BoltonWanderers
Ice Cold Reebok. Red Hot Football
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 | BWFC News | 3 Comments
Bolton hosted Arsenal on Wednesday, with the two sides producing probably the most exciting 0-0 draw yet seen this season. It was a night of subzero temperatures, but the football was red hot and no one watching could help but be thoroughly entertained.
Sam Ricketts fights the cold with an unusual warm up routine.
It was a disappointing result for Arsenal, but certainly not an unfair one. Bolton are vastly improved in 2012, and they produced yet another determined display. The home side did, however, have plenty of silk to go with their steel. Listening to some post-match reviews, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Bolton had bullied and harassed their way to a point against an underperforming Arsenal; not a bit of it. This was an organised and unyielding Wanderers display, but also one which displayed verve and attacking drive. Arsenal have played worse this season and still won, and Bolton deserve full credit for keeping a clean sheet against them.
The Gunners started brightly, with Bolton failing to come to grips with the pass-and-move style for which the North London outfit have become known. Indeed, in the early stages of the game, it seemed last year’s Wanderers had made an unwelcome return. The Whites followed the ball around the pitch, watching Arsenal play whilst not actively trying to stop them. As a result, the ball found its way into the box far too regularly for the home crowd’s liking, and Arsenal looked increasingly likely to take the lead.
A ball whipped in by Alex Chamberlain should have been converted, but no Arsenal player could get a touch. Minutes later the ball dropped to Walcott, but the winger took one touch too many and found himself closed down, with Ricketts clearing the ball. Then it was Robin Van Persie’s chance to squander an opening, cutting inside onto his right and then taking an age to shoot – the ball cannoned off Wheater to safety. “Too easy” was the cry from the stands. › Continue reading
Bolton Thrash Manchester City
Monday, January 30th, 2012 | Academy | No Comments
Bolton’s under-18s make short work of the rich kids from up the road. Azreal88 reports from Platt Lane.
Bolton Wanderers Under 18s secured an emphatic 3-0 win over a much fancied Manchester City side, with a performance which sets a benchmark for Lee and Kelly’s youngsters to live up to. The result shocked the decent number of City fans who had shown up, but everyone there admitted that the Wanderers deserved their win.
Is Uncle Eddie's investment starting to pay off?
City’s scholars started the game well and, as was expected, managed to retain possession and show some good touches. Bolton’s early focus was on maintaining their shape and work rate, which served to frustrate City on their home patch. As the hosts sought to produce something more inventive, they also began to turn the ball over and Wanderers looked to take advantage on the break.
As the game started to become scrappier, Bolton got their first couple of chances. A decent ball saw James Caton released down the left. The young winger took it on and got past his marker, but a slightly heavy touch allowed the ‘keeper to gather at feet. A second opportunity came shortly after, as forward Zach Clough got his head up and found Georg Iliev. Iliev needs to work on his mobility, but there’s no doubting his touch and ability on the ball; he turned well, and was unlucky to see his shot blocked.
City are rightly proud of their academy system, and they continued to pose a real threat to the Wanderers goal. As Bolton pushed forward, City countered down their right and created a good opening. Glenn Matthews failed to stay with his winger and as the ball was centred only a body-on-the-line block by Ben Dennis prevented City taking the lead. Matthews struggled in the early stages, but as he got used to the pace of his opponent he improved and showed good defensive quality. › Continue reading
Bolton Head South after Sinking the Swans
Sunday, January 29th, 2012 | BWFC Goals, BWFC People, Chris Eagles, Darren Pratley | No Comments
Bolton Wanderers face an away tie at Millwall or Southampton after disposing of fellow Premier League Swansea City. Azreal reports from the Reebok.
Bolton knocked Swansea out of the FA Cup to progress to the 5th round on Saturday. It was a deserved win for the Whites, but far from plain sailing. Goals from Daren Pratley and Chris Eagles secured the win for Bolton, after Luke Moore had given Swansea an undeserved lead.
Luke Moore. Won't be looking quite so bloody smug now. Photo ©Getty Images
Bolton started brightly, with Eagles offering the most consistent threat – combining well down the right with Joe Riley, whose swashbuckling runs were dangerous all game. Swansea played a second-string, and it showed from the offing. Eagles is never shy about getting at his fullback, and he clearly meant business whenever he got the ball. However, Eagles love of a shot is not best served on the right of midfield and his attempts to cut in onto his left usually ended in pitiful efforts on goal.
It was from a set-piece that Eagles offered his first moment of creativity, but his ball into the box was headed right at the ‘keeper. Next, Eagles cut inside for another left-footed effort, and having had a few sighters the crowd expected him to worry the goalie – he instead worried the corner flag. Chris isn’t a player who lacks confidence though, and he continued to try and make things happen, winning a corner shortly after. The ball was swung in by Martin Petrov and, as the second ball dropped, Swansea were forced to throw bodies in the way to block a shot.
