfortable performance, I thought. SKD had his best game for ages, Wheater was very solid, as was Cahill, Ricketts and Robbo were as combative as usual. Sturridge - a little greedy sometimes, but who can complain when he comes up with goals like that? Holden and Sparky seem to have finally knitted together a partnership in the middle as well.

The weak link has to be our wide men. Elmander was AWOL far too many times - he's not meant to play out wide. Taylor was marginally better than he has been, but his final ball is still, in the main, woeful. Problem is, Petrov isn't much better.

All in all, a very good performance though.

[plymouth wanderer]

i was slating elmo but i fought he worked his socks of second half MOM could of gone to a few players (kevin davies holden cahill sturrige) but IMO mark davies should of got it
jussi was quick of his line all day and wheater will get a good crack at the starting and i am hoping he grabs it with both hands tho i wish knight a speedy recovery he just scares the shit out of me fought he was gonna give them a penalty
really got stop with so many of the long balls it just invites the oppistion on to us
and davo was back to his best i have been a big critic of his lately but fought he led from the front hope he carries on that way

[Choppers]

So much more like the start of the season. Hope this form continues.

Absolutely agree with this sentiment!

Elmander was much better when he went to the left, but in all honesty, I couldn't fault any of our side today.

Wheater was *outstanding* when he came on, looked class. Certainly not a Zat Knight style of player, looks comfortable on the ball and can pass, just like Cahill, who was also superb.

Mark Davies was, for me, man of the match. Along with Holden he bossed the midfield and he looks a really astute signing.

I thought Coyle got everything right today, subs were spot on as well as although Taylor had played well, he looked tired. My only criticism...he *will not* sub Super Kev. He looked exhausted 10 minutes from time, having had his best game in a month, chased every ball and led by example, could have given him 10 minutes off, pushed Elmo up top with Danny and brought Petrov on.

Jussi had his best match in ages too! His distribution was great and he was quick to throw it short quite often too. He also commanded his line/box better than I've seem him do for a while.

For the first time in a long while we have a serious squad headache! Quality in all positions!

Cahill with Knight OR Wheater.

Elmander, Sturridge, Davies...and if they all play, Petrov, Taylor or Lee loses out!

Great weekend tbh!

EDIT: One other complaint! Taylor is a fantastic taker of free kicks, but when they are so obviously in a position for a right footer, Coyle needs to instruct him to step aside and let Mark Davies or Holden take it.

[Harry Genshaw]

Just got back, a very comfortable performance, I thought. SKD had his best game for ages, Wheater was very solid, as was Cahill, Ricketts and Robbo were as combative as usual. Sturridge - a little greedy sometimes, but who can complain when he comes up with goals like that? Holden and Sparky seem to have finally knitted together a partnership in the middle as well.

The weak link has to be our wide men. Elmander was AWOL far too many times - he's not meant to play out wide. Taylor was marginally better than he has been, but his final ball is still, in the main, woeful. Problem is, Petrov isn't much better.

All in all, a very good performance though.

Pretty much concur with all that but I dont understand why Taylor comes in for so much stick on here. Thought he was fine today. Elmo's distribution was shocking but as a team we looked more of a threat with him on the wing than we have done with Petrov lately

[Choppers]

Pretty much concur with all that but I dont understand why Taylor comes in for so much stick on here. Thought he was fine today. Elmo's distribution was shocking but as a team we looked more of a threat with him on the wing than we have done with Petrov lately

Taylor and Robinson are a fine partnership, Taylor did nothing wrong today.

[plymouth wanderer]

Just got back, a very comfortable performance, I thought. SKD had his best game for ages, Wheater was very solid, as was Cahill, Ricketts and Robbo were as combative as usual. Sturridge - a little greedy sometimes, but who can complain when he comes up with goals like that? Holden and Sparky seem to have finally knitted together a partnership in the middle as well.

The weak link has to be our wide men. Elmander was AWOL far too many times - he's not meant to play out wide. Taylor was marginally better than he has been, but his final ball is still, in the main, woeful. Problem is, Petrov isn't much better.

All in all, a very good performance though.

Pretty much concur with all that but I dont understand why Taylor comes in for so much stick on here. Thought he was fine today. Elmo's distribution was shocking but as a team we looked more of a threat with him on the wing than we have done with Petrov lately

same here i thought taylor played well at the time i thought elmo should of come off but give elmo his due he worked his socks of and helped out the full backs well
mark davies was immense he was everywhere he is so quick if he can keep hold of his place and carry on like he did today he would be a good shout for england the most naturaly gifted footballer we have at the club

[seanworth]

Before the game I thought either Elmo or Davies should have been rested, and wasn't too happy with M. Davies as I thought Everton would push him around. Guess that's why I'm not the manager.

[jaffka]

happy with the performance, 3 points and another clean sheet

we have a new goal machine

[William the White]

Very happy. Dominated the first half. Came under pressure in the second and handled it well. Cahill deserved his MotM. Wheater was a nice, calm presence as well. and passes the ball much better than Knight. Our central midfield had their best of the season. Holden excellent from the start, Davies getting better as the game went on. they all worked hard - inc Taylor and Elmander.

Sturridge doesn't believe in passing the ball. Pity. Great goal and showed his striking instinct on other occasions also. But he'll be frustrating until he decides it's a team game, and he wants to be in the team.

Alan Green on 606 on the way home was commiserating with Everton fans claiming that 'they certainly didn't deserve to lose'... incredible.

No defeats by the bogey men this season, and only a few seconds away from a double. Nice. couldn't have happened to a nicer club. Very unlikely, but if they went down the champagne would be on me!!!

[RobbieSavagesLeg]

This about feeling good a had I.


Clean sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
Positive goal difference.
8th place.
Strong backup team in most postitions.


What more could a Boltonian want for Valentines day?

[Odelay]

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Goals

[BWFC_Insane]

Better. Everton were total wank though so not sure how good we actually were.

Wheater looks very good on this evidence. Much better than Knight on first assessments against Wigan in the cup and again today. Attacks the ball well and has more than just a big hoof, but does that when required too.

Can't agree at all about folk saying Elmander had a poor game. His job was to make runs across the back four which he did very well first half. Secondly it was to stop Baines, Evertons main threat this season and one of the best attacking full backs in the league from doing damage. He did that well, apart from once when Cahill should have scored and Coyle gave Elmo a roasting for that. But other than that I liked the shape he gave the side and for a striker to play out there and do such a good job against Baines, Kudos.

Hard to pick MOTM but I'd go along with those saying Mark Davies. Very gutsy and I've been critical of him before. Holden very good again, looked a bit tired at the end and no wonder.

Full backs looked better too.

Oh and I've been critical of him recently but SKD had a stormer. Still frustrated a couple of times not playing the ball quick enough but he lead from the front today something he's not done of late.

I like the shape of the team we have more outballs and generally look more threatening.

Oh and finally, Dowd, what an inconsistent referee he is. He seemed determined to let the game go, which is no bad thing, but then gave free kicks for absolutely nothing. Odd, odd performance.