Tonge moor green jacket Posted February 23 Posted February 23 Certainly wouldn't have had him playing further forward. Keep him with EE as had been the case previously. It had been fine with 2 up top. Quote
BeeversLeftPeg Posted February 23 Posted February 23 (edited) Last 2 results were disappointing, got to get back to winning ways this weekend. That said, the longer the unbeaten run goes on, psychologically that can't be a bad thing. The current 4 in the playoffs would produce some really tight games. Edited February 23 by BeeversLeftPeg Quote
desperado Posted February 23 Posted February 23 14 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said: A difficult one this. I don't mind making subtle, tactical changes, especially when up against a top team, or for a particular circumstance. Don't understand the bingo machine though. We recently settled on the same team for 3 games, and did OK. OK, had we taken our chances, it wouldn't have mattered. Unfortunately though, that is par for the course, but recent tightening up had allowed us to get away with scoring few and still win. We had also played with a couple of strikers. Yesterday was simply confusing. I respectfully disagree I have a different opinion. I don’t think it was a bingo machine selection or confusing. As SS said recently, he’s carefully designing game plans for different oppositions. We’ve got players who are good for certain games/occasions/opposition/formations. We have some decent replacements competing for places. So IMO we’d be daft not to utilise this. I think we might be in agreement that it’s a fine line between making too many changes and what you define as (and I agree with) subtle changes from week to week. It’s debatable what category Blackpool fits into. Toal, Johnston at LB and CBT made sense to most. It’s the Dempsey selection that had more scratching their heads. But I get it. Extra physicality in midfield, a goal scoring midfielder, puts a good ball in and provides energy. And he had a good game! From the second half at Barnsley through to the first half at Lincoln the side that you refer to wasn’t performing as it had. Sheehan coming on at HT at Lincoln made us better. So I can see why he started him the next two games. The frustration comes in that all of our players lack consistency. Sheehan hasn’t played well in the last two games. Every time a player has a poor game or we don’t win, we get this inconsistent fan reaction which ranges from too many changes, to everything must change (and everything in between! 😂) That’s fine, that’s why we’re here to debate away our opinions. Some will disagree with me, but I don’t think we need to be over critical of SS, while we’re on a pretty good run, he’s subtly trying to bed in the new signings and flexibly trying to find the right combinations to turn these draws into wins Quote
L/H White Posted February 23 Posted February 23 a pass back to the keeper and continually missing chance after chance isn't the result of to many changes Quote
desperado Posted February 23 Posted February 23 3 minutes ago, L/H White said: a pass back to the keeper and continually missing chance after chance isn't the result of to many changes Correct, So frustrating that, at the moment, no matter what combination we put out there, this conversion rate remains poor. No wonder SS is varying his options. Quote
L/H White Posted February 23 Posted February 23 2 minutes ago, desperado said: Correct, So frustrating that, at the moment, no matter what combination we put out there, this conversion rate remains poor. No wonder SS is varying his options. aye, only lincoln have conceded less than us so it's not difficult to understand what the real issue is Quote
Lt. Aldo Raine Posted February 23 Posted February 23 1 hour ago, desperado said: Correct, So frustrating that, at the moment, no matter what combination we put out there, this conversion rate remains poor. No wonder SS is varying his options. The consequence of having no natural finisher I suppose, which is not a criticism of SS because they're difficult to find It's a shame we lost out on Hardie but it is what it is Quote
Rizlar Posted February 23 Posted February 23 End of the day we can all discuss formations tactics etc but SS sees the players in training everyday and he looks at the opposition and picks what he thinks is the best formation against each opposition. The failure to convert our chances as been happening all season and until the players start taking these chances more results like Saturday will happen. Quote
