Wigan Athletic (H)

[desperado]

4 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Agreed with all of that about Simons in particular, he's precisely what we've needed in midfield for years and god knows how we got him so cheap, and so young. 

Re Sheehan, I would throw a bit of criticism in here for SS, I thought it was crying out for him to come on and do exactly what he did, much earlier.  It was obvious once Wigan scored how the game was going - we lost all momentum and nobody could pass to a white shirt for 10 minutes.  A 2nd Wigan goal with 20 odd minutes left wouldn't have been a surprise and would have been very very shit!  Especially with Johnston seemingly out of it and handing them corners every 2 minutes.  Sheehan to come on and restore order looked a no-brainer and god knows why SS left it so long, he brings a composure and accuracy of passing the others bar Simons don't have.  

I was really surprised that first change didn’t sure things up in midfield by bringing Sheehan on and for 10 mins before that and 5 mins after we lost some impetus. 

But I did think we got the upper hand again even before that third change while Burstow and Dalby were on. I commented at the time that while I didn’t agree with it, keeping it 4-4-2 meant we controlled the ball more in their half than ours.

But when Sheehan eventually came on he did calm things down and very much helped maintain control, so I can see why it’s a discussion point.

But not a significant one, especially when SS got so many things right both in preparation and on the day 

[bolton va va]

2 hours ago, Eddie said:

Knew I’d seen someone put odds up for 4-1. Did you back it?

Yep,, money towards my new speedboat made a great day even sweeter.......& i've got quite a big ( for me )pre season bet on us to finish top 6 @ 13/10 which i,m feeling very optimistic about today !!

[Johnnyrotten]

6 hours ago, Ani said:

I like Simons and Erhahon as a pair, they are not going to score many but they do mean the full backs can push up and with the wingers looking dangerous it has a good feel it.

Forss made a real difference yesterday not just the goals he scored but he did lots of things quickly so there lots of pressure on their defence and midfield , third goal was prime example. 
 

Also agree on the impact from the bench but it could have happened quite a bit earlier. It is asking a lot of a 2 to dominate for 90 minutes especially when other teams react and increase their numbers in there. 
 

Team next week will be interesting, SS has talked a lot about horses for courses but surely best way to get a run of wins is to stick with the team that worked so well yesterday. 

Agree with all of that apart from the last bit.  SS will pick his team to beat Northampton away which is a different task to beating Wigan at home (presumably - I don't have a clue how they play etc).  I've never been one for not changing a winning team, as it implies we couldn't do certain things better and that the opposition will play exactly the same way.  Starting with Forss as a 2nd striker more often than not does seem a no-brainer but the likes of Toal, Taylor and Sheehan wouldn't weaken any team in this league and in certain aspects would strengthen us.

[Johnnyrotten]

4 hours ago, paulhanley said:

There is a phenomenon known for decades in rugby league circles as "the Wigan walk". It happened when the egg chasing pie eaters were being hammered. It involved fans streaming for the exits much earlier than those of other teams ever would, even in the harshest circumstances.

This was clearly a cross-code thing that came special to our benighted neighbouring town. It was  observable at Springfield Park - not least given they had to walk from their side terrace all the way around the goal opposite the away end to get out. Such was the layout of that particular shithole.

Given our win in April was a last minute do and only 0-1 there was no chance of inducing the Wigan walk. We had obviously not done it for a good while before that. The youngest generation of BWFC may not have witnessed it before. It is always a pleasure to see them scuttling for the exits in a hurry to get back to the tracksuit bottom mecca of the universe. Hangdog expressions galore.

I enjoy reading your posts and rarely take any issue with any, but the phrase "kettle calling the pot black" springs to mind 😀  we have to be as bad as any crowd for leaving early, I wasn't at Wigan when we lost 5-2 but did anyone stay till the end?  I know I would have been back in my car before the 5th!

I do remember that strange thing at Springfield Park where the side terrace virtually emptied and everyone headed to behind the goal before the end.  It was similar at Bury when they had terraces, most home ends could only leave in the corner next to the main stand and they all started walking towards it from about the 80th minute. 

[Dr. Feelgood]

48 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

...   It was similar at Bury when they had terraces, most home ends could only leave in the corner next to the main stand and they all started walking towards it from about the 80th minute. 

In my youth my uncle played for Bury for a while. Not top level regular but nonetheless.

They had a 'Children's Stand' on a corner.

Also, segregation was a lose concept and fans could move around at half time to be at their attacking end in both halves.

