Mark Davies
Welcome Back Bolton Wanderers. We’ve Missed You
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 | BWFC News, David Ngog, Mark Davies, Nigel Reo Coker | 3 Comments
Once upon a long time ago, Bolton Wanderers were a team that no one liked to play. Sam Allardyce set his side up in such a way that it stifled opposition, that on paper should have been superior.
Members of the media, most of whom can’t think for themselves, may have dubbed it ‘not for the purist’, but Whites fans took pleasure in the reputation – and the results.
There might be a few more of these sold now.
All that ended with the arrival of Gary Megson. The Ginger One won one, drew one and lost all the rest, against the then big four. In the 2008-9 season, he managed one point from 42 against teams that finished in the top seven.
Some will argue that points have the same value, whether they’re achieved at the expense of title contenders, or relegation fodder. That may be mathematically correct, but it overlooks the morale boost that lesser teams get from turning over the big boys, for sport is about nothing, if not glory.
One of the criticisms levelled at Owen Coyle was that he had failed to arrest that losing trend, bar one late season win against an already demoralised Arsenal. After the way Liverpool were swept aside at the Reebok on Saturday, there is one charge less facing the man from Paisley.
A sober analysis might include the arguments that Liverpool, without Uruguay’s favourite racist are an ordinary side and that Kenny Dalglish inherited a squad some way short of Champions League potential that a summer spending spree has failed to improve. Then there’s Steven Gerrard, who has yet to regain much of his usual game, apart from whining and bitching to the match officials.
But sod that. The men in white were fully deserving of their victory and it should be celebrated. Underpinning a collective effort stuffed with commitment and fighting spirit were several worthy performances.
Adam Bogdan put his Chelsea nightmare behind with a solid display of maturity. The Hungarian international wasn’t called upon to perform heroics, but he handled his routine tasks well, some of which could have gone horribly wrong.
It has been suggested that he might have come off his line more quickly in order to prevent Craig Bellamy scoring, but such a view assumes that Bogdan can move at roughly twice the speed of Usain Bolt.
At the other end of the pitch, David N’Gog continued to progress in his role of lone front man, holding up the ball well and showing some clever touches. The Frenchman isn’t a natural goal scorer, but that will matter less if he can play in advancing midfielders as he did for Bolton’s opener.
Nigel Reo Coker has been criticised this season, not least on these pages. He still lacks an astuteness in reading the game, but starting with the away victory at Blackburn the former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder has played a leader’s role and exhibited the combative qualities that made Coyle give him a contract in the first place.
Game sorted. Now to do something about that hair cut.
However the stand out performer, not for the first time of late, was Mark Davies, who is at last realising his potential. Gone, is the tendency to drift in and out of games and his tackling and tracking back have improved beyond measure.
Mini Davo’s attacking abilities have never been in doubt, but he seems lighter, fitter and faster and is starting to enjoy his first injury free season in years. We’ll pause for a bit there, while readers find a piece of wood to touch.
Can Bolton maintain the improvement, that started at Ewood Park and has continued since? (although not without a hiccups or two) If so, then relegation which seemed a certainty a few weeks ago, may yet be avoided.
There are difficult games still to come, but the end of season run in, seems kind compared to the other drop zone contenders. If it’s really the hope that kills you, then Wanderers fans are once more in grave danger. No, that wasn’t a pun. Honest.
- Richard McCormick
Champions League Liverpool? You’re Having a Laugh!
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 | BWFC Goals, BWFC News, David Ngog, Mark Davies, Nigel Reo Coker, Premier League | 9 Comments
Saturday saw a blustery evening at the Reebok, but it wasn’t the wind that blew Liverpool away. A new year has, it seems, brought a new Bolton Wanderers with it. A battling, energetic and imaginative display saw The Whites put three past the visitors and take three points off the Merseysiders for the first time since 2006 – when goals from Ivan Campo and Gary Speed put The Reds to the sword. It had been a long time coming, but this game was worth the wait.
Kenny Dalglish waves goodbye to the chance of a top four finish.
At first, it looked as though Bolton were going to make a slow start. Liverpool seemed relaxed and confident, whilst the men in white seemed nervous and gave the ball away far too easily. Liverpool’s dominance lasted all of 3 minutes, and then Wanderers took control of the game. Fabrice Muamba, whose new-found on-the-ball composure has been welcomed by all Bolton fans, fed a short ball to the feet of David N’Gog. N’Gog’s ability with his back to goal is starting to become telling, and his deft flick, whilst holding off the challenge of Martin Skrtle, gave Mark Davies licence to run. As Davies carried the ball forward N’Gog was off and running, forcing Agger to go with him with him and opening-up space in the heart of the Liverpool defence. With Skirtle lumbering in his wake and Agger on the back foot, Davies took full advantage with a trademark ‘jinky’ run giving him a sight of goal. Owen Coyle made comments in the press recently, in which he called on Davies to add goals to his game; Mark was clearly listening. A beautifully placed finish from the midfielder gave Wanderers the lead and sent the Reebok faithful into raptures.