Johnnyrotten Posted February 23 Posted February 23 (edited) 1 hour ago, L/H White said: aye, only lincoln have conceded less than us so it's not difficult to understand what the real issue is I've been one to quote stats that back up the case for the defence especially at home. However we've now started to concede at home regularly, clean sheets are few and far between and 4 goals easily scored by the oppo in last 2 games. We're kidding ourselves if we think the only issue is scoring goals. Lincoln scored 6 conceded 0 this week while we've scored 3 conceded 3 despite how relatively few chances they both had. Edited February 23 by Johnnyrotten Quote
bwfc6ix Posted February 23 Posted February 23 30 minutes ago, Rizlar said: End of the day we can all discuss formations tactics etc but SS sees the players in training everyday and he looks at the opposition and picks what he thinks is the best formation against each opposition. The failure to convert our chances as been happening all season and until the players start taking these chances more results like Saturday will happen. This is main thing. We don't put away chances and see teams off. Simple as. Quote
bwfc2003 Posted February 23 Posted February 23 2 hours ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said: The consequence of having no natural finisher I suppose, which is not a criticism of SS because they're difficult to find It's a shame we lost out on Hardie but it is what it is Didnt we pull out of the hardie deal as thought kenny was the better option and hardie was injured - he has missed 3 games but played as sub (on 56 mins) and scored on saturday Quote
Lt. Aldo Raine Posted February 23 Posted February 23 40 minutes ago, bwfc2003 said: Didnt we pull out of the hardie deal as thought kenny was the better option and hardie was injured - he has missed 3 games but played as sub (on 56 mins) and scored on saturday That's the publicly released version of events I suspect the reality might be different Quote
Cheese Posted February 23 Posted February 23 24 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said: That's the publicly released version of events I suspect the reality might be different Based on the goblin who lives in a tree in your garden? Quote
masi 51 Posted February 23 Posted February 23 4 hours ago, desperado said: Correct, So frustrating that, at the moment, no matter what combination we put out there, this conversion rate remains poor. No wonder SS is varying his options. No combination as yet with only one forward being selected each game.....It is clear as day to see but hey ho Quote
Lt. Aldo Raine Posted February 23 Posted February 23 16 minutes ago, Cheese said: Based on the goblin who lives in a tree in your garden? That's him Quote
masi 51 Posted February 23 Posted February 23 3 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said: I've been one to quote stats that back up the case for the defence especially at home. However we've now started to concede at home regularly, clean sheets are few and far between and 4 goals easily scored by the oppo in last 2 games. We're kidding ourselves if we think the only issue is scoring goals. Lincoln scored 6 conceded 0 this week while we've scored 3 conceded 3 despite how relatively few chances they both had. It is not hard to work out why our defence has not been solid the past few years and it is as weak as it has been since we got promoted into this league.......We have four/ five defenders who are frustrated forwards and like to play in the final third and not concentrate on defending. We have a keeper who likes to give suicide balls to a player who continually comes short and has done it with other keepers as well as this one and we now have a round peg at left back trying to play as a wing back with zero pace.......Seen it all before and we are starting to see it again Quote
ianofcleveleys Posted February 23 Posted February 23 3 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said: We're kidding ourselves if we think the only issue is scoring goals. Lincoln scored 6 conceded 0 this week while we've scored 3 conceded 3 despite how relatively few chances they both had. I've been considering donning the tin hat and debating the thing about us continually missing chances/not putting teams away for a week or two now. Last two home games we've scored 5 goals, but also developed a trait of losing our shit when leading and tossing a couple away. Dalby and Burstow have got 10 each, both could reasonably end up with 13 or 14 each. Not spectacular but not bad, especially with ACD's 7 to add. Neither of them are missing a sack load of chances, shaping like the infamous '1 out of every 4' sort of strikers. The last clear chance Dalby missed in a league game was well before Christmas. We can all remember one or two that should have been taken (Burstow at Wigan, Kenny in 1st min at Reading, arguably Apter's weak header on Sat) but we just aren't carving out big chance after big chance every game. Our issue has more been (till the last couple of games) reluctance to cross it, poor decision making, poor choices, passing responsibility on, lack of incision in our passing. We've certainly put more crosses in since CBT and Apter arrived (Gale also delivered one at last on Sat) but into a crowded box where Dalby was up against it. If we're going to do that we need someone with him who might pick a second ball up. We put 29 crosses over in 45 mins on Sat but hardly any dropped to us after the initial attempt to clear. Quote
