Now kicks off at 3:01

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25784214.bolton-wanderers-v-barnsley-3-01pm-kick-off-time-explained/

8 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

Early signs are that Barnsley’s new line up are passing it around well, so I hope we get the next goal just to put them back in their box.

Posted that 3 nil up just after HT and it serves to remind me that SS isn’t responding quick enough to on field changes of the game pattern. Should have made earlier subs instead of waiting until they’d pulled two back.

 

1 hour ago, Rival Son said:

CBT is not fully fit, yet. Only started one game for Derby since he did his hamstring on the opening day of the season, and completed just 268 minutes for Derby, before last Saturday.

it was clear he was cramping up, five minutes before he was subbed off. On that point, I thought Schumacher was slow to react to situations, today.

Tutu took the kick/bang to his knee, when attacking, five minutes before half time. He seemed uncomfortable for the remainder of the half. In the second half, it was again clear he was uncomfortable for some time before the substitution happened.

Fair play to the Barnsley manager for shaking it up in the second half. I think Schumacher was a bit slow to respond to a few situations, today.

Good summary.

And despite me generally backing and calling out criticism of SS, I think the points you raise are fair.

I’m also not sure I agree with SS  (who am I to criticise when his team have just won 3-2!) but I think he has tried to disrupt and spread out the subs and drag out that 2nd half as much as possible to ensure Barnsley didn’t gain any further momentum - and on reflection he got it right, we came out with 3 points, ensuring we were resolute enough to hold on. 

9 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

On another note I thought we 100% missed Sheehan in that 2nd half, and at Wimbledon, he was exactly the ingredient that was missing, the ability to remain calm, keep possession and to create opportunities.

First name on teamsheet in midfield at Lincoln if fit for me.

Disagree. Don't rate Sheehan as highly as some but thought Dempsey was sensational in that role for most of the game. He's far more dynamic and can put in a tackle. 

Another thought - am struggling to see any reason to start Simons soon. He looks scared. 

Interesting.

12 minutes ago, Kane57 said:

Disagree. Don't rate Sheehan as highly as some but thought Dempsey was sensational in that role for most of the game. He's far more dynamic and can put in a tackle. 

Another thought - am struggling to see any reason to start Simons soon. He looks scared. 

Dempsey’s great, until he’s not. First half is Dempsey at his best, box to box, combative, energy, front foot etc etc..

Second half though, when we came under pressure we looked wide open in the middle of the pitch. A combination of him still naturally wanting to get forward and support the forwards, and his legs going a bit meant that EE was basically left as a 1 man midfield when Barnsley now had 3 in there. It’s not Dempsey’s fault, he’s naturally an ‘8’ rather than a ‘6’, so sitting back and making it hard for teams to get through isn’t his game.

I’m a big fan of Dempsey and think he’s got loads to offer - personally I don’t think he takes the midfield role next to EE (who absolutely has solidified his starting place) off a fully fit Sheehan.

11 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Surely its human instinct to want the ball to hit your back/arse than the stomach/bollocks/face?

Players have gone off injured after being hit by the ball full on, I don't think I've ever seen anyone go off injured when its hit them from behind.  Seems logical and natural to want to minimise pain and injury.

I think you missed the "instinct" bit, together with the bit about needing to overcome the instinct.

 

11 hours ago, Marc505 said:

I actually think we wouldnt have had half the strife we did in that second half if Sheehan was on the pitch.

5 straight wins, and he's missed most of them.

Can spin it whichever way you want.

 

11 hours ago, Marc505 said:

I actually think we wouldnt have had half the strife we did in that second half if Sheehan was on the pitch.

When we're being overwhelmed on the counter attack time after time I fail to see how he makes any difference to that 

10 hours ago, BoltonPro15 said:

What makes you say he's sulking?

He wasn't great today, granted.

If somebody doesn't play well, are they just automatically sulking?

The way he didn't celebrate when we scored at Wigan.

He didn't chase any lost causes when he came on last week, his whole body language stank.

Same yesterday.

And of course the Samiyad in Cheeses garden suggests there was fallout behind the scenes and he's a had a right face on in training too.

 

56 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Dempsey’s great, until he’s not. First half is Dempsey at his best, box to box, combative, energy, front foot etc etc..

