Richard McCormick
Gary Cahill to Leave – In Exchange for a Truck Load of Players
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 | BWFC News, BWFC People, Gary Cahill, Kevin Davies, Richard McCormick | 2 Comments
The long running Gary-Cahill-to-leave-but-we-don’t-know-how-much-for-and-where-to continues this morning with the skunks in the press being particularly inventive.
Eboue flys, without assistance from an airline
Matt Law, in an ‘exclusive’ for the Daily Express, figures that Arsenal will offer Henri Lansbury, Carlos Vela, Armand Traore and Emmanuel Eboue as part of a deal for Bolton’s star centre back.
This will be unwelcome news for Eboue, who was involved in a spat with Kevin Davies at the Reebok in 2006 and has never quite recovered. The Ivorian international has already catered for this eventuality, obtaining a Belgian passport to make his detection more difficult. He was last seen on the M25, heading for Heathrow, with final destination unknown.
Across town at Spurs, Harry Redknapp is prepared to trade Sebastien Bassong, Robbie Keane, Jermaine Jenas and Alan Hutton according to the Daily Mail. This motley crew is worth £17 million apparently, matching Cahill’s asking price. However, if Jenas is excluded, the value of the players offered rises to £20 million.
If it’s ok with Messrs Wenger and Redknapp, we’d rather have the money, thanks.
- Richard McCormick
Follow @RMc2407
Bolton’s Bottlers Deserved their Beating
Monday, April 18th, 2011 | BWFC Goals, BWFC News, BWFC People, Football Association, Richard McCormick | 1 Comment
And so the cup run ends. Not with glory, but in a haze of disappointment and humiliation. As Bolton rolled over in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final, the most surprised people were the players of Stoke City. They’d expected to play a side placed eighth in the Premier League. Instead they were faced with what appeared to be a pub team who’d prepared for the game with a particularly gruelling bender.
How high do I need to raise it Owen ?
In case what follows appears grudging, it should be acknowledged that Stoke deserved their win and that the margin of victory did not flatter them. As stated on these pages previously, Tony Pulis’s side are more than the one-dimensional hoofers that they often portrayed as. They are admirably organised in midfield and have willing runners who are prepared to carry the ball through the centre of the park and place it in an area inconvenient to the opposition. Should they beat Manchester City in next month’s final, it will be a good day for football.
That said, the Wanderers didn’t just dig their own grave. They embalmed the body, drove the hearse to the cemetery and heaped soil on the rotting corpse. › Continue reading
The Mu and Stu Show Rules Again
Sunday, December 12th, 2010 | BWFC Goals, BWFC People, Fabrice Muamba, Richard McCormick, Sam Allardyce, Sam Ricketts, Stuart Holden | No Comments
It wasn’t a classic performance. Or even a good one. There was none of the swashbuckling style that swept away Spurs and Newcastle. But as the curtain comes down on a year of improved fortunes for Bolton Wanderers, this victory over Blackburn Rovers and the first defeat of a Sam Allardyce side since he left the Reebok, will be cherished as much as the ones mentioned above.
The first half could be described in three words. Nothing much happened. The home side started better and used the channels well, but the crosses into the penalty area were dealt with easily and as the interval beckoned, Blackburn were in the ascendancy, without creating much in the way of clear chances.
Party time for Sam
The second period started at a higher tempo and tempers started to fray. Ten minutes in, and the Whites were down to ten men when Mark Davies collected a second yellow card after leading with his elbow on Phil Jones.
Owen Coyle’s side wobbled, and as they often do, took time to adjust to a setback. The visitors took control and the toothless, many fingered hordes who’d travelled down the A666 were already celebrating an anticipated victory.
Just as the cause was looking lost, salvation came from an unlikely source. With the exit of Davies, Lee Chung-Yong had been replaced with Fabrice Muamba and Johan Elmander given the right flank to work. The Swede drew a foul and from a Sam Ricketts free kick Ryan Nelson headed clear. The ball fell to Muamba who rounded the advancing New Zealander.
At this point, guided by experience, the pigeons on top of the North stand were preparing to find a different resting spot, but the midfielder’s low drive was expertly placed, just inside the near post. Muamba reverted by type by falling over during in the goal celebration and the guests from East Lancashire went quiet.
Moments later it seemed the lead had been doubled, but referee Mark Clattenburg disallowed Martin Petrov’s effort because he felt like it.
From then on, Blackburn threw everything at Bolton, including the kitchen sink, fixtures and fittings, and a tatty sofa that they’d brought from Ewood Park for Sam Allardyce to sit on.
The home defence stood firm, especially Paul Robinson, who threw himself in front of everything that moved. It was a pity then, just as the storm seemed to have been weathered, that the visitors were level, three minutes from the end, when Mame Biram Diouf picked up Jason Roberts’s first-time pass, advanced down the left side of the penalty area and chipped the ball over Jussi Jaaskelainen, aided by a slight deflection off Gary Cahill. Sam was up off his sofa and dancing around like a two year old.
