Thought Bolton's players had a bit of everything. They were mobile, physical, they could all play with the ball at their feet, all looked intelligent footballers. Meanwhile our ragtag rejects can do some things but not others. And the things they can do, they can only do sometimes.
Reality check for anyone who was foolish enough to believe we are now a playoff challenger. Bolton much much better than us at the business ends of the pitch. We remain decent 40 yards from either goal, but neither prevent or create enough chances to win consistently.
I would say that we got into just as many good areas as they did but, while they excelled and finding space and picking out players with accurate clever passes, we, once again, excelled at running down dead ends and picking out defenders with our final ball.
Fraser the only one of our attacking players close to having that speed of foot and mind but even he does a nice line in passing to defenders when it really counts.
Hate digging out individuals, but I have to get it off my chest, I thought Bonne was shite and offered no more than Stockley would have done. And was moaning at his teammates almost as much as well. Doesn’t look to have evolved as a player at all in his time away. Still looks not quite fast enough, not quite strong enough, and not quite bright enough.
There is a gulf between us and the play off contenders. We need to strengthen all over the pitch. It really is time to end the Morgan experiment - he needs to move on - as does Jack Payne.
Having said that, no complaints towards the players today, as they played with some spirit against a stronger team who had far more nous than us.
How many points has Innis cost us this season, needs dropping.
I don't think Inniss is the player most deserving of blame for that goal. His header was poor but he was pulled to the wrong side by a total defensive collapse. Penney got done out on the wing, Ness came all the way across to cover but failed to mop it up while Penney didn't reset which meant we had two defenders out of the game. Inniss went with the defender and didn't make the clearance, but then Clare and AMB got into a mix up where Clare should have pressured the attacker and AMB should have stayed put but instead they did neither between them and left an open goal. A rare goal where the entire 5 in the defensive unit need to have a think
Reality check for anyone who was foolish enough to believe we are now a playoff challenger. Bolton much much better than us at the business ends of the pitch. We remain decent 40 yards from either goal, but neither prevent or create enough chances to win consistently.
I would say that we got into just as many good areas as they did but, while they excelled and finding space and picking out players with accurate clever passes, we, once again, excelled at running down dead ends and picking out defenders with our final ball.
Fraser the only one of our attacking players close to having that speed of foot and mind but even he does a nice line in passing to defenders when it really counts.
Hate digging out individuals, but I have to get it off my chest, I thought Bonne was shite and offered no more than Stockley would have done. And was moaning at his teammates almost as much as well. Doesn’t look to have evolved as a player at all in his time away. Still looks not quite fast enough, not quite strong enough, and not quite bright enough.
I too found Bonne disappointing, ran around a lot, offered little. Need someone to replace Morgan, just not good enough. Apart from the goal offered nothing. Things really do have to change in the summer. Retain players like him and we will be in the same position this time next season.
How many points has Innis cost us this season, needs dropping.
I don't think Inniss is the player most deserving of blame for that goal. His header was poor but he was pulled to the wrong side by a total defensive collapse. Penney got done out on the wing, Ness came all the way across to cover but failed to mop it up while Penney didn't reset which meant we had two defenders out of the game. Inniss went with the defender and didn't make the clearance, but then Clare and AMB got into a mix up where Clare should have pressured the attacker and AMB should have stayed put but instead they did neither between them and left an open goal. A rare goal where the entire 5 in the defensive unit need to have a think
Dobson and Penny (I think that's the two it was) sort of stood there and watched as Inniss came out of his position to full the gapping hole Ness had made. One of the big differences between us and Bolton is they had two players in the middle attacking it and we only had 2 defending. If that ball had gone into their box they would have had a 3v1 in their favour.
Their gaffer has had almost as many years to work on his team, and squad, than Holden has had weeks.
I think I am right in saying that once in 10 years we have ended the season with the same manager and owner as we started it, we went up that year! It's not rocket science is it?
How many points has Innis cost us this season, needs dropping.