Wanderers were dominating the game, yet it was a subdued performance from Bolton’s central midfielders. Darren Pratley is still finding his feet at the club, and his advanced position meant Mark Davies had to play a deeper role. Davies is at his best pushing up and looking to link play and, in trying to incorporate Pratley, Wanderers lost some of their recent rhythm. Nevertheless, Swansea’s distinct lack of bite and energy in the middle meant the Whites remained comfortable for most of the game; and getting Pratley up to speed could prove vital for Bolton in the run in. › Continue reading
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
Maybe it’s Time for Tuncay Now
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 | BWFC News | 3 Comments
The Whites go into round four of the FA Cup on cruise control. Azreal is there to see the action and to make a suggestion to St Owen.
Bolton will play Swansea in round 4 of the FA Cup after enjoying a largely comfortable 2-0 win over Macclesfield Town at the Reebok Stadium. Macclesfield did well to force a replay with the Premier League side, but quality told on Tuesday night as the Wanderers eased to victory. It was a night of contrasts, as the old cliché “a game of two halves” was played out on the pitch. Bolton started well and dominated the first half, only to switch off after the break. Macclesfield, without home advantage, failed to really get going; but managed to put in a better display in the latter stages to give their fans something to sing about.
Lofty Junior demonstrates the fine art of levitation.
The League Two side were a goal down inside the first minute, after a poor pass by Jon Bateson rebounded off Ivan Klasnic. Bateson rushed back to clear, only to completely miss the ball and slip to the ground. Klasnic seized the opportunity and centred the ball to Kevin Davies, who slid in and managed to make a scruffy connection. The shot was close to Macclesfield ‘keeper Jose Veiga, but he contrived to fumble the ball and it squirmed into the net. It wasn’t classic football from the Whites, but Bolton will take whatever luck comes their way during a difficult season.
Wanderers’ second goal showed far more of their Premier League quality than had their first, and would have graced any game. Tuncay was fed the ball by Klasnic and set off at a canter, skipping through the challenge of Macclesfield’s Arnaud Mendy and sliding the ball to Petrov who was advancing down the left. The Bulgarian winger, who put in a real shift in the first half, still had plenty to do, but his first touch was good and his second teed the ball up nicely; allowing him to blast a shot goalward. The pace and swerve on the shot clearly surprised Veiga, who was beaten at his near post.
Wanderers didn’t look satisfied with 2-0, and sought to kill the game off in the first half, creating several more chances. Tuncay’s forays into the centre often lead to neat interchanges, and one such could easily have lead to Wanderers going three up. Ricketts fed the ball to Petrov, who was afforded time and space to pick his pass. The ball was played to the feet of Tuncay, whose deft heel-flick found Klasnic on the edge of the box. Had the ball fallen to Klasnic’s left, it would almost certainly have been buried past the visiting ‘keeper, but Klasnic is less adept with his right and his first time shot went wide of the post. Other opportunities presented themselves, but a lack of quality in the final third meant Wanderers were unable to breach Macclesfield for a third time. › Continue reading
Bolton’s Young Guns Outshine the Old Hands
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 | Academy, Adam Blakeman, Andy Kellett, BWFC People, Jay Linch, Michael O'Halloran | 1 Comment
Bolton Reserves 1 Liverpool Reserves 1. Azreal88 reports from Leyland.
Monday night saw Bolton reserves host Liverpool at the Leyland ground, in a game with Jekyll and Hyde performances from both teams. Wanderers put out a side containing some experienced players who, you’d presume, were looking to impress Wanderers staff enough to warrant first team selection; it didn’t work out that way. In good playing conditions, it was two of Bolton’s ‘bright young things’ who impressed, with largely disappointing displays from their senior teammates.
Andy Kellett Goes one on one with Nathan Eccleston
Wanderers lined-up in a nominal 4-4-2 formation, with Tuncay and Blake apparently given a degree of freedom to roam. It was refreshing to watch two sides who clearly wanted to play football, both passing forward from the back and showing decent movement in midfield. Liverpool’s 4-5-1, switching to 4-3-3 at times, allowed for some lovely interchange in possession and forced Wanderers to stay compact for periods of the game.
A worrying early error from Dedryck Boyata, turning out at centre half for this one, was a sign of things to come. Boyata looked to put pressure on the ball near the halfway line, but instead saw the ball simply knocked past him and his man skip away from him and set off down field. It was the first of several embarrassing moments for Boyata, who seemed intent upon underestimating the pace and skill of Liverpool’s youngsters; it was largely a night to forget for the big defender, who is on loan from Man City. › Continue reading
The Year of the Un-Coyled: Part Two
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 | BWFC News, BWFC People, Gary Cahill, Kevin Davies, Owen Coyle | 2 Comments
The new season beckons. Excitement mounts. Yeah right…
Comings and Goings
The summer transfer market was slow, with attempts to offload Gary Cahill for a handsome fee meeting with failure. The desire to get rid couldn’t have been more obvious if a small ad had been placed in the classifieds.
