BOLTON WANDERERS
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Whites crash in basement battle
9:13pm Saturday 29th December 2007
Comments (78)Sunderland 3 Wanderers 1
BOLTON'S poor form away from the Reebok continued today as they crashed to defeat at the Stadium of Light against fellow strugglers Sunderland.
Striker Kenwyne Jones was destroyer-in-chief as he scored one and set up another to blow away the Whites in a powerful first-half performance.
The home side went into the lead after just 13 minutes when Jones' pass found Kieran Richardson and the former Manchester United winger made no mistake with a fine finish.
The lead was doubled when Jones powered home Richardson's corner, before El-Hadji Diouf reduced the deficit with a free-kick.
Diouf fired wide after Nicolas Anelka's flick in the second-half, before Sunderland sealed victory when substitute Daryl Murphy slotted home in the 90th minute.
Wanderers had plenty of possession, but struggled to create many chances and will hope to bounce back to form when Derby visit the Reebok on Wednesday.
For a full match report, and all the reaction see Monday's The Bolton News
Your Say YourThe Bolton News
JB, Across the pond says...
11:27pm Sat 29 Dec 07
Say it as it is, Bolton says...
2:31am Sun 30 Dec 07
a) If Andy O'Brien isn't good enough for Portsmouth is he good enough for Bolton(apparently our star defender?)
b) Is Abdoulaye Meite the worst centre half the premiership has ever seen?
bill, Thailand says...
6:15am Sun 30 Dec 07
If we'd had a recognised right back playing in the right back position, Sunderland would not have scored their first goal and it would have been a different game from then on.
What possessed GM to play Samuel at right back when Joey O'Brien was available?
Bill, Qatar says...
8:42am Sun 30 Dec 07
bill wrote:Not to mention the lack of an out and out stiker,again, among the substitutes.
This game was lost when the team sheet was issued! If we'd had a recognised right back playing in the right back position, Sunderland would not have scored their first goal and it would have been a different game from then on. What possessed GM to play Samuel at right back when Joey O'Brien was available?
Furthermore, shouldn't Guthrie and Campo been on from the start? Not exactly one for examining every contingency our Mr Megson is he? Still when the transfer window opens we can expect Anelka to go for some ridiculous knock-down fee and an influx of sub-standard Championship players. Watch us storm up the table then!!
As regards Megson's "honeymoon period being over", wouldn't a divorce be better for all concerned?
Andy, Staffordshire says...
9:30am Sun 30 Dec 07
owdleverender, bolton says...
9:33am Sun 30 Dec 07
owdleverender, bolton says...
9:48am Sun 30 Dec 07
Jacko wrote:Speaking of gartslime has anyone seen him lately?his blood would do for starters,wouldnt you just love to be in a locked room with him for 5 minutes think you are right with the turnout it wont be good
After this joke you will be lucky if theres 15k on against Derby,live on sky & most people are back to work!!.Gartside the fans want your blood you skinflint!!!.
cadders1, bolton says...
10:11am Sun 30 Dec 07
1. Jussi - should he stay or should he go, well I have been one of his biggest fans but after Everton (First Goal) and yesterday (2nd Goal) I am begining to think - go
2.Meite - Rubbish - Don't forget FSA chased him for 2 seasons - for what. I say sell him to Newcastle
3.Play people in their positions ie right footed players in right sided roles. Or am I being a FICKLE FAN again?
4. Lets get people in who want to play for Bolton and have the passion and most of all HUNGER. The current crop have had it too good for the last couple of seasons, now they need to fight they can't.
5. If Anelka goes then play Davo at centre forward with someone playing off him either Diouf, Stelios, better still get someone in who is quick. The lad from Forest (Tyson) may just be a good bet as he is supposed to be very quick.
Problem for Megson is (and he knew this when taking the job) that there is a lot of well paid DEAD WOOD at bolton which needs clearing out (this is also why FSA left)and he only has 31 days to do it whilst bringing in potential world beaters at bolton prices.
Megson knows he is now under pressure so we need to give him (NOT PG) our support.
If we don't turn up at matches then we play straight into PGs hands as he will say he has to sell because the gate revenue is down. This is not strictly true as season ticket holders have already paid their money but he will spin the story to suit.
Also more importantly what message are we the fans giving Anelka & Diouf etc......
davie, leigh says...
