Wanderers 0-1 Birmingham

[jules_darby]

We’ve both been going long enough to know Bolton never make things easy whether it’s a dog fight or promotion chase we are in.

 

Similar to last season, enter April sitting pretty, mid April gap closed and shitting ourselves, by May bank holiday we’ll be home - just. Let’s enjoy the 4 week rollercoaster.

 

If the worst comes to the worst, we drop back down to where I enjoyed football more than I have in years.

I said last night and stick by this; I’m not sure my marriage can deal with another season of aways like last year

[DazBob]

I felt sorry for ALF last night. He ran himself into the ground chasing lost causes and competing for high balls he had no chance of winning.

 

Buckley and Vela can both fuck off. They offer nothing, absolutely nothing.

 

Some of Flanagan's distribution last night was nothing short of embarrassing, to the point where he even threw the ball straight to one of theirs at a throw-in.

 

Last night was rubbish.

[radcliffe white]

So Henry was brought off as precaution hopefully that is the case and nothing else

 

The German pulled up again

 

Does anyone know how long morais and Pratley are out?

[Big E]

I said last night and stick by this; I’m not sure my marriage can deal with another season of aways like last year

 

Yeah because she hates those Tuesday nights when you get home at midnight......good job shes ok with the Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday nights you get home intime to catch your train to work 

[Not in Crawley]

100% agreed- they are not welcome and not needed!

Well this part timer enjoyed himself, had a good chat with the season ticket next to us, about living in London, with the other half being from Durham and with the kids who because being down south really look forward to getting the chance to see their team in a school full of Arsenal and Chelsea fans, win, lose or draw. Even though it was a shite result, made my football mad middle kid want to support us even more. She slept in her new scarf!

 

Glad we didn’t get a seat next to a grumpy sod like you.

[BoltonBoy80]

Fair play to brum fans last night- great support. Remember them coming to burnden under Barry fry when they needed to win. Walked onto burnden paddock at 2pm and there was 5000 of the fuckers already in.

Anyway back to last night. Anybody who thought we would win and make things easier for ourselves doesn’t know Bolton wanderers. Plenty more twists and turns to come. Wouldn’t be surprised if it came down to last game of season.

We will stay up and be on pitch again celebrating against forest. Keep the faith people. We’re bolton wanderers we’ll fight to the end!

[Spider]

100% agreed- they are not welcome and not needed!

 

We'll go far

[radcliffe white]

Also from a marketing perspective ken must be livid

 

The club are struggling to get extra fans on so offer great deal with potential new young fans and that clown dishes up that.

[gonzo]

Is it really worth doing ticket offers?

[radcliffe white]

Think it’s always worth doing as some fans are genuinely priced out

 

Also it’s season ticket renewal soon so all helps

[Guest]

I don’t think they’re “bottle jobs” in the traditional sense Tom. As in they’re mentally weak....

 

I’d say your observation illustrates our lack of attacking threat and ability to “take it to” teams where the onus is on us.

 

Although undoubtedly we’d have benefitted from Madine last night it runs much deeper for me.

 

It is absolutely puzzling how PP brings Wilbraham on constantly yet the one game when it was clear that we had no other “game” than lumping it and he didn’t?!

 

In his defence was PP trying desperately to bring another way of attacking by bringing ball players on such as Noone and Clough (I know Kirchhoff was forced)? If so I kinda get it but we looked so disjointed and it was as if they’d never played / trained together before. Instead of the introduced players dropping deep for it (other than Noone on occasion) we just had a front line of 6 and still hoofed it, but just to a more congested area and still with no real winners of headers.

 

The players have to take their responsibility but Without a doubt PP got it badly wrong throughout last night.

 

Sparks from Noone were the only positive I can think of really

 

Birmingham were happy for us to try and pass across midfield. I don't think we have the players for that game. We have two options, long ball to ALF, long ball to Ameobi. ALF does his best. Ameobi had an off night.

 

We are a team that wins games 1-0 and by defending well. Birmingham played our own game last night and that is generally when we struggle. We'll probably do better against Millwall and Wolves who will come at us. 

[marple whites]

What a load of trash, in it what was one of our biggest games of the season.

Apart from Le Fondre and possibly Vela, the quality and commitment from the rest was tosh.

 

This has really set us back, as Barnsley play early at home to Sheff Utd on Saturday, so if they win that they will be 2 behind having played level games and if we get our "usual" quota of nothing at Derby, they can then overtake us.

 

I can really see a battle of Oakwell, but after last night, not sure we will win it.

[MickyD]

We are a team that wins games 1-0 and by defending well. Birmingham played our own game last night and that is generally when we struggle. We'll probably do better against Millwall and Wolves who will come at us.

There's the rub. As soon as we go a goal down the player's heads go down because they know that scoring a goal is difficult enough but scoring two needs nothing short of devine intervention.

Just watched the highlights and yes, we should have had a couple of penalties and I'm sure better positioning from the ref they may have been given but going back to their goal, who coaches the defenders? Maybe he ought to start at the basics such as, if you need to head a ball you may need to jump. If you need to jump you could start the process by bending your knees and exploding the energy into your legs. Elephants can't jump because they don't have knees but they'd still manage to jump higher than our defence during that free kick.