Oops
The celebration didn’t last long. About forty-five seconds. From the restart, Muamba laid the ball back to Sam Rickett’s who launched a perfectly angled long ball into enemy territory. For once, Kevin Davies won the aerial battle and his head-on found Stuart Holden. The man from Dallas, so often Bolton’s midfield destroyer, finished like a seasoned striker, taking the ball on his chest and then volleying home. Holden’s mock celebratory faint is an in joke amongst the players, but it summed up the feelings of the Reebok faithful. Sam looked as if someone had nicked his rusk.
Allardyce was miffed in defeat. ‘To do what we did after we scored is absolutely diabolical from my point of view,’ he complained.
Big Sam hasn’t yet received due credit for what he achieved at the Reebok and in the eyes of some fans, the manner of his leaving and behaviour afterward have tainted the memory. But that discussion is for another time. Today, there are just three more words.
Up yours fatty.
- Richard McCormick
It’s Time to Beat the Blackburn Jinx
Sunday, December 12th, 2010 | BWFC News, Premier League, Richard McCormick | No Comments
‘Gary Megson, You’re a wanker,You’re a wanker’
It’s a pleasing way to start an article on Bolton Wanderers isn’t it? At some point in the future the words may be etched on the Ginger One’s tombstone.
It wasn’t the first time that chant had been aimed at Megson, but the significance, in the context of today’s game, is that it signalled yet another failure to beat Blackburn Rovers, this time after leading 2-0 in, January 2009 at Ewood Park.
It’s been a familiar story over the past few years. Whilst overall the head to head is close (Wanderers 56 wins, Rovers 53) recent encounters have very much favoured the team from the other end of the Devil’s Highway. At the Reebok, Bolton haven’t beaten Blackburn since before both clubs returned to the Premier League a decade ago.
In the main, those games have been dire to watch, with a 0-0 score line featuring more than it should. That Sky continues to televise the fixture shows they aren’t taking much notice.
There’s also another jinx that needs laying to rest. Since Sam Allardyce took his ‘break’ from football in 2007, only to pitch up at Newcastle a fortnight later, he hasn’t been defeated when his sides have faced Bolton. Last season Allardyce didn’t even need to be at the game. The big man watched his side score an easy 2-0 win from a hospital bed, after having a heart fitted.
Sam and Jussi have a chat. Note the position of the ball
Things descended into grim comedy that day, with Sam Ricketts executing a routine headed back pass to his own goalkeeper, only to find a large space where he’d expected Jussi Jaakelainen to be. Game over.
By that stage Megson was hanging from a cliff with thousands of people queuing up to stamp on his fingers. Metaphorically speaking that is, much to the regret of the home support.
The mood is much lighter now and today’s match will be a test of how far Owen Coyle has progressed with his quest to play a more enterprising brand of football. The visitors will no doubt defend deep, be well organised and attempt to stifle the game in the final third.
There is nothing wrong with that approach. Whilst a pass and move game might be pleasing to the eye, it’s results that count, as Alan Pardew will tell you when he’s sacked next Easter.
Coyle’s side have some making up to do. Last time out there was a no-show at Manchester City, preceded by a barely deserved draw against a Blackpool side still inspired by the wurzel on smack that is Ian Holloway.
Both games were marked by the absence of Stuart Holden, the Whites best player this season, who is expected to resume his partnership with Fabrice Muamba. How they perform will be pivotal.
The away team will be happy with a point, but the Wanderers need three, to restore the momentum, lift them back into the top six, and to nail a double bogey that’s lasted for too long.
- Richard McCormick
It Shouldn’t Happen to a Smoggie
Monday, October 25th, 2010 | BWFC News, BWFC People, Phil Gartside, Richard McCormick | No Comments
Speculation that Gary Megson will join Middlebrough continues, which is pleasing – unless you support that club. The comments below, taken from Smoggies forum, oneBoro.com demonstrate the feeling.
‘..mowbray it is then all im thinkin now is please please dont be megson’
‘NOT MEGSON’
‘I don’t care if we get Donald Duck as long as he gets us winning matches, as long as it isn’t Megson’
‘Gary Megson and Phil Brown… jesus, i’m ready to slash my wrists, although I might just wait until we have a definite announcement! f*****g Gary Megson!!’
The Bolton News got in on the act on Thursday.
‘Middlesbrough close in on Megson’, ran the headline.
Wanderers fans would like to close in on the Ginger One, but only in the same way that a pride of hungry lions would do on an unsuspecting warthog.
It’s not been easy being a ‘Boro fan for a while now. Gareth Southgate, relegation, failure to win promotion and a soulless stadium in the middle of an industrial wasteland have seen to that. They’ve only just got rid of one copper-topped wazzock, it seems cruel to foist another upon them.