I don't think Inniss is the player most deserving of blame for that goal. His header was poor but he was pulled to the wrong side by a total defensive collapse. Penney got done out on the wing, Ness came all the way across to cover but failed to mop it up while Penney didn't reset which meant we had two defenders out of the game. Inniss went with the defender and didn't make the clearance, but then Clare and AMB got into a mix up where Clare should have pressured the attacker and AMB should have stayed put but instead they did neither between them and left an open goal. A rare goal where the entire 5 in the defensive unit need to have a think
Dobson and Penny (I think that's the two it was) sort of stood there and watched as Inniss came out of his position to full the gapping hole Ness had made. One of the big differences between us and Bolton is they had two players in the middle attacking it and we only had 2 defending. If that ball had gone into their box they would have had a 3v1 in their favour.
Their gaffer has had almost as many years to work on his team, and squad, than Holden has had weeks.
I think I am right in saying that once in 10 years we have ended the season with the same manager and owner as we started it, we went up that year! It's not rocket science is it?
You're right, I left out Dobson who could have dropped in to plug that gap but didn't, good spot.
There is a gulf between us and the play off contenders. We need to strengthen all over the pitch. It really is time to end the Morgan experiment - he needs to move on - as does Jack Payne.
Having said that, no complaints towards the players today, as they played with some spirit against a stronger team who had far more nous than us.
Yeah I think this about sums it up. Holden has done well with the squad he's got but the difference between a team that a manager has been backed in building and shaping over time, and the ramshackle remnants of four different managers trying to work under a narcissistic glory hound is night and day.
Give ANY of the managers (Adkins, Jackson, Garner or Holden) proper backing and time and we'd be a lot better off than we are now. The problems start right at the top and until that changes mid table mediocrity is the best we can hope for.
(Bowyer I've excluded purely because he left by choice instead of being churned out.)
I had Bolton in my top two and I could still see them going very close. Nothing happened today that should've been a surprise other than we never threw the towel in despite not being able to unlock the Bolton defence and then we were vulnerable to every attack.
The last teams that I can remember having so many shots at our goal was Leeds and Brentford in the Championship: we won both games 1-0 but the difference was we parked two buses after going 1 up and relied on those teams missing their myriad of chances, and blocks galore.
Quite right we don't play like that in the 3rd tier and we should get at teams at the Valley. If we had gone 2-1 today then possible against a team like Bolton you do retreat a tad and defend so they don't have space.
Still thinks it important that a couple of high wage players * ( by Cafc standards) are moved on and Holden can do his utmost to try to get a 10th to 8th finish. Holden wants that but will it happen with a couple more coming in before Feb 1st.
If Sky are correct and we have used 32 players which is more than anyone else this season then you don't need a football analyst to tell you why some players are not forming partnerships.
* Stockley and Kirk if Holden decides that is for the best.
I thought we played well & did our best. They were miles better than us & could have scored 5 or 6 if they could finish. I thought they were the best L1 team at The Valley this season.
Disappointing but hey ho we gave it a go! Major surprise was Bonne starting instead of Leaburn. We could/should have been 3- 0 down at halftime but fought hard to stay in the game. Main difference between the teams was Bolton being organised and calm and more or less in control and us being a bit frantic. It was more even in the second half. Then the Iniss howler and we are losing again. Glad we didn't get Jerome. Think Penney will be good and Bonne will do a job for us.
Reality check for anyone who was foolish enough to believe we are now a playoff challenger. Bolton much much better than us at the business ends of the pitch. We remain decent 40 yards from either goal, but neither prevent or create enough chances to win consistently.
I would say that we got into just as many good areas as they did but, while they excelled and finding space and picking out players with accurate clever passes, we, once again, excelled at running down dead ends and picking out defenders with our final ball.
Fraser the only one of our attacking players close to having that speed of foot and mind but even he does a nice line in passing to defenders when it really counts.
Hate digging out individuals, but I have to get it off my chest, I thought Bonne was shite and offered no more than Stockley would have done. And was moaning at his teammates almost as much as well. Doesn’t look to have evolved as a player at all in his time away. Still looks not quite fast enough, not quite strong enough, and not quite bright enough.