[Guest]

There's the rub. As soon as we go a goal down the player's heads go down because they know that scoring a goal is difficult enough but scoring two needs nothing short of devine intervention.

Just watched the highlights and yes, we should have had a couple of penalties and I'm sure better positioning from the ref they may have been given but going back to their goal, who coaches the defenders? Maybe he ought to start at the basics such as, if you need to head a ball you may need to jump. If you need to jump you could start the process by bending your knees and exploding the energy into your legs. Elephants can't jump because they don't have knees but they'd still manage to jump higher than our defence during that free kick.

 

The goal came about because Henry messed about in midfield and ended up losing the ball and giving a needless free kick away.

[Eddie]

A lot already said and covered but the biggest mystery for me is where Little is? He was pretty much our player of the season until he got that red card. Flanagan and Taylor kill us down the wings because they are terrible going forward, especially against a team that is going to sit deep and let us try and break them down. We were crying out for players to take the ball off the centre backs but Flanagan and Taylor just turn back and give it back to them. Little and Robinson for me for the rest of the season (I can’t believe Taylor was given another game after Leeds!).

 

Also Wheater must have done some badly wrong to have this stint out of the side, Beevers is a calamity in this league. He panics like mad and I don’t think that helps Burke, the amount of times he gets too tight to a player or just flaps when he has time doesn’t help the rest of the team. I also think that when you have lost a leader like Pratley you don’t bench your other leader in the team.

 

Morais has to be injured. If Buckley is playing in front of a fit Morais then Parkys lost his mind, Buckley is a badden, for a winger to have such poor control and be so uncomfortable on the ball its embarrassing.

 

Vela is a waste of a player in behind the striker, he doesn’t help the midfield out and doesn’t get up around ALF enough, it’s like playing 441. Pratley is a massive miss.

 

Ameobi looks like he’s tossed it off, possibly got another deal somewhere else for next season? Although to be fair I’m sure he’s got pissed off with becoming the new target for Beevers’ continuous aimless punts.

 

Most have already said it, but I don’t know why I expected us to make it easy. I’ll change my previous prediction than we will be safe by Burton - I just hope that we have a big away day win at Barnsley or Burton and have the celebrations that the Brummies had.

[MickyD]

The goal came about because Henry messed about in midfield and ended up losing the ball and giving a needless free kick away.

So what are you saying? We didn't need to defend because it had been a needless free kick?

[Casino]

I'd say a few things

 

It was a needless free kick

 

It was a good free kick

 

We left juke in the clear

 

We would probably have missed

 

It was their only effort on goal

[gonzo]

A lot already said and covered but the biggest mystery for me is where Little is? He was pretty much our player of the season until he got that red card. Flanagan and Taylor kill us down the wings because they are terrible going forward, especially against a team that is going to sit deep and let us try and break them down. We were crying out for players to take the ball off the centre backs but Flanagan and Taylor just turn back and give it back to them. Little and Robinson for me for the rest of the season (I can’t believe Taylor was given another game after Leeds!).

 

Also Wheater must have done some badly wrong to have this stint out of the side, Beevers is a calamity in this league. He panics like mad and I don’t think that helps Burke, the amount of times he gets too tight to a player or just flaps when he has time doesn’t help the rest of the team. I also think that when you have lost a leader like Pratley you don’t bench your other leader in the team.

 

Morais has to be injured. If Buckley is playing in front of a fit Morais then Parkys lost his mind, Buckley is a badden, for a winger to have such poor control and be so uncomfortable on the ball its embarrassing.

 

Vela is a waste of a player in behind the striker, he doesn’t help the midfield out and doesn’t get up around ALF enough, it’s like playing 441. Pratley is a massive miss.

 

Ameobi looks like he’s tossed it off, possibly got another deal somewhere else for next season? Although to be fair I’m sure he’s got pissed off with becoming the new target for Beevers’ continuous aimless punts.

 

Most have already said it, but I don’t know why I expected us to make it easy. I’ll change my previous prediction than we will be safe by Burton - I just hope that we have a big away day win at Barnsley or Burton and have the celebrations that the Brummies had.

Agree with all of that.

 

Parky does seem to have this thing of randomly freezing players out. Then he'll chuck them in out with of the blue.

 

Karacan being one. Really no idea what he's done wrong, he'd be better in behind ALF than vela. He was mustard against Sunderland the other week and has an understanding with ALF.

[CMW]

Well this part timer enjoyed himself, had a good chat with the season ticket next to us, about living in London, with the other half being from Durham and with the kids who because being down south really look forward to getting the chance to see their team in a school full of Arsenal and Chelsea fans, win, lose or draw. Even though it was a shite result, made my football mad middle kid want to support us even more. She slept in her new scarf!

 

Glad we didn’t get a seat next to a grumpy sod like you.

My point was aimed at part timers who turn up and moan,boo and apparently know more about football than the manager!

Last nights cheap tickets offer was a mistake because it encouraged Brum fans to come in numbers and support their team.

We are better off with 13000 fans who get behind the team.

Boos at half time????