I also remember the chaos when a penalty was awarded & dozens of kids would run to get behind the goal.

Different times.

Edited September 21 by Dr. Feelgood

[Johnnyrotten]

8 hours ago, frank_spencer said:

Burnley and Preston don't register as rivals anywhere near as much as Tranmere never mind Wigan. They sit in the Oldham/Rochdale/City bracket of local teams I've got no real dislike of.

They just don't generate the same level of bile as Wigan, Blackburn, Bury or United.

My formative years of getting into local rivalries was the 80s, and Burnley were the big rivals, once we stopped playing Blackburn (83).  Burnley was a massive game, especially away, I still remember the goals we scored at Turf Moor and the atmosphere generated in that massive terrace.  I would put it up there with any memory supporting Bolton in terms of passionate support, and I always have Burnley down as the place I'd love to go to and win (but its not happened for decades).  It was also the place that was "moodiest" and you just expected it to kick off pre and post match, with loads of in-game incidents too.  I don't think any other local game has that effect, even Blackburn or Wigan.

I'm going back to pre-Reebok days but the anti-Burnley feeling remains for me.

[Eagle85]

The good

The setup of the starting 11. Skill and pace in the wingers, great effort in support from the fullbacks, enough skill and physicality from the front 2. Backed up by 2 solid centre mids.

Forss instead of Randall made a huge difference, could hit it to him earlier with his improved physicality, him doubled up with Burstow down the middle gave them a problem and narrowing their defence to solve it left more room for our wingers, also improved goal scoring threat getting in the box which will benefit our wide players when crossing. Even did a great job pinning defenders and laying it off which was a great surprise.

Smashing Wigan obviously. They were slightly time wasting at 2 or 3-0 down which showed just how much of a pasting that was.

The bad

Still look a bit dodgy defending set pieces. Relied on Forino a lot who was magnificent, keeper still a bit unconvincing.

Bringing Dalby on up front stunted our ability to counter and maybe score more when 4-0/1 up, although I understand that the minutes in such a big game will help him get up to speed.

[Johnnyrotten]

18 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

In my youth my uncle played for Bury for a while. Not top level regular butt nonetheless.

They had a 'Children's Stand' on a corner.

Also segregation was a lose concept and fans could move around at half time to be attheir attacking end in both halves.

I also remember the chaos when a penalty was awarded & opens of kids would run to get behind the goal.

Different times.

Yes that "boys stand" in the corner 😀 obviously girls weren't allowed.

Even when Gigg Lane had the away end segregated in the 80s (half of Cemetry and a terrace under main stand), the "singers" spent the first half at Cemetry End then moved to the opposite, Manchester Rd end, for the 2nd half.  (I went to a few games when not watching BW in the days before they started beating us!).

[Lt. Aldo Raine]

What's great about Forss is that he can play both the No. 10 role and the second striker role simultaneously

Kind of like a hybrid, best of both worlds thing

[boltonboris]

I didn’t realise Dalby was a lefty. He looked like a broken robot trying to get the ball onto his left foot inside the box yesterday. He does look a bit laborious and will need the chances creating for him 

With the right service I’m sure he’s a good finisher though 

[Ani]

1 hour ago, Eagle85 said:

The good

The setup of the starting 11. Skill and pace in the wingers, great effort in support from the fullbacks, enough skill and physicality from the front 2. Backed up by 2 solid centre mids.

Forss instead of Randall made a huge difference, could hit it to him earlier with his improved physicality, him doubled up with Burstow down the middle gave them a problem and narrowing their defence to solve it left more room for our wingers, also improved goal scoring threat getting in the box which will benefit our wide players when crossing. Even did a great job pinning defenders and laying it off which was a great surprise.

Smashing Wigan obviously. They were slightly time wasting at 2 or 3-0 down which showed just how much of a pasting that was.

The bad

Still look a bit dodgy defending set pieces. Relied on Forino a lot who was magnificent, keeper still a bit unconvincing.

Bringing Dalby on up front stunted our ability to counter and maybe score more when 4-0/1 up, although I understand that the minutes in such a big game will help him get up to speed.

They had 16 corners and did not score off them. We are allowed to rely on our players, tbf they are just doing their job. 

[Ani]

Any extended highlights ? 