‘For Sale : Top class international defender. Two careful owners. All offers considered.’
For sale to a good home. Or any home, in exchange of a big sack of cash.
The bid from Arsenal was derisory and caused tension between the two clubs, while ‘Arry Redknapp, true to character, made enquiries a few minutes before the end of the window. The behaviour of the interested clubs was disrespectful to Bolton and to Cahill, who it should be noted, has behaved impeccably. He will move to Chelsea later this month with the best wishes of Whites fans.
Ali Al-Habsi was sold to Wigan, Matt Taylor to West Ham and Danny Ward to Huddersfield to give Coyle some working capital. Eight new players were brought in, some on loan. None of them can be considered an unqualified success. Note the polite phrasing of that last sentence.
Pre-season was overshadowed by the broken leg sustained by Lee Chung-Yong in a friendly at Newport County. When top flight sides play such fixtures against non league opposition there’s a tacit agreement that it won’t be an eyeballs out affair. A shame that no one told Tom Miller. Or maybe they did and he’s a psychopath.
The First False Dawn
Whatever confidence there was evaporated when the fixture list for 2011-12 was published. Five of the leading clubs were to be faced early on. QPR imploded in the first game of the season giving the Wanderers an easy 4-0 triumph and a creditable loss against Manchester City took place a week after.
Then it was downhill accelerating, with feeble performances against Liverpool, Manchester United, Norwich, Arsenal and Chelsea. The worst fears had been realised. › Continue reading
Bolton Wanderers 2011 – The Year of the Un-Coyled
Sunday, January 1st, 2012 | BWFC Goals, BWFC People, Lee Chung-Yong, Nat Lofthouse, Phil Gartside | 3 Comments
And so 2011 ends. A year in which Bolton started in sixth position in the Premier League, and finished in bottom place, needing close to a miracle to avoid relegation.
Mark Davies gets to grips with his defensive duties.
The last game, a home draw against fellow strugglers Wolves has aroused much anger, but there were signs of things on which to build. Owen Coyle’s side moved the ball around well at times and in recent outings Mark Davies has at last started to fulfil his potential as a creative midfielder, as well as improving his tracking back and tackling.
But the same defensive frailties remain and there is a lack of fire power up front, to which David N’Gog isn’t the answer, despite his other qualities. Even if the Wanderers put a consistent run of results together, there may simply be too much to do.
Off the field, things have been at least as bad. Burnden Leisure PLC, the parent company of Bolton Wanderers announced losses of £26 million bringing the total debt to £110 million. Some parties did well out of it. Moonshift Investments, a company controlled by club owner Eddie Davies which provides loan facilities, took £5 million in interest payments and is owed a £2.8 million ‘player success fee’. › Continue reading
The Strange and Confusing World of Phil Gartside
Monday, December 5th, 2011 | BWFC News | 14 Comments
Smiley Phil
“I’ve got to say, that Stuart Parker’s one of my favourite players, but if he’s going to score from there he’s one hell of a player.” The words came from Bolton chairman Phil Gartside who was speaking on the BBC’s Five Live, in the wake of an entirely predictable thrashing at Tottenham Hotspur.
Who Stuart Parker is, hasn’t yet been established.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, Gary Cahill was sent off for legging up Scott Parker after his clumsy touch had given the Spurs midfielder a run on goal, albeit from a somewhat unlikely position.
By the time he spoke to Mark Chapman on the Beeb, Gartside was in a forgiving frame of mind.
“We had a game against Stoke the other week. I know the Stoke chairman Peter Coates described Howard Webb as disgraceful. I’m not going to say that about Stuart Atwell,” he commented.
Grumpy Phil
You’re not? How kind. Oh, hold on. Wind the clock back half an hour or so, and here’s what Gartside told Greater Manchester Radio.
“The refereeing decision, to quote Peter Coates, when he said about Howard Webb and the decision at Bolton, is an absolute disgrace.
“The authorities will look at that and my statement, that the referee’s a disgrace, is probably questionable, but we’ve had some bad decisions this season.”
After the softening of his position on air, Garty returned to grumpy mode on the way home, just after passing through Sandbach.
“Get a life and look at the injuries,” he tweeted from his iPhone to one supporter who had suggested that taking 9 points from a possible 42 made it hard to ‘keep the faith’.
Maybe Phil’s hormonal. Or perhaps there’s more than one of him and one Phil doesn’t know what the other’s doing. That might explain a few things.
Nasty Phil.
- Richard McCormick
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