Liverpool were visibly shocked, as were most Bolton fans to be honest, but Wanderers immediately set out to show the early goal was no fluke. Chris Eagles, who had a dreadful time against Utd at Old Trafford, looked like a man with a point to prove, and it was he who would worry Liverpool next. Eagles won the ball from Jose Enrique and set-off in determined fashion. Eagles would trouble Enrique all game with his energy and willingness to run with the ball, and he skipped away from the former Spain U21 international before drilling a shot across the face of goal. If Liverpool fans had seen the first goal as a freak, Eagles’ effort may have knocked them down a peg or two – if nothing else, it shut the usually boisterous Liverpudlian away fans up for some time. Maxi Rodriguez almost gave Liverpool something to sing about, as he got in behind from a long punt by Pepe Reina. It really should have been 1-1, but Maxi somehow contrived to ‘miscontrol’ the ball and then handle, earning Wanderers a freekick. It was a let-off for Wanderers and should have been a wake-up call for a defence playing a high line. › Continue reading
It’s Time for Owen Coyle to Earn His Money
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 | BWFC Goals, BWFC People, Johan Elmander, John McGinlay, Mark Davies, Owen Coyle | 1 Comment
Bolton take on Wolves at the Reebok Stadium tonight with a section of the home support close to panic. It’s not surprising. Since thumping Newcastle over two months ago, the Whites haven’t played well and the last two games have seen a gutless loss to Chelsea, and a failure to beat Wigan reserves in the FA Cup.
John 'Popular in Wolverhampton' McGinlay
No one realistically expected Owen Coyle’s men to maintain the heights reached in November, but the difference in the level of performance is striking. The team has been toothless up front, disorganised in midfield and shambolic at the back. Most worrying is the complete evaporation of confidence, given that the man in charge is famed for his powers of motivation. There’s even been a new word coined to describe the situation. It’s ‘Megsonesque’, appearing in a dictionary near you soon.
Coyle has the chance to freshen things up after acquiring two new players in the transfer window. Both Gary Cahill and Zat Knight have their qualities, but as a unit they don’t work, so the arrival of David Wheater is welcome.
Up front, Kevin Davies looks old and Johan Elmander is still in a sulk that started when his contract negotiations broke down. It hasn’t occurred to the Swede that he’s still being rewarded handsomely for his lack of effort. Given that, Daniel Sturridge, on loan from Chelsea ought to start.
Johan 'I Can't be Arsed Anymore' Elmander
But it’s in midfield where the main problems lie. Matt Taylor doesn’t work on the right, Martin Petrov doesn’t work at all, Stuart Holden has suffered injuries and Fabrice Muamba relapsed to his gormless worst. The only player to emerge from that area with credit of late is Mark Davies.
Wolves are on odd side, inconsistent and physical to the point of being psychotic. But there’s a better reason to dislike them: They’re Wolves.
There’s never been much love lost between supporters of the two clubs, but things intensified in the 1990s, as Bolton won promotion to the Premier League at the expense of the Dingles, as they’re known to fans of near neighbours West Brom. Hopefully John McGinlay will be wheeled out at some point in tonight’s proceedings and club mascot Lofty the Lion will have a target pinned to his chest so that the visiting scrubbers can throw pies at him again. Ain’t nostalgia great?
The Wanderers (the real ones) have slipped into the bottom half of the table and need three points from this game. An early goal will help as will forward play that involves more than sending the ball down the channels and then hoofing it into the penalty area to no one in particular.
Bolton aren’t as good as they appeared to be late last year, but they aren’t as bad as they seem now. They should certainly have enough to see off Mick McCarthy’s side. With difficult games to come, a failure to do that could have heavy consequences. It’s time for Owen Coyle to earn his money.
- Richard McCormick
Oh Goody. Yet Another Bolton Pre-Season Preview
Friday, August 13th, 2010 | BWFC Goals, BWFC News, BWFC People, Kevin Davies, Lee Chung-Yong, Mark Davies, Matt Taylor, Owen Coyle, Phil Gartside, Premier League, Ricardo Gardner, Sam Allardyce | 1 Comment
Things couldn’t be more different. This time last year there was a collective gloom amongst Bolton fans. The previous season had ended with one win in eleven games, the summer signings were uninspiring and Gary Megson was still in charge.
There was an inevitability about the opening day defeat to Sunderland, which was far worse than the 1-0 score line suggested. That Steve Bruce’s men won only once more on their travels said it all.
St Owen of Lostock Acknowledges the Throng
This time round there’s a quiet optimism and it’s all due to one man. Owen Coyle arrived in January on a tidal wave of approval that’s yet to subside. Where Megson was dull and uninspiring, Coyle has the energetic enthusiasm of a new puppy. So much so, that you want to slap him sometimes. Putting so much faith in a manager with precisely one year’s top flight experience might not be the wisest thing, but what the hell, football supporters need hope.