Echo all of that, especially the bit about Bonne. Thought we pulled QPR's pants down when they paid us £2m for him & nothing I've seen since has made me change my mind.
Why oh why do we always go for the wrong player. Stockton is available yet we go for another non scoring forward.
I thought we played well & did our best. They were miles better than us & could have scored 5 or 6 if they could finish. I thought they were the best L1 team at The Valley this season.
I can't remember many games over the last two and a half years where that was true, and we proper players in almost every position and the other team were just too good for us. The only other one that springs to mind is Posh under Adkins.
Bang average performance against a side slightly better than us, JRS miss in the second half just about summed it up. Innis is at times a liability, for a big lad doesn't win many headers. Penney looked lightweight and was no wonder Ipswich put him out on loan. Holden needs backing with a few quid, but once again an underwhelming window. Another season in the 3rd division beckons.
strangest part of the day, sitting in the North Upper and my Flashscore app pings goal Bolton…1-2…..I show my mate and we carry on watching, they attack down the right and less than 60 seconds after the ping, they score.
It was a good game, despite the result. There's definitely more about the team under Holden than under Garner but we just don't have players of the calibre of Bolton's. Their Man Utd loanee, Shola Shoretire looked some player before he went off injured and Almeida Santos is as good a centre half as I've seen in this division and they bring quality strikers off the bench.
Probably another season of mid-table mediocrity, sadly, but that's a step up from a relegation fight.
Can't fault the effort but today showed exactly what we are, a very average 3rd Divison side. If Bolton had been 3 up at half time it would not have been unjust.
Great to get back into it.
The money and time that has been wasted by this owner should not be forgotten, just clear off take the family with you and let us start to rebuild
For me the standouts. AMB kept us in the game. Worth a goal advantage. Looking like our number 1 for next season.
Rak Saki is such quality it is a joy to watch him, despite his youthful errors, he is far and away put most skillful player. Good luck for him in the championship next season.
Bonne was invisible, similar to what happens when Stockley plays. Doesn't create anything for himself, unlike Rak Saki who can. He isn't going to be the forward line answer post summer.
Ness is doing a good solid job. Lots of timely blocks.
Inniss, is just a lump. He's so slow I'm sure he'd struggle to catch up with himself. I'm not ever going to criticise his work ethic, in that respect he's a pro, but he's not up to standard needed to be top 2 side defender. His slack header gifted their winner.
Morgan, despite his very well taken goal, is not a scoring midfielder or creator of much.
Fraser had a go but didn't really create much which is his job.
Dobson was quite but manage few Dobson-esque blocks. Still the captain's armband is rightly his. Had a bark a few times at the team.
Holden I'm not sure his review of the first half being even was accurate but his view that so much still needs to be done at the club, on and off the pitch seems honest and as he (and every fan) sees it.
Browny said after the game he only remotely expects a single loan to come in before the window shuts, but doubts it.
All in all a very sobering afternoon. 16 points behind a 5th placed Bolton side who were better all over the pitch. The result flatters us. Dad said they are what we aspire to be on and maybe off the pitch. Agreed with the 82 Yr-old that has watched many more years of mediocre football, than I.
Thought that Santos was great for them and a big physical presence. He won just about everything and even beat Bonne in a sprint for the ball second half.
I thought we played well & did our best. They were miles better than us & could have scored 5 or 6 if they could finish. I thought they were the best L1 team at The Valley this season.
This - though I wouldn't say miles better, better but not miles better. Plus we could have had four if we could finish.
Enjoyed the game, we tried really hard and worked for each other.
Annoyingly an error leads to points dropped once again.
Comments
Fraser the only one of our attacking players close to having that speed of foot and mind but even he does a nice line in passing to defenders when it really counts.
Hate digging out individuals, but I have to get it off my chest, I thought Bonne was shite and offered no more than Stockley would have done. And was moaning at his teammates almost as much as well. Doesn’t look to have evolved as a player at all in his time away. Still looks not quite fast enough, not quite strong enough, and not quite bright enough.
There is a gulf between us and the play off contenders. We need to strengthen all over the pitch. It really is time to end the Morgan experiment - he needs to move on - as does Jack Payne.