Meanwhile, Megson has been spending his spare hours (ie all of them) helping out at the local homeless shelter. With limited success we understand.
Wayne’s Staying Put
The most amusing sight of last week was the staff at Old Trafford hurriedly ripping down the giant poster of Wayne Rooney that adorned the front of the building, as Britain’s most high profile user of escort services announced that he was off on his toes.
Since then there’s been a change of heart. Speculation about why has failed to find an answer. A wage increase? Promises of squad strengthening? Bananas?
Yes, you read that last bit right. A few years ago, citizens of Coacalco, Mexico, stormed the town hall and forced the mayor to resign, but not until after they’d made him eat twelve pounds of bananas.
Perhaps the seething mob who congregated outside Rooney’s house last Thursday night, tried the same tactic. Given the Chav Master General’s resemblance to a certain primate it was worth a shot.
A New Start for the BWSA
The cardigan and slippers brigade aka Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association has needed a swift boot up the arse for some time now. Last Tuesday, at the AGM, it may have received one, as new members were co-opted onto the committee.
The Gang of Four weren't welcomed by everyone
The move was opposed by a highly vocal trio of blue rinsers, who placed a delightfully bitchy post on the Bolton News Forum dubbing the newbies the ‘Gang of Four’, and declaring that they had bad hair and less than snappy dress sense. Ooh.
Despite falling attendances and a bleak economic outlook, crowds at the Reebok still top 20,000. The Junior Whites boasts a membership of 11,000. Bolton, as a town, has a population of a quarter of a million. Sixty-five people attended Tuesday’s meeting.
Placing blame for that situation would be as pointless, as it is unfair. With a new and popular manager, and a feeling of excitement that has been absent for some years, it’s time to look to the future. Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has spoken of the need to reconnect with the fans. Having to find them first makes the exercise more difficult than it might be.
Future developments will be discussed here, on a dedicated website, and in the match programme. In the meantime, if you’d like more details about joining the BWSA (cardigan wearers still welcome) then drop an e-mail to roadrunner@bwfc.co.uk
- Richard McCormick
A Visit to the Great Unwashed
Friday, October 22nd, 2010 | BWFC News, Premier League, Richard McCormick | No Comments
Bolton travel through bandit country on Saturday, to meet Wigan Athletic at the Dave Whelan Stadium (or whatever it’s called these days) with mixed memories of games there.
In 2005, the Whites played a Carling Cup fixture following a 4-0 thumping of Everton at Goodison Park. Much was expected, but Sam Allardyce’s side went down 2-0 after woeful defending.
There were better times the following season, with a 3-1 league win, courtesy of a brace from Andranik, or Teymourian the Iranian as Tony Gubba less than snappily dubbed him. Ando never fulfilled the promise shown that day and is now back in Iran.
The low point came in 2008, under a certain Ginger gentleman. Gary Megson had left most of the first team squad in the departure lounge at Manchester Airport a few days previously as he took a collection consisting of reserves, apprentices and a couple of passing electricians to Sporting Lisbon for a UEFA cup tie. Defeat resulted.
The plan was to leave first choice players fresh for the relegation battle, but it backfired horribly. Bolton performed abysmally and were beaten by a Wigan side who played with ten men for 85 minutes after Jason Koumas was sent off.
Wigan fans greet the players as they arrive at the JJ...er DW Stadium
‘That’s why you’re you’re going down,’ chanted the toothless, hunchbacked hordes, otherwise known as the home support. A diet consisting solely of meat pies, dripping and Uncle Joe’s mintballs has a lot to answer for.
Even though Premier League status was preserved at the end of the campaign, many never forgave Megson, especially those who had shelled out to go to Portugal.
The mood at the Reebok is a good deal better now, with both players and fans enthused by the appointment of Owen Coyle. The Wanderers boss was even generous enough to lend Ali Al-Habsi to the little club up the road, and he has been Wigan’s best performer. Gladly, the big Omani is ineligible for the coming fixture, leaving the ham-fisted and frequently injured Chris Kirkland to deputise.
This is a difficult game to judge. Roberto Martinez’s team play neat football at times, but they’re horribly inconsistent and defensively suspect. The pitch may play a role too, but that’s what you get when its primary use is for Rugby League. If the points are shared, there won’t be complaints from either side.
- Richard McCormick
Roll up, roll up….. Guest Bloggers wanted….
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 | BWFC News, Marc Iles, Richard McCormick | No Comments
MannyRoad, is opening its famous doors to any and all budding Bloggers….! You don’t have to be a Richard McCormick (he’s already here) or a Marc Iles… Just put your feelings and thoughts about BWFC or football in general down and send them to us… don’t worry if you’re not a keyboard wizard, articles can be tidied up if need be.
The same applies if you have an idea for an article, but don’t feel up to writing it. Let us know what you have in mind and we’ll see what we can do.
Just contact us with your email address and we’ll get back to you…!
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