[marple whites]

I said last night and stick by this; I’m not sure my marriage can deal with another season of aways like last year

 

 

Yes - but it was good tho wasn't it ?

Edited April 4, 2018 by marple whites

[Guest]

So what are you saying? We didn't need to defend because it had been a needless free kick?

 

I haven't seen it back, but from where I was sat on the night it looked like a great delivery that would be tough to defend against. No excuse for failing to track runners from the kick, but the delivery was a beaut and probably 7/10 times a ball like that ends up in a goal. Had Henry passed instead of turning into trouble they'd not have had a chance to put a ball like that in. 

[Take Hunt Off]

Parky needs to go back to wingbacks especially at home .Flanagan & Taylor offer nothing going forward.Ameobi would also benefit as Little offers himself for the forward pass!

Sometimes it goes wrong but more creative formation imo

As regards were we are now its fair to say that despite last night we have a fair chance to stay up whichis miles further on than where we were at the end of October

[marple whites]

They have got left:-

 

Burton home

Bristol city away

Wolves away

Sheff Utd home

QPR away

Fulham home

[ianofcleveleys]

A lot already said and covered but the biggest mystery for me is where Little is? He was pretty much our player of the season until he got that red card. Flanagan and Taylor kill us down the wings because they are terrible going forward, especially against a team that is going to sit deep and let us try and break them down. We were crying out for players to take the ball off the centre backs but Flanagan and Taylor just turn back and give it back to them. Little and Robinson for me for the rest of the season (I can’t believe Taylor was given another game after Leeds!).

 

Also Wheater must have done some badly wrong to have this stint out of the side, Beevers is a calamity in this league. He panics like mad and I don’t think that helps Burke, the amount of times he gets too tight to a player or just flaps when he has time doesn’t help the rest of the team. I also think that when you have lost a leader like Pratley you don’t bench your other leader in the team.

 

Morais has to be injured. If Buckley is playing in front of a fit Morais then Parkys lost his mind, Buckley is a badden, for a winger to have such poor control and be so uncomfortable on the ball its embarrassing.

 

Vela is a waste of a player in behind the striker, he doesn’t help the midfield out and doesn’t get up around ALF enough, it’s like playing 441. Pratley is a massive miss.

 

Ameobi looks like he’s tossed it off, possibly got another deal somewhere else for next season? Although to be fair I’m sure he’s got pissed off with becoming the new target for Beevers’ continuous aimless punts.

 

Most have already said it, but I don’t know why I expected us to make it easy. I’ll change my previous prediction than we will be safe by Burton - I just hope that we have a big away day win at Barnsley or Burton and have the celebrations that the Brummies had.

 

Bob on this, when Little was on right and Robinson left, Ameobi thrived on right and Buckley was made to look half decent. We looked a not bad team in a number of games with that set-up. Neither Flanagan or Taylor offer anything like as much going forward. 

 

Same re Wheater, as good at stopping goals as Beevers and surely would have made the odd simple 20 yard pass last night rather than the diagonal hoofs.  

 

Their delivery for the goal was a good one but criminal defending to leave Juke unmarked. It was coming, they were having a bit more possession in our half and we started giving too many unnecessary free kicks away in areas that invited them to put it into the mixer. They had two players capable of doing that and plenty of height and muscle to get on end of them.  

 

Can understand to a point us playing with two holding midfielders away or at home against top teams but surely against the likes of Burton or Brum we try and be a bit more progressive, was always going to be a hard night for ALF when neither full back could get forward and neither of Henry or Derik would go beyond the centre circle. Not blaming Henry here, fine with him sitting, but Derik just stood at the side of him all night when there were numerous chances for him to step forward into space and get involved in building an attack.   

 

Back to three at back, with one being Wheater, Little and Robinson as wing backs and we might create a chance or two in a game  

[Guest]

Bob on this, when Little was on right and Robinson left, Ameobi thrived on right and Buckley was made to look half decent. We looked a not bad team in a number of games with that set-up. Neither Flanagan or Taylor offer anything like as much going forward. 

 

Same re Wheater, as good at stopping goals as Beevers and surely would have made the odd simple 20 yard pass last night rather than the diagonal hoofs.  

 

Their delivery for the goal was a good one but criminal defending to leave Juke unmarked. It was coming, they were having a bit more possession in our half and we started giving too many unnecessary free kicks away in areas that invited them to put it into the mixer. They had two players capable of doing that and plenty of height and muscle to get on end of them.  

 

Can understand to a point us playing with two holding midfielders away or at home against top teams but surely against the likes of Burton or Brum we try and be a bit more progressive, was always going to be a hard night for ALF when neither full back could get forward and neither of Henry or Derik would go beyond the centre circle. Not blaming Henry here, fine with him sitting, but Derik just stood at the side of him all night when there were numerous chances for him to step forward into space and get involved in building an attack.   

 

Back to three at back, with one being Wheater, Little and Robinson as wing backs and we might create a chance or two in a game  

 

We stopped playing 3-5-2 because sides exposed our back three....not sure why we'd go back to it now? The system wasn't at fault last night. This system got us draws in two away games, plus beat Villa at home.