BOLTON V IPSWICH ...MATCH THREAD.

This will definitely be a big test, no question about it and we'll do well to get anything out of it. That 1-1 seems about the best we'll get to me Meggo but you just never know. Despite Cravies having done ok recently I'm still unconvinced long term or against the quality teams so his being out wouldn't be a major blow to me. I'd personally prefer Wilko and Eidur before Mason but I don't think NL will. Like you I think a draw is probably about the best we can hope for so I'll go with you on that one.

FT 0-0. pleased to dig in for a point. result draw as predicted. disappointed with performance... 0 shots on target, 7 for them. 2nd half ,we were on the rack more than first. Lonergan clear MOM for us. top save close range from Tabb after ball coming to him inadvertently from a Mcgoldrick shot...spread himself well although i think tbf a regular goalscorer would have finished that one. soon after another good save from Tabb ..header from a corner. i've said before, if we're paying Masons wages we may as well use him while we have him, even if we are sending him back in Jan.
another clean sheet. and unbeaten run continues. hope Pratley not injured too bad. looked quite tame when he went down. Clayton's looked worse..knee ligaments possibly . perhaps he's been overplayed a bit. ( did he have a full pre-season ?? ) & in my last few reports i've said his play didn't quite deserve the minutes he was getting.


******

well obviously i take that back about Mason seeing as its now reported that he's injured. was this reported pre-game ??. missed it if it was. 

Not a great spectacle but a hard earned point with a depleted force against a competitive side whose cutting edge we blunted. It was surprising to see Wheater in for Vela but for 70 minutes or so he was the better of the two centre halves at least aerially. He blotted his copybook with a tired and dreamy ball watch and was sensibly subbed. Dervite probably strengthened the right back position except once when he forgot his position in the first half. Nevertheless Vela reminded us late on with a seriesof deft touches that going forward he is the better option. Lennon clearly had regard to how Ipswich play in his selection and a clean sheet would suggest he got it right.

Up front we were pretty impotent. Wilkinson showed a couple of good touches but was well short of the necessary physicality to play the role asked of him. Clayton began quite brightly and had one chance identical to the one he missed at Norwich but cut inside to avoid the first time left foot cross shot and the chance was lost. Ream did something similar a little later and in those moments what proved to be our only significant chances were spurned. In Clayton's case that may be the last we see of him for a while. I hope it's not his cruciate ligament. His first injury occurred near the same blades of grass that concluded Tierney's BWFC appearances. A shame because Clayton is for sure a talent.

Strangely NL opted for Spearing to take over rather than like for like Mason. Spearing began brightly and did  throughout battle away well but two shocking passes launched Ipswich breakaways and reminded us just why he has been benched. I doubt he did enough to return

of course the moment all the crowd had turned up for was the reintroduction of Eidur. And the great man did quite well. He began with a mazy dribble and later led a breakaway which almost put Chungy in. Generally after that he kept possession well and impressed although he will not be the physical force he once was. He will win us some games though on this showing.

Our strengths today were Chungy who was well shackled but ever available but outstandingly Ream and Lonergan. It was Ream who split Ipswich apart for Clayton's chance and he had the better of all who tried their luck on his side. Lonergan was immaculate. I didn't see a mistake. His distribution was at times good to excellent and the reason we have a point is that he made two exceptional and one good saves. His handling was very secure and he confidently held a couple of daisy cutters early on that could well have bobbled free. Good for him. Bogdan will not displace him on this showing. Today he gave a master class in keeping concentration and skill.

Lonergan 10. Dervite 7 Mills 7 Wheater 7 Ream 8. Feeney 6 Chungy 7 Danns 6 Pratley 7 Clayton 5 Wilkinson 3  Spearing 6 Eidur 7 Vela 7

This is a good result with a weakened team against a very good in form side. Another point in the bank and if we can stay unbeaten until NL can strengthen who knows what might happen in the new year?

Agree with just about everything you say today, Andy L, and it is great to see that you have finally come round to appreciating Lonergan's class. His terrific ability gives confidence to his fellow defenders. Under DF, who professed to be an expert in setting up defensively, I began to wonder if we would ever keep a clean sheet again; now we are reeling them out.

You are also right to conclude that Wilkinson, just like Odelusi, simply does not have the physical presence up front where we are looking impotent. This position has to be our priority in January. Our second priority has to be to hold on to Chungy.

I believe Mason had an injury and was not in the squad, btw. I apologise if this is not the case.

Yes. Mason was injured. Didn't spot that at the time. I understand Pratley may have dislocated. His shoulder again. A shame if so. But it was his own fault. He let a ball bounce that he could have headed. On recent form we may miss his contribution

considering you've often mentioned 3 centre backs, i take it you're not buying it that it was 3 centre backs yesterday then Andy ?


www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/11665903.PLAYER_RATINGS__Wanderers_0_Ipswich_Town_0/?ref=mr      < 3-4-1-2.      i did mention it in one of my posts. 

one point i would argue in your post.  you say we "blunted their cutting edge" .  when we have 0 shots on target and they have 7 (plus several good ones off target ), i think as a team we are not doing much blunting, Lonergan yes, but not as a team, apart from our healthy possession levels which minimise their ball time.       Lennon had his first Dougie moment in his interview on FL show...." we had 2 best chances of 1st half ".....WHAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. i don't think so.    Claytons was a good chance but he can't say spearings was better than the one AL clawed out from under bar from Murphy. and possibly another from Mcgoldrick early on.