10:30am Sun 30 Dec 07
Not forgetting the fans.
Who the Hell wants to go to a Football match on a Wednesday night after the Festivities are well and truly over,and we are all back in Work.
We will be lucky to see 15,000 as someone as already pointed out.
I wil be there ,but its a nonsense.
I HATE SKY SPORTS!
bolton78, bolton says...
10:36am Sun 30 Dec 07
l at rightback? hes an awful lefback nevermind at rightback.
no guthrie
no campo
square pegs and round holes,came back to hauntyou yesterday mr megson
Andy L, Rugby says...
10:41am Sun 30 Dec 07
All I would add is that I'd like to see some intelligible strategy for this season and next. I argued last week after the Birmingham win that we ought to go with a hungry UEFA team at Everton and back the Birmingham team at Sunderland. Instead we exhaust Guthrie, stick with Jaaskalainen beyond what was reasonable with Al Habsi in form and leave others looking lacklustre.JJ errors: OK there was a good save but do my eyes deceive me or did he not go under both the first two goals.They weren't his fault exactly but I've seen those types of shots saved. Standing tall for both was surely the better option.
Re new players, we'll be lucky indeed if we can recruit anyone capable of making an immediate impact. I think we must get more out of those we have got, who are currently missing, and especially Al Habsi, Stelios, Andranik, Djemali, Vaz Te, Braaten, Alonso, Sinclair. Also recalling Fojut might not be the worst idea!
Maybe Savilola will be best fit a) as a striker and b) to help us locate ' The Missing'.'!
*hitonutd, MANCHESTER says...
10:56am Sun 30 Dec 07
davie wrote:The people at Sky, the bbc and those who draw up the fixture lists are so anti-Bolton.Why?
What the hell is sky sports doing to the Prem .
Not forgetting the fans.
Who the Hell wants to go to a Football match on a Wednesday night after the Festivities are well and truly over,and we are all back in Work.
We will be lucky to see 15,000 as someone as already pointed out.
I wil be there ,but its a nonsense.
I HATE SKY SPORTS!
Doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out!
We've upset their party for the last five years and whilst I didn't like the way BSA left us, I think he was strong enough to stand up and speak his mind.But Mr Gartside didn't back him up and never will as long as he sits on the FA Premier board.Where it seems he has done nothing to stop the gulf between the top four and the rest.Or am I just getting Paranoid?
Must go and have a drink to clear my mind....
wander why, spain says...
10:57am Sun 30 Dec 07
Trotter, Bolton says...
11:06am Sun 30 Dec 07
Keep the faith
heyesy19, bolton says...
11:13am Sun 30 Dec 07
Andy L wrote:you really think we will pay for saviola or saviola will come to bolton, the best we can hope for is zoltan gera, old boys act and one of meggers old bum lickers, we are going down , fact
Good post, Cadders. I agree with you without qualification. All I would add is that I'd like to see some intelligible strategy for this season and next. I argued last week after the Birmingham win that we ought to go with a hungry UEFA team at Everton and back the Birmingham team at Sunderland. Instead we exhaust Guthrie, stick with Jaaskalainen beyond what was reasonable with Al Habsi in form and leave others looking lacklustre.JJ errors: OK there was a good save but do my eyes deceive me or did he not go under both the first two goals.They weren't his fault exactly but I've seen those types of shots saved. Standing tall for both was surely the better option. Re new players, we'll be lucky indeed if we can recruit anyone capable of making an immediate impact. I think we must get more out of those we have got, who are currently missing, and especially Al Habsi, Stelios, Andranik, Djemali, Vaz Te, Braaten, Alonso, Sinclair. Also recalling Fojut might not be the worst idea! Maybe Savilola will be best fit a) as a striker and b) to help us locate ' The Missing'.'!
svengoli, says...
11:20am Sun 30 Dec 07
he quickly saw what was largely our best eleven and dropped most of those that Lee had tried to introduce and reinstated others;
he reverted to a style of play that suits the players at his disposal (although often too negative);
he is good with the press.
