White Noise (Bolton at home)

Another nice day for it and a couple of pre-match beverages in town went down nicely. Nice to catch up with @Andy Mac and @Micky Finn once again. We bumped very briefly into @fired as we made our way into the East Stand. Took our seats just as the game was about to get going. Saw the ever-pleasant @Hooky feller and all was good in the world.

This is a very different Bolton outfit from the ones we've been used to seeing at this level. No longer interested in stringing passes together, and more about quick transitions and going direct. I think that nullified the game as a spectacle, as we probably play a similar brand of football now under Conor.

I felt all of the front three were well off it first half, McG in particular. And both Phillips and Connell weren't exactly at their best either. Most impressive was Vimal who I wouldn't have even started. Proving once more, I know nowt. But he looked most likely to make something happen before it inevitably broke down further up the pitch. I can only recall one glaring opportunity and that was McG missing the target at the back stick when he looked likely to score.

The oppo had some moments. But we defended well, or their lads made the wrong choices, thankfully. Whoever was 19 for them had no eyes. Can't have done. Because twice he could have put a wide player in behind Bland but didn't. Not that I'm complaining.

After the break, we looked immediately brighter. Phillips won a big header, Connell put a nice challenge in on halfway, and then we took the lead. I think it was Luca's ball over the top, and McG finally beat the offside trap (he was like Bruce Dyer before that) and went on to finish in style in front of the Ponty End.
I felt, in the moments after that, we'd go on and get a few. Bolton didn't seem to have much about them. I spoke too soon as a header flashed against the post following a set play. And then, the dismissal of Yoganathan.

I've only seen it the once, from the lower tier so I can't say for certain what happened. But it appeared - to me - to be an unnecessary lunge when already on a needless booking. I might be miles off with that assessment. But again we were faced with playing a man down for most of the second half. Not ideal and as we all know, we don't do clean sheets. I think I said to those with me, if we win this without conceding, we're going up.

The fact we took it so close is frustrating. And again, I didn't see how the equaliser came about because I was being nosey, having spotted someone walking out. One of those arrested following the Farage riot at Manvers. But yeah. By the time I turned, McAtee (obviously) was putting the ball away. Why was he booed when he came on by the way? Don't remember him doing anything wrong.

Shame to concede from a set piece though. And then it was all about hanging on for a point. Which we did pretty well, albeit having to deal with a chance or two. As you'd expect.

I predicted a draw in the preview thread (that's three from three now), and because we again made it hard for ourselves, I can't be unhappy with a point. Still unbeaten. And for me, I think we beat Bolton with 11v11. So nothing much to grumble at, barring Vimal's inexperience and a pretty loose first half for those up top.

Ratings:

Cooper 7
Bland 6 (Watson 6)
Shepherd 7
Earl 7
Ogbeta 7
Connell 7
Yoganathan 5
Phillips 6 (Farrugia 5)
Keillor-Dunn 5
McGoldrick 6 (Kelly 6)
Vickers 6 (Cleary 5)

 

Thought Vimal was one of our better players in first half. And started second half well for those few minutes. Think he has a very bright future.

He had a crap first touch for the sending off, but I'm pretty sure he also slipped. But not watched it back yet

 

From now on YT there’s no handshakes to you if I don’t get a mention on the post. Tut tut!

Think it was a fair point, they weren’t brilliant and neither were we. Scrappy game for the majority of it. Energy and hard work from both teams midfielders made sure it wasn’t a pretty game but one either team would have to produce a moment of magic to win it, which we never saw, so a draw is a fair result. Most Bolton fans on train home agreed that we will be up there come end of season and look much better organised than prior seasons.

You reds!

 

If I was offered ‘unbeaten in first 4 league & cup games’, I’d have snatched their hands off.

Bolton fans won’t mind a draw at Oakwell, and neither do I. Two decent teams that are usually there abouts at the end of the season.

Roll on Peterborough & Wimbledon. This group of players is worth watching.

 

To see you nice

 

Fair assessment I thought vimal was one of our better players before his inexperience showed with the 1st booking. Still not even sure the 2nd was a foul games gone soft I did question if conor should have swapped him at half time a big part of his game is tackling and breaking up play.

 

Fair assessment. Although I believe that Vickers deserved more than a 6. The lad ran his blood to water. On the ball he was very good at times, but off the ball when we needed to dig in, he was excellent. It's all subjective though.

 

Good report, but I can't agree with Vickers getting a 6. He was MOTM for me; skill, strength, speed, tenacity and persistence in spades.

 

Vickers 6…..really? Thought he was immense second half, ran himself into the ground both trying to get us forward and defensively. My MoM.

 

Disagree with the majority of ratings here but Vickers and Connell are miles off. They were outstanding. Solid 8s. Players performing at 5s and 6s wouldn't have got out of that game with a result

 

Not so sure missen, ratings are usually too high, nobody gets 2's, 3's or 4's which should be the basics for any professional footballer. Owt above 4 should be better than expected. An 8 should be a very good performance, 9's and 10's should be exceptional.

 

I love watching Vickers D. He’s a real ‘bums on seats’ player. Reminds me of Higgy with ball at feet.

I was impressed with him for Mansfield, but I think he’s already turned it up a notch in a Barnsley shirt. Real talent.

 

I’m not going to argue with anyone. These are my ratings, you’ll have your own. And I enjoy reading the replies and getting others’ thoughts. We all see a lot similarly, but not everything!

Boring aren’t I? No drama or arguments.

Here are the WhoScored ratings:

 

I did the same, maybe that's hindsight but the way Vimal plays if he gets a first half booking he needs subbing at HT. Looks like he's going to have a great season though, really impressed with him.

 

I agree V. Low centre of gravity and he can go either way. The ball is glued to his feet at times. His work ethic today was what impressed me most. He’s no show pony, put a right shift in with us having only 10 men.

 

My ratings

Cooper 7
Bland 7 (Watson 6)
Shepherd 7
Earl 7
Ogbeta 7
Connell 7.5
Yoganathan 6.5
Phillips 6 (Farrugia 4)
Keillor-Dunn 5
McGoldrick 6 (Kelly 6)
Vickers 7.5 (Cleary 5)

 

Pretty much spot on as I saw it.
My only disappointment was ,not subbing Yogi at half time,when he was on a yellow he really needed to stay on his feet.
Needless sending off imo.
But we look so much like a team under CH.
Defence much improved, due to players in front of them grafting ,tracking back which we missed last season.