Bolton vs Barnsley Match Thread

Forgot about Politic. Definitely want to give him some time too.

I would love to see us have some form of cup run. When did we last do well in either cup?







[/quote]


Blocked it out because it ended with that game against Stoke. But the Rioch White Hot era runs I'm sure gave us the confidence to get to the promised land. When you've beaten Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton etc no need to fear Reading. Also Big Sam actually got to a couple of early cup semis too. So seems our great teams have always started with cup runs at the origins (or infancy)

But we do have genuine depth and 2 per position so we need to mix it up to keep people ticking over.

Not a bad game but once more del boy has proved what a waste of space he is 8 touches in the first 20 mins and lost it each time doyle is playing with the speed of a ruptured sloth , keeper doing well as are the back four , the usual sloppy passing in the last third , need to speed up in the second half.

Looks like IE wants to win this without pens then. Let’s hope Chungy can find another killer pass tonight.?

5 very good pens and a very good save .roll on the draw .

I suppose on Doyler it’s a quandary for IE because he needs games to get him properly fit but Delf? Oh dear, with what we have in the squad now, I just don’t see why IE perseveres with him. He wouldn’t be where he’s been for the last few years if his considerable ability was being delivered. I’d consign him to the reserves and a new home if possible because nothing will change with him. I groan every time I see him on the team sheet and even more when I see him come on.

Another good performance.

Barnsley started very well and were excellent at reclaiming the ball in midfield. The number of times that they out tackled us was significant in the first half.

Barnsley should have scored in the first few minutes when their striker headed straight at Dixon who did well to block the shot. The ball ran to the clearly offside Woodrow so no goal.

The rest of the 1st half was mainly Barnsley who passed well and at times we were chasing back but we defended well. Welcome back Santos who was a tower.

We had one chance when Johnston got a shot in after an excellent spell of intricate passing but too close to the keeper.

Second half, we improved significantly and eventually took the game to Barnsley.

Santos and Johnston were excellent in defence, Jones got forward well and put in a couple of really good low balls (together with his normal amount of over hit centres) and the midfield three got control.

Doyle, who ran his socks off, was replaced by the giant of Bakayoko and we pushed Barnsley back. Some very good wing play by Isgrove and Jones pushed us forward and by the end it was us who looked like winning with Bakayoko heading over after a Sheehan shot was saved.

The penalties were just excellent from both sides. 8 crackers and then Cole’s was saved and Sheehan did the rest.



A really decent performance. Not as open as MK Dons but good against a good championship side.





Marks:-

Dixon - 7 A bit too keen to charge out of his area early on but some good saves and decent distribution

Jones - 7 Good attacking, particularly second half. Still random with his crossing.

Gordon - 7 A good return. Good passing between his fellow defenders and got forward well.

Johnston - 8 Very good. He will never win too many high balls but very good on the ground.

Santos - 9 The Santos we know and love. Strong.

Williams - 8 Very good first half when Barnsley dominated midfield

Sarcevic - 7 Worked hard and tried to drive the team forward.

Lee - 7 A few passes did not come off but overall he is a class player

Delfouneso - 6 A struggle and he did not help Gordon enough defensively.

Isgrove - 8 Very busy. Second half he pushed well down the right

Doyle - 7 It was hard work for him as the lone target man but he worked tirelessly

Bakayoko - 7 His strength put Barnsley on the back foot

Sheehan

Kachunga