Bolton - Wet Spam

[truewhite15]

Alonso started very shakily, but grew more confident, and thus more accomplished, as the game went on. I definitely don't feel too bad about him filling in for Robbo.

[Worthy4England]

Are you a leftbackophobe Worthy?

No

But he was awful for the first 30 minutes.

He took most of the free-kicks on our left first half and without exception, got them as near to the target as Moo.

[Lord Kangana]

So a tough choice for you then...

Robinson or Alonso?

[Worthy4England]

So a tough choice for you then...

Robinson or Alonso?

Robinson every time...

[Lord Kangana]

At the moment, and for the forseeable future its the right choice. For me Alonso's main downfall is a distinct lack of experience, particularly in the Premier League. That will come. I do believe he has a future though. I was particularly pleased by the growing understanding of the two down the left today though.

[Hoboh]

At the moment, and for the forseeable future its the right choice. For me Alonso's main downfall is a distinct lack of experience, particularly in the Premier League. That will come. I do believe he has a future though. I was particularly pleased by the growing understanding of the two down the left today though.

I think his wayward passing might be against him just yet but I can see the future in him given time in a settled top ten team

[BWFC_Insane]

Can't see what Alonso has personally. Looks awkward in possession and out of it. Is slow and a bit cumbersome and to be honest doesn't look like a defender full stop. Perhaps he'll grow with time but I'm struggling to see the ability as opposed to say Rodrigo who has bags of talent and its a question of him channeling it right and learning the physical side of the game.

[Worthy4England]

Can't see what Alonso has personally. Looks awkward in possession and out of it. Is slow and a bit cumbersome and to be honest doesn't look like a defender full stop. Perhaps he'll grow with time but I'm struggling to see the ability as opposed to say Rodrigo who has bags of talent and its a question of him channeling it right and learning the physical side of the game.

I'm sort of there too, but agree with the others that he grew into the game. But let's face it there ain't going to be too many more that easy...

On t'other side of the coin, he's only young and I'm not convinced he's too slow..he just runs to the wrong place a lot.

[Mar]

I'm sure we'll start seeing the best out of Alonso when we manage to find another scapegoat. At the moment everyones looking at his particular performances and comparing him to Robbo and the rest of the team when in reality he's finding his feet in this league (whereas Robbo has plenty of experience and as a result looks more composed). I'm sure he'll get the experience, he's certainly got the right qualities to cut it at this level but whether he can learn all he needs in order to thrive we will have to see.

[Lord Kangana]

What particularly f*cked me off about MOTD tonight was the conclusion that the only difference between the teams was Sturridge. The implication being that without him it was evenly matched.

What bollox. We were 1-11 streets ahead of them for the majority. But they've always got to find an angle, haven't they?

[hisroyalgingerness]

I thought Marcos had a decent game. First 15 ('kin first half hour, what game you lot watching?) mins were scratchy - he let some balls go over the top of him that he maybe should have headed and didn't track a few runners, but I thought he grew into it. He made some decent blocks in the second half when they got into and overall you will struggle to name an attack which got through him.

In possession I think he's way ahead of Robbo. His crossing is decent and he linked up well with Petrov.

End of the day, anybody coming into the season at this stage with so few games under his belt is going to be a bit short of match fitness. To not only be fit physically but also to be tuned into the pace of the game and to react and make decisions.

[TANGODANCER]

What particularly f*cked me off about MOTD tonight was the conclusion that the only difference between the teams was Sturridge. The implication being that without him it was evenly matched.

What bollox. We were 1-11 streets ahead of them for the majority. But they've always got to find an angle, haven't they?

Come on LK, it's MOTD. Linnekar wouldn't include us at all if he could get away with it. We never play well, other teams just play badly when we win. And it is World Cup winners West Ham after all.

[William the White]

What particularly f*cked me off about MOTD tonight was the conclusion that the only difference between the teams was Sturridge. The implication being that without him it was evenly matched.

What bollox. We were 1-11 streets ahead of them for the majority. But they've always got to find an angle, haven't they?

So feckin spot on right... the difference wasn't Sturridge it was eleven starters and three subs...

Oh, and just to say, Alonso had a good game... He really did...

[TANGODANCER]

It were a dire West Ham display what done it. Everybody knows how good the are and would normally "hammer" Bolton. Commentator even reminded the viewers that they beat us here in 1995.

[Verbal]

oh come on. I've heard a few MOTD moans in my time but ^this takes the biscuit.

Played well today. Clean sheet, solid performance against an uninspired West Ham side who got their tactics drastically wrong in the first half. Some very interesting decisions to make for next week.

[Lord Kangana]

Indeed. Someone had the temerity to suggest we play football.

No-one challenged this.

Some even agreed.

Martin Samuel's cold sweat has lost him 6 stone already.

Its all ok folks, you can breathe again. Normal service has been resumed.

Some loon on there is claiming they were the better team for the second half and could have won 5-3.

I'm not making it up, either.

[Verbal]

dunno if the attendance has been posted but it was 25,857.

Highest off the season? Certainly looked a good crowd.

[Lofthouse Lower]

Cracking performance from most of the side, though Steinsson did his best in the second half to let them back into it with his usual dreadful positioning. nice person.

Thought Elmander was lucky today, a few times caught too far up (only natural I suppose) and I guess he didn't do TOO much wrong.

Sturridge was class, should have scored five - makes a real difference having someone with proper pace up front, we'll miss him next week.

[DJBlu]

What particularly f*cked me off about MOTD tonight was the conclusion that the only difference between the teams was Sturridge. The implication being that without him it was evenly matched.

What bollox. We were 1-11 streets ahead of them for the majority. But they've always got to find an angle, haven't they?

So feckin spot on right... the difference wasn't Sturridge it was eleven starters and three subs...

Oh, and just to say, Alonso had a good game... He really did...

The difference Sturridge, he made it 3-0 without him 1-0.
The guy got MOTM and scored twice, it's quite obvious they are going to talk about him.
Christ they could have gone on about how bad West Ham were for 2 minutes. They spoke about a Bolton Player instead.
The team effort was great and we can see that, doesn't matter that others don't.
I think you've taken what Alan Shearer said to heart, Lawro put him right by saying Elmo and Davies are giving him the space to get into the positions and the ball to score the goals.
Lets just remember we beat a team 3-0 quite comfortably and lets leave the whinging for once.

[Lofthouse Lower]

Thought the captain was superb