Second half though, when we came under pressure we looked wide open in the middle of the pitch. A combination of him still naturally wanting to get forward and support the forwards, and his legs going a bit meant that EE was basically left as a 1 man midfield when Barnsley now had 3 in there. It’s not Dempsey’s fault, he’s naturally an ‘8’ rather than a ‘6’, so sitting back and making it hard for teams to get through isn’t his game.

I’m a big fan of Dempsey and think he’s got loads to offer - personally I don’t think he takes the midfield role next to EE (who absolutely has solidified his starting place) off a fully fit Sheehan.

I wouldn’t sacrifice Dempsey’s “box to box, combative, energy, front foot” (and I would add his eye for goal, heading ability and set piece delivery which has been streets ahead of Sheehans floaty nonsense recently) at the start of a game when we need all those qualities to earn the right to play - and ideally grab an opening goal.

Sheehan has a role, but starting the game in a competitive match when the tone needs to be set? Not convinced.

7 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

Sheehan has a role, but starting the game in a competitive match when the tone needs to be set? Not convinced.

He achieved it at Wigan. With bells on. Would have got sent off twice in the first 10 minutes in any other game. 

45 minutes ago, Kane57 said:

When we're being overwhelmed on the counter attack time after time I fail to see how he makes any difference to that 

By controlling possession, slowing game down which means less turn overs and fewer counter attacks. 

10 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

There wasn't one second when I thought we'd be lucky to draw today.

The opposition are allowed to improve in the 2nd half, as Wimbledon did.

Credit to them both, when we have a bad 1st half we generally come out and improve 2nd half and often get late goals.  It works both ways, we are a L1 team we aren't going to thrash teams 1st half and 2nd half.

I don’t question any of that but at the time of my post we were being overrun and whilst you may not have worried I and I’m sure many others did. No need to make silly comments about it and it does your many sensible comments a disservice.

8 minutes ago, Mounts Kipper said:

By controlling possession, slowing game down which means less turn overs and fewer counter attacks. 

Correct. If he’d been on the bench yesterday I’d have had him on either at HT or certainly when they went 1-0 up.

Probably swapped him for Dempsey, who was on a booking.

Just to echo most on here from yesterday.

Fantastic first half, as good as we've been all season that. Good link up play at the top end of the pitch, looked ridiculously dangerous from set pieces. Only disappointment was that it was 5 or 6 at half time.

Second half less so, but not a total disaster. Gave Barnsley the impetus with that ropey 5 minute spell, couple of poor goals to concede but I thought we dug in well to see the game out. Shouldn't have needed to do that following on from the first half but 3 points are 3 points and at the minute that matters far and above performances. 

Bonham been solid couple of good saves yesterday (the one to keep at 3-2 late on very good). Erahahon has had some critics but I genuinley feel most weeks you're getting a 7/10 performance. Really pleased with him. McAtee best game for us in a long time, Dalby absolute unplayable. No-one would have thought that even 6 weeks ago after that game at Donny New Year's Day.

16 points from 18, still room to improve performance-wise, plenty of players to come back into the team from injury. full fitness etc and still grinding wins out. 

Huge game next Saturday.  A win puts us right in the mix for top 2. Linocln's next 8 games are a tough run, us, Cardiff, Stockport and Huddersfield in there, plus Mansfield A, Exeter A on a Tuesday nigh (the game in hand). A win for us could put that bit of doubt into them.

Happy Sunday!

 

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

The way he didn't celebrate when we scored at Wigan.

He didn't chase any lost causes when he came on last week, his whole body language stank.

Same yesterday.

And of course the Samiyad in Cheeses garden suggests there was fallout behind the scenes and he's a had a right face on in training too.

 

I think it's just his general demeanour, as opposed to being actually disinterested

Still cant get my head round how that linesman didn't give the handball from the keeper !

A lot of praise above for erahon and dempsey and rightly so in the main,   but they both need to tighten up on giving away a simple pass, even when doing the hard work and winning the ball then giving it away.   Dempsey cam carry on in this position and maybe it will be a horses for courses going forward with sheehan.

Extended highlights on YouTube

Watched them back 

Obviously Dalby motm 

But CBT stand out for for his pace and power and not fannying about 

And Apter for putting a ball into the box at the first opportunity

And Dempsey delivery

And McAtee mostly for choosing to celebrate against a former club

1 hour ago, Mounts Kipper said:

By controlling possession, slowing game down which means less turn overs and fewer counter attacks. 