Didledee Posted February 23 Author Posted February 23 when I made this thread there was some hope of auto's, my thoughts now are hoping we don't need to push ourselves so much just to keep our playoff place and then have to go up another level in the playoffs 10 point lead over 7th is healthy but teams in and around have 1 or 2 games in hand, given our last fixtures + the playoffs, every game is gonna like something major is on the line, which brings so much pressure, unless we get to those last 5 and 3 playoff games with a biggish lead that allows for slip ups those, it's not realistic to see this team win all 8 in a row. we will be caught and overtaken eventually if results don't improve on our last 3, we are also due a loss. Quote
Hoppy Posted February 23 Posted February 23 1 hour ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said: That's him Sure it's goblin not a goblette Quote
Popular Post Tombwfc Posted February 23 Popular Post Posted February 23 1 hour ago, ianofcleveleys said: I've been considering donning the tin hat and debating the thing about us continually missing chances/not putting teams away for a week or two now. Last two home games we've scored 5 goals, but also developed a trait of losing our shit when leading and tossing a couple away. Dalby and Burstow have got 10 each, both could reasonably end up with 13 or 14 each. Not spectacular but not bad, especially with ACD's 7 to add. Neither of them are missing a sack load of chances, shaping like the infamous '1 out of every 4' sort of strikers. The last clear chance Dalby missed in a league game was well before Christmas. We can all remember one or two that should have been taken (Burstow at Wigan, Kenny in 1st min at Reading, arguably Apter's weak header on Sat) but we just aren't carving out big chance after big chance every game. Our issue has more been (till the last couple of games) reluctance to cross it, poor decision making, poor choices, passing responsibility on, lack of incision in our passing. We've certainly put more crosses in since CBT and Apter arrived (Gale also delivered one at last on Sat) but into a crowded box where Dalby was up against it. If we're going to do that we need someone with him who might pick a second ball up. We put 29 crosses over in 45 mins on Sat but hardly any dropped to us after the initial attempt to clear. There has been a tendency all season to lump together a bunch of half chances and make out that every game we play is a recreation of that Gary Speed vs Man City game. Blackpool created more clear cut chances than us on Saturday. Lincoln definitely did the week before and we barely created much of anything at Reading. Quote
Tombwfc Posted February 23 Posted February 23 3 hours ago, bwfc2003 said: Didnt we pull out of the hardie deal as thought kenny was the better option and hardie was injured - he has missed 3 games but played as sub (on 56 mins) and scored on saturday Has anyone ever stated that anywhere close to publicly? It took off as a narrative on here on deadline day, when Hardie went from signing of the season to a crock with a season threatening injury the minute it became clear he wasn't coming here. RH was injured all January so I doubt we pulled out at the last minute because of that. Doesn't really matter now and I wouldn't judge anything after a handful of minutes. Quote
L/H White Posted February 23 Posted February 23 4 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said: I've been one to quote stats that back up the case for the defence especially at home. However we've now started to concede at home regularly, clean sheets are few and far between and 4 goals easily scored by the oppo in last 2 games. We're kidding ourselves if we think the only issue is scoring goals. Lincoln scored 6 conceded 0 this week while we've scored 3 conceded 3 despite how relatively few chances they both had. I hear ya. I just think the lack of goals puts extreme pressure on the defence, how many times have we dominated then conceded first? AI can put it better (I need a life) Based on the results so far for the 2025/26 League One season, there's definitely been a recurring theme of tight games. While the team is currently sitting high in the table (3rd), the lack of "breathing room" in scores has been a major talking point. Here is the breakdown of your league results, specifically focusing on those low-scoring outings. Scoring