Having said that, no complaints towards the players today, as they played with some spirit against a stronger team who had far more nous than us.
Their gaffer has had almost as many years to work on his team, and squad, than Holden has had weeks.
I think I am right in saying that once in 10 years we have ended the season with the same manager and owner as we started it, we went up that year! It's not rocket science is it?
Give ANY of the managers (Adkins, Jackson, Garner or Holden) proper backing and time and we'd be a lot better off than we are now. The problems start right at the top and until that changes mid table mediocrity is the best we can hope for.
(Bowyer I've excluded purely because he left by choice instead of being churned out.)
Nothing happened today that should've been a surprise other than we never threw the towel in despite not being able to unlock the Bolton defence and then we were vulnerable to every attack.
The last teams that I can remember having so many shots at our goal was Leeds and Brentford in the Championship: we won both games 1-0 but the difference was we parked two buses after going 1 up and relied on those teams missing their myriad of chances, and blocks galore.
Quite right we don't play like that in the 3rd tier and we should get at teams at the Valley. If we had gone 2-1 today then possible against a team like Bolton you do retreat a tad and defend so they don't have space.
Still thinks it important that a couple of high wage players * ( by Cafc standards) are moved on and Holden can do his utmost to try to get a 10th to 8th finish. Holden wants that but will it happen with a couple more coming in before Feb 1st.
If Sky are correct and we have used 32 players which is more than anyone else this season then you don't need a football analyst to tell you why some players are not forming partnerships.
* Stockley and Kirk if Holden decides that is for the best.
They were miles better than us & could have scored 5 or 6 if they could finish.
I thought they were the best L1 team at The Valley this season.
Why oh why do we always go for the wrong player. Stockton is available yet we go for another non scoring forward.
Penney looked lightweight and was no wonder Ipswich put him out on loan.
Holden needs backing with a few quid, but once again an underwhelming window.
Another season in the 3rd division beckons.
AMB
Sessegnon O'Connell Ness Penney
Morgan Dobson Fraser
Rak-Sakyi Leaburn Blackett-Taylor
strangest part of the day, sitting in the North Upper and my Flashscore app pings goal Bolton…1-2…..I show my mate and we carry on watching, they attack down the right and less than 60 seconds after the ping, they score.
f**king freaky
Probably another season of mid-table mediocrity, sadly, but that's a step up from a relegation fight.
Great to get back into it.
The money and time that has been wasted by this owner should not be forgotten, just clear off take the family with you and let us start to rebuild
AMB kept us in the game. Worth a goal advantage. Looking like our number 1 for next season.
Rak Saki is such quality it is a joy to watch him, despite his youthful errors, he is far and away put most skillful player. Good luck for him in the championship next season.
Bonne was invisible, similar to what happens when Stockley plays. Doesn't create anything for himself, unlike Rak Saki who can. He isn't going to be the forward line answer post summer.
Ness is doing a good solid job. Lots of timely blocks.
Inniss, is just a lump. He's so slow I'm sure he'd struggle to catch up with himself. I'm not ever going to criticise his work ethic, in that respect he's a pro, but he's not up to standard needed to be top 2 side defender. His slack header gifted their winner.
Morgan, despite his very well taken goal, is not a scoring midfielder or creator of much.
Fraser had a go but didn't really create much which is his job.
Dobson was quite but manage few Dobson-esque blocks. Still the captain's armband is rightly his. Had a bark a few times at the team.
Holden
I'm not sure his review of the first half being even was accurate but his view that so much still needs to be done at the club, on and off the pitch seems honest and as he (and every fan) sees it.
Browny said after the game he only remotely expects a single loan to come in before the window shuts, but doubts it.
All in all a very sobering afternoon. 16 points behind a 5th placed Bolton side who were better all over the pitch. The result flatters us. Dad said they are what we aspire to be on and maybe off the pitch. Agreed with the 82 Yr-old that has watched many more years of mediocre football, than I.
Enjoyed the game, we tried really hard and worked for each other.
Annoyingly an error leads to points dropped once again.