Weaknesses:-he needs to have a more positive approach, especially against weaker opposition (our strength is surely in the front three, so attack!);
he has yet to appreciate how inadequate Samuel, McCann and Michalik are, especially if played out of position as Samuel was yesterday (ridiculous!);
he needs to include attacking options on the bench;
he must add energy and pace in the form of Andranik and Wilhelmsson(?);
he needed to rest our best eleven for Sunderland and Derby by playing our reserves at Everton, (who may just have replicated their efforts at Bayern and Belgrade!).
Now he must buy wisely to add to the quality, not simply add to the numbers as Lee did.
We northern folk love to moan, but we all know we will be lifelong Wanderers fans, no matter what.
Several posts recently have hinted at the negative features of living in Bolton and yet the extraordinary number of contributors from miles and miles away suggests that there is something that ties us to the town proudly long after we have left.
Being an underdog capable of rubbing the noses of big-city folk in the dirt has something to do with it, but I wonder if it is also because of being proud of the high-profile celebrities that come from these parts, too numerous to mention again here.
In case you haven't seen the New Years honours list, I've included below details from the BBC website of a most extraordinary honour granted to a Bolton citizen:
Sir Ian McKellen joins the exclusive Order of the Companion of Honour, which is restricted to 65 members, including the Queen.
Happy new year to all fans, whether still local or now scattered across the globe.
JT, England says...
11:23am Sun 30 Dec 07
Habsi has shown great potential and I think we need to blood him against Derby in a six pointer at home.
We need to buy two solid no nonsence defenders now!!
We should be replacing Speed with Giles Barnes.
Should replace Stelios with Haynes from Crystal Palace.
Why are we not putting Zoltan Harsanyi on the bench. He did really well in pre-season??
Get the purse out Gartslime and I hope you enjoyed your time in Barbados while we were struggling to get results in cold and wet conditions.
Trotter, Bolton says...
11:35am Sun 30 Dec 07
Gartside was perhaps glued to the bbc radio network (not) while we were frowning, moaning and kicking the radio/computers around the room while our lads let in another 3 goals.
Whinge over - roll on Derby County
Keep the faith
JT, England says...
11:39am Sun 30 Dec 07
HNY to you all!
Trotter, Bolton says...
11:43am Sun 30 Dec 07
HAPPY NEW YEAR
JT, England says...
12:00pm Sun 30 Dec 07
The 30-year-old was Sheffield United's captain last season and achieved notoriety for receiving a three-match ban for punching Arsenal's Robin van Persie in an off-the-ball incident.
Megson wants to toughen up Bolton's defence after shipping four goals at Liverpool and Manchester City.
Why dont we sign Amir KHAN and Ricky Hatton then???????????
Julie Moores, Bolton says...
12:09pm Sun 30 Dec 07
W- 0
L-4
F- 3
A- 13
This was achieved with virtually same 16 players. Am I missing something?
1. Our strengths at mo are attackers. Why do we set out from kick off to play defence?
2. Asking forwards to play defence results in more goals conceded, and less scored
3. Has been said already- we pack our bench with full backs/defensive midfielders. Options when we go behind?
The old faces are stale and battle weary. We need a new captain ( Davies ) a totally different strategy away from home, and lets look at Andranik, Stelios, Hrsanyi, Wilhelm, maybe Braaten again. Jussi has now lost confidence in the defence and needs a rest. Why do the so called reserves, and I forgot Sinclair, play so well in Europe away, then are never seen again.
I think Megson sucks up too much to some favourites and eventually, will be his downfall. For those who say I am always negative,I have been to 4 away matches this season, majority of home cup matches and am taking 2 friends to Sheff U match. I also took 2 extra friends to a tedious UEFA tie, so do feel I have as much right as anyone to be critical/upset when we are struggling, largely self- inflicted.
Someone on the Board at start of the season should have asked LSL- why all these midfielders/wingers we keep shelling out for. What about the defence? That is when it started to go wrong.
JT, England says...
12:19pm Sun 30 Dec 07
The 30-year-old was Sheffield United's captain last season and achieved notoriety for receiving a three-match ban for punching Arsenal's Robin van Persie in an off-the-ball incident.
Megson wants to toughen up Bolton's defence after shipping four goals at Liverpool and Manchester City.
Why dont we sign Amir KHAN and Ricky Hatton then???????????
Pedro, Bolton says...
12:24pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Good post Julie, lots of common sense which we would expect the professionals to also see but they are blind, dumb or both. Very depressing and difficult to "Keep the faith"
Jack wilson weymouth, Weymouth says...