Summary (League One) As of late February 2026, Bolton has played 34 league matches. Category Total Games % of Season Failed to Score (0 goals) 7 ~21% Scored Exactly One Goal 13 ~38% Scored 2+ Goals 14 ~41% The Takeaway: In 59% of league games this season, Bolton has either failed to score or found the net only once. Breakdown of Low-Scoring Results Games with 0 Goals (7 Matches) These include frustrating stalemates and narrow "to-nil" defeats: Away: Stockport (2-0 L), Northampton (2-0 L), Burton (3-0 L), Stevenage (0-0 D), Wigan (0-1 L), AFC Wimbledon (0-1 L). Home: Bradford City (0-0 D), Northampton (0-0 D), Mansfield Town (0-1 L). Games with Exactly 1 Goal (13 Matches) The "1-1 draw" has been the most common result for the Wanderers this season, occurring 9 times in the league. 1-1 Draws: Barnsley (A), Reading (H), Lincoln City (H), Blackpool (A), Leyton Orient (A), Luton (A), Doncaster (A), Lincoln City (A), Reading (A). 1-0 Wins: Cardiff City (H), Mansfield Town (A), Wigan (A), AFC Wimbledon (A). Overall League Form Despite the high frequency of single-goal games, the defensive solidity has kept the promotion charge alive: Wins: 15 Draws: 12 Losses: 7 Current Position: 3rd The recent run in February has seen a bit more variety, including a 3-2 thriller against Barnsley and a 2-2 draw with Blackpool, suggesting the "one goal or none" trend might be starting to break as we head into the business end of the season. Would you like me to look into the top scorers for the season to see who has been responsible for those crucial single goals? Quote
desperado Posted February 23 Posted February 23 2 hours ago, masi 51 said: No combination as yet with only one forward being selected each game.....It is clear as day to see but hey ho You did watch us at Reading last week didn’t you? 2 forwards, Kenny missed a great opportunity after 1 min. More chances spurned. I’m not against seeing it again, that formation and two forwards perhaps need more time, as does Kenny. I’m really not quite sure why you are so insistent that SS has blocked this option from happening again, when he did it last week and has brought Kenny in to have an impact. He’s only had Kenny available for a week ! 😂 Quote
Zico Posted February 23 Posted February 23 1 hour ago, L/H White said: I hear ya. I just think the lack of goals puts extreme pressure on the defence, how many times have we dominated then conceded first? AI can put it better (I need a life) Based on the results so far for the 2025/26 League One season, there's definitely been a recurring theme of tight games. While the team is currently sitting high in the table (3rd), the lack of "breathing room" in scores has been a major talking point. Here is the breakdown of your league results, specifically focusing on those low-scoring outings. Scoring Summary (League One) As of late February 2026, Bolton has played 34 league matches. Category Total Games % of Season Failed to Score (0 goals) 7 ~21% Scored Exactly One Goal 13 ~38% Scored 2+ Goals 14 ~41% The Takeaway: In 59% of league games this season, Bolton has either failed to score or found the net only once. Breakdown of Low-Scoring Results Games with 0 Goals (7 Matches) These include frustrating stalemates and narrow "to-nil" defeats: Away: Stockport (2-0 L), Northampton (2-0 L), Burton (3-0 L), Stevenage (0-0 D), Wigan (0-1 L), AFC Wimbledon (0-1 L). Home: Bradford City (0-0 D), Northampton (0-0 D), Mansfield Town (0-1 L). Games with Exactly 1 Goal (13 Matches) The "1-1 draw" has been the most common result for the Wanderers this season, occurring 9 times in the league. 1-1 Draws: Barnsley (A), Reading (H), Lincoln City (H), Blackpool (A), Leyton Orient (A), Luton (A), Doncaster (A), Lincoln City (A), Reading (A). 1-0 Wins: Cardiff City (H), Mansfield Town (A), Wigan (A), AFC Wimbledon (A). Overall League Form Despite the high frequency of single-goal games, the defensive solidity has kept the promotion charge alive: Wins: 15 Draws: 12 Losses: 7 Current Position: 3rd The recent run in February has seen a bit more variety, including a 3-2 thriller against Barnsley and a 2-2 draw with Blackpool, suggesting the "one goal or none" trend might be starting to break as we head into the business end of the season. Would you like me to look into the top scorers for the season to see who has been responsible for those crucial single goals? Always question AI LMs when it comes to numbers and analysis It's got us down as losing to Wigan and Wimbledon 1-0 as well as winning Quote
L/H White Posted February 23 Posted February 23 10 minutes ago, Zico said: Always question AI LMs when it comes to numbers and analysis It's got us down as losing to Wigan and Wimbledon 1-0 as well as winning Point stands in regards to not scoring more than once etc Quote
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