[Casino]

 

[Ani]

11 minutes ago, Casino said:

 

Ta

[frank_spencer]

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

My formative years of getting into local rivalries was the 80s, and Burnley were the big rivals, once we stopped playing Blackburn (83).  Burnley was a massive game, especially away, I still remember the goals we scored at Turf Moor and the atmosphere generated in that massive terrace.  I would put it up there with any memory supporting Bolton in terms of passionate support, and I always have Burnley down as the place I'd love to go to and win (but its not happened for decades).  It was also the place that was "moodiest" and you just expected it to kick off pre and post match, with loads of in-game incidents too.  I don't think any other local game has that effect, even Blackburn or Wigan.

I'm going back to pre-Reebok days but the anti-Burnley feeling remains for me.

I'm about a decade or so after you for formative years only got about 5 years of burden in before we moved. My 1st trip to Burnley was stood in with the Burnley fans and my brothers mate and his dad. Timings probably lead to me viewing Blackburn as the main local rivals and cementing my deep dislike of Tranmere and Wolves.

Anyone under 30 probably views Wigan as our main rivals, due to the frequency of games compared to other local sides.

[TM Trotter]

1 hour ago, frank_spencer said:

Anyone under 30 probably views Wigan as our main rivals, due to the frequency of games compared to other local sides.

I'm early 30s and I always had our main rivals as Blackburn, then Wigan. The whole Tranmere thing passed me by, and Burnley didn't register til we pinched Coyle off them. 

But, what confirmed it for me was on my stag, when the lads put me in a (very tight) Rovers kit. While they got the bite they wanted, I realised I'd have been absolutely fucking fuming if they put me in a stripey monstrosity with that ridiculous tree/crown logo. Cannot stand them. 

 

Oh go on then... 

[bolty58]

3 hours ago, TM Trotter said:

I'm early 30s and I always had our main rivals as Blackburn, then Wigan. The whole Tranmere thing passed me by, and Burnley didn't register til we pinched Coyle off them. 

But, what confirmed it for me was on my stag, when the lads put me in a (very tight) Rovers kit. While they got the bite they wanted, I realised I'd have been absolutely fucking fuming if they put me in a stripey monstrosity with that ridiculous tree/crown logo. Cannot stand them. 

 

Oh go on then... 

Kinell. Favvers an advert for milk.

Hope you're getting more sun these days 

 

[boltonboris]

Little relevance to the game, but there’s a bench cam thing going round social media, where the camera was focused on the bench for each goal. One thing that was telling was McAtee behind the dugout celebrating each goal like a fan. Nice to see 

[Whitesince63]

55 minutes ago, boltonboris said:

Little relevance to the game, but there’s a bench cam thing going round social media, where the camera was focused on the bench for each goal. One thing that was telling was McAtee behind the dugout celebrating each goal like a fan. Nice to see 

Let’s hope it pushes him on to improve then because he has to up his contribution to get back even on the bench at the moment. When Demps and Will Forrester are back and fit would that put us over our allowable first team squad limit and we’ve still Victor to come back yet?

[frank_spencer]

13 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

Let’s hope it pushes him on to improve then because he has to up his contribution to get back even on the bench at the moment. When Demps and Will Forrester are back and fit would that put us over our allowable first team squad limit and we’ve still Victor to come back yet?

Nope they're all registered even Vic.

[Tonge moor green jacket]

3 hours ago, bolty58 said:

Kinell. Favvers an advert for milk.

Hope you're getting more sun these days 

 

[Cheese]

1 hour ago, boltonboris said:

Little relevance to the game, but there’s a bench cam thing going round social media, where the camera was focused on the bench for each goal. One thing that was telling was McAtee behind the dugout celebrating each goal like a fan. Nice to see 

 

[Popeye doyle]

16 hours ago, Whitesince63 said:

Simons is absolutely top level, there’s no doubt that and what a bargain he was but spare a thought for another class act in Sarce who after getting Bradford promoted last year is now pushing them for promotion again. Considering he’s already done it with Plymouth, ourselves and Stockport before Bradford it makes you wonder where we’d be if we’d have got rid of Evatt instead and kept Sarce? He may not be everyone’s cup of tea but you can’t deny he’s a winner and I see Xav in a similar light.

Great point this. It can’t be a fluke when it’s happened so many times.

I wonder what kind of reception he’ll get when he rocks up, I hope it’s favourable from our lot.

[bwfc2003]

7 minutes ago, Popeye doyle said:

Great point this. It can’t be a fluke when it’s happened so many times.

I wonder what kind of reception he’ll get when he rocks up, I hope it’s favourable from our lot.

Are you taking the piss??

[Popeye doyle]

1 minute ago, bwfc2003 said:

Are you taking the piss??

No, why?