Southampton
Bolton’s Cup Hopes Take a Beating
Thursday, January 12th, 2012 | Academy | 1 Comment
Bolton went out of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night, despite putting in a solid performance at the Reebok. Saints were favourites to advance to the next round, but were made to work for it by a spirited Wanderers side, having to fight back from a goal down to secure victory.
Southampton's defenders had a distinct size advantage.
The Whites started slowly, with Southampton passing the ball well and leaving their opposite numbers chasing shadows. Bolton looked incapable of dealing with their opponents’ pace and movement, but Saints failed to find the final ball needed to really open-up the home defence. The young Trotters didn’t help their own cause, as Lewis Fielding sent every goal kick sailing towards the heads of the Wanderers’ strikers, who were dwarfed by the away side’s defence; resulting in little possession for Lee and Kelly’s boys.
However, Saints’ dominance was not to last. Bolton slowly came to grips with the pace of the game, and pulled themselves back into the match through sheer determination. As Bolton began closing-down swiftly in all areas, Saints’ neat passing game started to unravel. When Saints gave the ball away cheaply in midfield, it fell to the extremely impressive James Caton. Caton skilfully moved the ball forward and fed striker Zach Clough, who showed quick thinking and equally quick feet to return the ball to Caton, who had continued his run. It was bad luck that the pass sped just beyond him on the slick pitch, when he would have been through on goal. It was a sign of things to come from Caton, who had the beating of his fullback all night.
Southampton remained dangerous, thanks mostly to basic errors from the home side. A routine ball into the box was spilt by Fielding and fell to Jordan Turnbull. Turnbull’s snap-shot looked goal-bound, but Andy Kellett was on hand to clear off the line and save his goalkeeper’s blushes. It was Kellett’s first real involvement, but it was certainly not his last. › Continue reading
Relegation fodder …
Monday, June 20th, 2011 | BWFC Goals, BWFC News, BWFC People, Premier League | 3 Comments
Would you buy a second hand car off these boys?
Aspirations have changed at Bolton since the dark days of Gary Megson. The arrival of Owen Coyle followed by our impressive start to the season had the more optimistic of us counting air miles and dusting off our Bulgarian phrase-books. Even when European qualification had passed us by – embarrassingly so in the cup – a top half finish was still on the cards right up to the end of the season.
Never mind. Coyle’s inherited Megson’s bunch of cloggers. Once he’s had the summer to make serious changes, we’ll be back to chasing Europe again. Surely relegation battles are a thing of the past? Aren’t they?
Maybe not. Our form after Christmas was relegation-standard, and the end of the season – five defeats on the bounce – was abysmal. It wouldn’t be the first time poor form at the end of one season has carried over to the next. Add to that our tough start to the season and it wouldn’t be a great surprise to see us rock-bottom after the first seven games. We’ll have easier runs to follow, but everything looks that bit tougher if you’re sat at the bottom and confidence may have taken a bit of a battering. › Continue reading
Should Bolton Cash in on Ali Al Habsi?
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 | BWFC News, BWFC People | 7 Comments
Ali-Al Habsi is a gifted player, but there’s logic in letting him leave…
It’s hard not to be amused by the situation at Wigan Athletic. Getting pasted by Chelsea is a fate that’s befallen quite a few teams recently, but being on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing at home to Blackpool can only be classed as utter humiliation. The Latics aren’t particularly significant, but the thought of their relegation has appeal. It’ll be like getting rid of a tramp who’s been sleeping on the doorstep.
Now there’s another reason for Whites fans to look at the Premier League’s least fashionable club. Bolton reserve goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi is currently on loan at the Dave Whelan stadium, and rumour has it that Roberto Martinez wants to make the arrangement a permanent one.
'Why are sending me to Wigan? Why?..........
Al-Habsi has had the misfortune of being around at the same time as Jussi Jaaskelainen, one of the top flight’s most consistent performers. The big Omani hasn’t let anyone down when called upon. He gave a fine display at Bayern Munich in the UEFA cup and performed heroically at the end of the 2007-8 season, when Jaaskelainen was injured.
So getting rid would be folly, right? Well, not necessarily. Bolton have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to goal keepers and Adam Bogdan, who made his debut in the League Cup tie at Southampton may prove to be the best of them.
‘I have belief in the lad, that is why we were able to let Ali Al-Habsi out on loan because I knew Adam was competent and ready to go in goal and he showed his qualities in this match.’, said Owen Coyle in an interview after the game.
Regular reserve team watchers already know how good Bogdan is. The Hungary under-21 international arrived in 2007 and it was clear even then that he was a cut above. He’s big, a great all rounder and commands his area well. Since then he’s had the benefit of Fred Barber’s coaching, and is now ready to make the step up.
It will be sad to see Al-Habsi go, but he deserves his chance at the top level, and he’s certainly an improvement on Kamikaze Kirkland, Wigan’s current incumbent. The current bid, thought to be £1.5 million must be rejected, but if the pie-eaters get realistic with their valuation then Owen Coyle should do the deal.
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