Not many clubs have splashed money about in the transfer window. Bolton certainly haven’t. That’s because they haven’t got any. The much desired prolific goal scorer hasn’t arrived, but then only Nicolas Anelka and a pre-blubber Michael Ricketts, qualified for that description in the last decade, so it was always a forlorn hope.
Instead, there’s Robbie Blake, late of the unwashed hordes in Burnley. Blake’s a capable operator. It’s just a pity he’s older than God. But he may be a useful player to have on the bench, providing he doesn’t succumb to arthritis or senile dementia. Or have his zimmer frame nicked when the scallies from Liverpool come to visit.
Concessions have already been made to combat the advancing years. Drinks bottles for the other players contain Lucozade, laced with electrolytes. Robbie has Sanatogen in his. › Continue reading
Bolton Wanderers opinions you won’t read on the BBC
Monday, January 25th, 2010 | BWFC News, Mark Davies | 4 Comments
Alan Wiley gets in the mood for another balanced performance (via cliff1066)
Alan Wiley gets in the mood for another balanced performance (via cliff1066)
This post, the first by our second new guest blogger Stephen McClusky, was originally posted on the BBC 606 message board, from where it was swiftly censored on the grounds it would ’cause too much controversy’. In the interests of free speech, here it is…
I know we are probably sick of hearing about the HORRIFIC challenge on mini-Davo; however I need to express my sheer anger and disgust at what was, in my opinion. A VERY cynical (even malicious) tackle on a player who was a massive part of the game.
So here is my honest opinion…
Do you trust Gary Megson with your money?
Friday, May 29th, 2009 | Ariza Makukula, BWFC News, BWFC People, Danny Shittu, Ebi Smolarek, Fabrice Muamba, Gary Cahill, Gary Megson, Gretar Steinsson, Johan Elmander, Mark Davies, Mustapha Riga, Phil Gartside, Sebastien Puygrenier, Tamir Cohen | 10 Comments
Image via Wikipedia
The Bolton Wanderers manager wants more cash to splash… does he deserve it?
Gary Megson spent most of last season complaining about the size of his squad and he’s continued to send not-so-subtle messages to Phil Gartside and the Bolton Wanderers bank manager since the campaign ended.
Megson told The Bolton News that he’s confident of attracting big names to the Reebok, but do you trust him to spend your hard-spent season ticket cash wisely?
Let’s look at the evidence…
Reebok Round-Up (10.04.09)
Friday, April 10th, 2009 | BWFC News, BWFC People, Blerim Dzemaili, Fabrice Muamba, Gary Megson, Kevin Davies, Mark Davies, Ricardo Gardner | No Comments
What Manny Road has been reading (and thinking) about Bolton Wanderers
12 things you (probably don’t) need to know about Bolton v Middlesbrough
Saturday, April 4th, 2009 | Andy O'Brien, BWFC News, BWFC People, Gary Megson, Kevin Davies, Mark Davies | No Comments
- Image via Wikipedia
Your guide to all the predictions and Mystic Meggery ahead of Bolton Wanderers v Middlesbrough
Reasons to be cheerful
1. Middlesbrough have far more injury concerns – Tuncay, Adam Johnson, Robert Huth to name a few – than Bolton, although Andy O’Brien will be back in contention for a place, so…
2. Boro are currently 19th in the Premier League, largely because they have failed to score in 10 of their last 13 league games.
3. Gareth Southgate’s men suffered a demoralising defeat at Stoke last time out.
11 things you (probably don’t) need to know about West Brom and Bolton
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 | Abdoulaye Meite, BWFC News, BWFC People, Gary Megson, Kevin Davies, Mark Davies | No Comments
Image via Wikipedia
Your guide to all the predictions and Mystic Meggery ahead of Bolton’s trip to West Brom this afternoon
Reasons to be cheerful
1. Our chances of winning this game are better than 50/50… because under Gary Megson we have only lost 49 per cent of our matches.
2. Megson should get a good reception from the fans… the West Brom fans that is. Tony Mowbray certainly wants him to get a good welcome and Jonathan Greening has been having sleepless nights over it too, but Megson himself is not so optimistic about what the atmosphere will be like.
Bolton 1-3 Fulham: The fans’ view
Monday, March 16th, 2009 | Andy O'Brien, BWFC News, BWFC People, Chris Basham, Ebi Smolarek, Gary Cahill, Gary Megson, Gavin McCann, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Mark Davies | No Comments
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The Bolton Wanderers match report you won’t read in the papers (or see on Match of the Day)
Here’s what the various Bolton Wanderers discussion forums made of the 3-1 home defeat to Fulham on Saturday…
Positives
- “It was just a bad day at the office. There are no major problems.”
- “Gary Cahill had a good game considering who he was playing next to, he was Man of the Match” … “and Mark Davies played well too.”
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