And a bit less of the ball looking like a hot potato that nobody seemed to want to take control of

1 minute ago, Marc505 said:

And a bit less of the ball looking like a hot potato that nobody seemed to want to take control of

I’m really not seeing the alternative opinion on this debate.

One simple question - if Sheehan was on the bench yesterday, would SS have brought him on?

Of course he would. 

 

Enjoyed it yesterday played really well first half did say to my mates at half time that the game wasn’t over unless we bag a fourth. 
CBT had a good game thought Dalby was immense and would be interesting if Kenny comes in and plays alongside him they would be a defenders nightmare. 
Got to agree about Sheehan if he was available on the bench he would have been on at 3-1 to steady the ship. 
Tough game against Lincoln they have a system and stick to it and are a big side EE needs to make sure he remains calm as they will be gunning for him. 

43 minutes ago, desperado said:

I’m really not seeing the alternative opinion on this debate.

One simple question - if Sheehan was on the bench yesterday, would SS have brought him on?

Of course he would. 

 

I felt things needed to change before they scored the jammy deflection and would have taken off Kyle for Xavier as soon as it was apparent Barnsley had made changes. With Kyle on a booking it hampered him tackling in his usual get stuck in manner and Tutu was struggling whereas Simons and Christie steadied the ship when they finally got on. Unimpressed with Gale though.

I understand that Sheehan slows things down when we’re in possession, but when we’re not and the opposition are throwing the sink at us I’d personally prefer Simons shielding.

I had hoped that we’d still have been comfortably ahead at 70 minutes and we’d get a look at the new lad replacing Forino who was also on a booking, but that went out of the window early doors.

2 hours ago, W.cramp said:

A lot of praise above for erahon and dempsey and rightly so in the main,   but they both need to tighten up on giving away a simple pass, even when doing the hard work and winning the ball then giving it away.  

Few time EE tried a 1st time pass to Dempsey who wasn't on the same page. Playing together will sort that but it wouldn't surprise me if Sheehan is back in at Lincoln.

The last clip in this sums up Gale's performance just half hearted 

 

5 hours ago, Eddie said:

Dempsey’s great, until he’s not. First half is Dempsey at his best, box to box, combative, energy, front foot etc etc..

Second half though, when we came under pressure we looked wide open in the middle of the pitch. A combination of him still naturally wanting to get forward and support the forwards, and his legs going a bit meant that EE was basically left as a 1 man midfield when Barnsley now had 3 in there. It’s not Dempsey’s fault, he’s naturally an ‘8’ rather than a ‘6’, so sitting back and making it hard for teams to get through isn’t his game.

I’m a big fan of Dempsey and think he’s got loads to offer - personally I don’t think he takes the midfield role next to EE (who absolutely has solidified his starting place) off a fully fit Sheehan.

I'd agree with that, but I'd also be loathe to leave Dempsey out, it was easier when Dempsey was our best available no.10, that was perfect for him.  Now he's got more competition, its harder for him to play if Sheehan's back in.  No right and wrong answer.

And Dempsey now being our best corner taker (with Christie who might not be on the pitch), that's another tick in his favour because Sheehan doesn't have that delivery.  Without those corners, we literally don't score those first 2 goals, its 1-0 at H-T not 3-0.

A nice problem to have, but there will be good players who are fit not even in the squad next week.

1 hour ago, Wanderlust said:

I felt things needed to change before they scored the jammy deflection and would have taken off Kyle for Xavier as soon as it was apparent Barnsley had made changes. With Kyle on a booking it hampered him tackling in his usual get stuck in manner and Tutu was struggling whereas Simons and Christie steadied the ship when they finally got on. Unimpressed with Gale though.

I understand that Sheehan slows things down when we’re in possession, but when we’re not and the opposition are throwing the sink at us I’d personally prefer Simons shielding.

I had hoped that we’d still have been comfortably ahead at 70 minutes and we’d get a look at the new lad replacing Forino who was also on a booking, but that went out of the window early doors.

Makes sense what you said pal. 

Maybe he would have brought both Sheehan and Simons on, sacrificed a number 10 and had 3 central midfielders as a shield.

But Sheehan for me would have been an obvious choice, when, as lots of comments have alluded to, we just needed some composure, someone who wouldn’t be wasteful and someone who is calm and productive in possession.