They weren't happy with Croft's "tackle" on Hunt, nor were they happy with Croft getting the Man of the Match Award.

 

 

 

Skirmish on A62 gives Talbot a day to forget

 

Daniel Taylor at Boundary Park

Monday January 31, 2005

The Guardian

 

Brian Talbot has an abundance of FA Cup memories to cherish but this was a day that will linger in his mind for all the wrong reasons. Dispatched from the FA Cup by superior opponents, the Oldham manager could also reflect that he nearly did not make it to the match at all, having been attacked in his car as he made his way to the stadium.

Travelling from his city-centre apartment in Manchester, Talbot's journey took him past a polling station on the A62 that had been set up for the Iraq election. A demonstration was taking place outside and, according to Oldham officials, the scene was "not far from a riot" when Talbot's Mercedes apparently clipped one of the protesters.

 

He is understood to have been dragged from the car and did well to escape anything worse than a ricked neck and bruises. His car suffered extensive damage, with smashed headlights, a broken rear window and dents and scratches to the bodywork. "I can't really say too much about it because it's a matter for the police," he said. "I'm fine physically, just a bit shaken."

 

Greater Manchester Police described the incident as a "minor disturbance".

 

A force spokeswoman said the pedestrian struck by the car was treated in hospital for a minor head injury. A 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident.

 

After such a frightening experience Talbot must have wished his players could serve as a soothing influence. Instead Bolton swiftly emphasised the gulf in status between the two clubs, taking command early on and scoring in the ninth minute, a first senior goal for the Portuguese teenager Ricardo Vaz Te.

 

Oldham threatened sporadically thereafter and, if it is any consolation, deserve all the usual compliments that tend to accompany a lower-league side punching above their weight. Talbot's men were plucky and industrious and might have scraped a replay had Danny Hall and Alex Bruce not squandered presentable opportunities in the final 15 minutes.

 

Yet any sympathy for the 14th-placed side in League One evaporated when Lee Croft, on loan from Manchester City, callously embedded his studs in Nicky Hunt's right ankle. As Hunt's legs were strapped together and he was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital where x-rays would reveal severe damage to the ligaments, the referee would not have over-reacted if he had brandished a red card in Croft's direction. Inexplicably, however, he did not even deem it a free-kick or have a word with the offender. It was a ridiculous error and the sense of injustice was exacerbated three minutes before the final whistle when the PA announcer declared that Croft had won the man-of-the-match award. It can only be hoped that his champagne was corked.

 

"Nicky was going for the ball and their lad has gone over the top," said Bolton's Sam Allardyce, who will complete the free transfer of Vincent Candela, a former France left-back, from Roma today. "He knew he wasn't going to win the ball and he was looking to see what Nicky was doing.

 

"It's just a great shame that something like this has happened in such a spirited Cup tie. Even if there's no break there is going to be extreme damage to the ligament."

 

Allardyce's mood lightened when it came to analysing the controlled performance of his side and the flashes of excellence shown by the match-winner.

 

Vaz Te, recruited from the Danish club Farense as a 16-year-old, has scored 11 goals in 13 games for the reserves as well as five in one academy match. Allardyce appears to have unearthed a player of substantial talent.

 

The 18-year-old occasionally drifted out of the match but he made a telling impact when meeting Ricardo Gardner's left-wing cross with a firm header which Les Pogliacomi could only help into his goal.

 

The best compliment that can be paid to Oldham for the remainder of the tie is that they did not resort to a long-ball style which would have exacerbated the pain in Talbot's neck. Trying to play a neat passing game on a pock-marked surface, the home side worked up a head of steam in the final exchanges.

 

In Bolton, however, the conquerors of Manchester City in the last round came up against a team far sturdier than the one managed by Kevin Keegan.

 

Man of the match: Khalilou Fadiga (Bolton Wanderers)

Vaz Te, recruited from the Danish club Farense

 

Not bad - aprt from this bit - Danish club?

He was on their books apparently, but loaned back to his previous Portuguese team.

Farense are a Portuguese club though.

Just more lazy journalism.

Man of the match: Khalilou Fadiga

Spot on though, he had an excellent game and must be pushing Okocha for a start.

 

Okocha out Fadiga in anyone?

Man of the match: Khalilou Fadiga

Spot on though, he had an excellent game and must be pushing Okocha for a start.

 

Okocha out Fadiga in anyone?

 

no

 

not even close

 

fadiga was far from being motm, in a far from outstanding performance

 

looked a long way from the prem just yet

 

same goes for vaz te

Okocha looks very much out of sorts, he seems to be struggling with his fitness, just as he was this time last year after the African Nations.

 

Khal Fadiga looked decent yesterday, but also doesn't look fit enough to play a full 90 in the Premiership just yet.

 

The probability is that Davies will return to the team and Diouf will move to a more supporting role in a midfield 5 of: Stelios, Nolan. Campo, Speed and Diouf.

Am I the only one who thinks Okocha is playing well?

Am I the only one who thinks Okocha is playing well?

 

no

I thought Fadiga struggled in the middle of the park. His best work came when he moved outside on the left and I thought would look more comfortable playing on the left of a three man attack.

 

I see him more of a replacement for Davies/Pedersen/Stelios/Diouf rather than Jay Jay

The probability is that Davies will return to the team and Diouf will move to a more supporting role in a midfield 5 of: Stelios, Nolan. Campo, Speed and Diouf.

 

I would hope not

 

I'd prefer to see Davies not walk straight back in the team give our revival when Diouf has played up front

 

Diouf is at his best in the until now untouchable Davies role, and I'd rather see Davies patiently wait for his chance

I thought Davies was very poor against Oldham. Didn't win anything in the air and couldn't hold it up on the floor. It's probably why we struggled in the second half and couldn't keep possession.

 

However Tal Ben Haim had another steady game at centre half.

I thought Davies was very poor against Oldham. Didn't win anything in the air and couldn't hold it up on the floor. It's probably why we struggled in the second half and couldn't keep possession.

 

However Tal Ben Haim had another steady game at centre half.

 

davies was shite, pedersen was diabolical, did he even break sweat?

 

haim and ngotty are doin very well together, strange considering they NEVER communicate with each other...

pedders put in a couple of decent crosses but other than that did shag all!

Dont think Davies got any decent type of service to even try and rate him. I thought he played well when he came off the bench against the dingles. I know we are in a good run of form, and now may not be the best time to change things, but I would like to see him & diouf up front as a pair. I think they would play off each other very well.

 

Maybe it would be worth giving it a go against Spurs with a couple of injuries now starting to hit?

 

Is Jay Jay out for any length of time?