THE build-up to Saturday's match was good; a top-four clash against cross-Pennine rivals with Jamie Proctor and Phil Parkinson up against their old club.

A good crowd was expected with Bradford City bringing a great following.

Could we bounce back after our first league defeat last week at Walsall?

It was certainly a match to look forward to.

For the first minute the match lived up to expectations as returning skipper Jay Spearing fired in a piledriver straight at their goalie Colin Doyle.

After that I felt sorry for anybody turning up late or attending their first experience of a Bolton match.

There wasn’t much to write home about. The Zorb football at half time proved to be more entertaining.

There was a lot of effort and endeavour but precious little quality and creativity.

I don’t think either team would have scored if they were still playing now.

It was a hard-fought contest with no quarter given, although at times it seemed Tom Daly must be doing some coaching at Valley Parade as they milked every tackle for a reaction from the referee.

After a bright start to the season, reality is kicking in.

Based on the teams we have played so far, there doesn’t seem to be much between any of the

sides in this league.

Some kind of order is slowly being established and thanks to our good start, we are in the right half.

However, it is going to be a battle to stay there, if we don’t improve our goals tally.

Two goals in four matches is a poor return, especially with three of the games being at home. Phil Parkinson is right to work on dead-ball situations as it can give the team the edge in tight matches but we also need to work on creating those situations, especially free kicks in dangerous

areas. Two goals will win most matches in this league.

We’re still less than a fifth of the way through the season and we are a work in progress.

We are going to need patience. There have been huge changes on and off the field at the Macron and to be honest, we’re ahead of where I thought we would be at this stage.

But naturally, I cannot wait and I just want things to get better overnight.