12:26pm Sun 30 Dec 07
In the spring, we will give them a tidy up a good mucking out and we can look forward to a wonderfull garden in the summer. Jack
Julie Moores, Bolton says...
12:48pm Sun 30 Dec 07
derby0543, bury says...
1:28pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Do we still have that young chinese lad about 6Ft 9in because the way they played yesterday he would be more benificial than Anelka who seems pretty hopeless to me to the long high ball out of defence, he is more of a footballer (will never fit in at Bolton then).
I am sure the players must have been hurting on the long drive back from Sunderland in their LUXURY coach with all mod cons, as I was on the drive back stuck in interminable traffic.
As for Nugent I'm sorry I dont rate him, Fergie dont let the ones with promise go as a rule.
King Eric, . says...
1:41pm Sun 30 Dec 07
bolton78, bolton says...
1:43pm Sun 30 Dec 07
hope ive done my maths right,if not blame it on me being hungover due to me having far to many on the way home on train yesterday,this is the results in ALL comps under 3 managers
P48 W12 D15 L18 F56 A69 PTS 40 out of a poss 135
notlob, says...
1:44pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Julie Moores, Bolton says...
1:54pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Zimmy, United Road says...
2:15pm Sun 30 Dec 07
bwfc_1210, egerton says...
2:15pm Sun 30 Dec 07
The home form has been good since Megson took over and Derbys away form isnt the best.
Lets give Megson a chance and see who he signs in January before we make any judgements about him. He needs to bring in some quality in defence and a striker too, or a goalscoring midfielder.
Against Derby the team I would play is:
Jaaskelainen
Gardner
J O'Brien
A O'Brien
Meite
McCann
Nolan
Guthrie
Diouf
Davies
Anelka
Subs
Al Habsi
Michalik
Campo
Andranik
Harsanyi
bolton78, bolton says...
2:42pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Zimmy wrote:shut up you ****.do you know the lowest attendance in the prem?
I predict it will be the most embarrassing attendance in PL history.
derby0543, bury says...
2:44pm Sun 30 Dec 07
King Eric wrote:I dont think so Eric I'm a dyed in the wool Boltonian but I dont wear a blindfold, watching Derby now whats happened to Jones.
You confusing him with Healey ?
bolton78, bolton says...
2:48pm Sun 30 Dec 07
King Eric, . says...
3:54pm Sun 30 Dec 07
armchair fan ?, how many games you attend in 2007 ? Mine is over 50
Paul1970, Fleetwood says...
4:16pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Boltons Gary Megson is keen to cash in on Nic Anelka, and is awaiting a formal Chelsea offer, but Megson wont be bringing in another striker; hes after Sheffield Uniteds defender Chris Morgan and Dundees keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski. (Daily Mail)
Nico forever
stuart, says...
4:26pm Sun 30 Dec 07
The team needs a big lift and that means opening the purse big time this will be a race for survival to the finsh and even new players need time to settle in.
Come on you whites get it together
bwfc_1210, egerton says...
4:33pm Sun 30 Dec 07
JB, Across the pond says...
4:45pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Julie Moores wrote:Going back to your earlier comments on trying not to be negative??????......
So hope I'm wrong, but my tea leaves predict a grim 1-1 draw against Derby, where we equalize late on.
......... It's simple really if we lose against Derby (no disrespect) but we don't deserve to be in the Premiership!!! All the player's regardless of attendance on Wednesday need to give us (fans)something to cheer about and going off our recent away form should give this home match a thrilling 2-0 whitewash!!!!! Keeping the faith. By the way Juilen good earlier post which made a lot of sense till you fell back into your old habit's (see above). Happy New Year fellow Trotter fans!!! All the best looking forward to posting some Positve post's here in 2008!!!!!
bolton78, bolton says...
4:48pm Sun 30 Dec 07
King Eric wrote:ive missed 2 bolton games in 2007
you mentioned Nugent thought he was a Liverpool youth player not United. armchair fan ?, how many games you attend in 2007 ? Mine is over 50
Trotter, Bolton says...
4:49pm Sun 30 Dec 07
stuart, says...
4:59pm today Sun 30 Dec 07
Last 32 of the uafa cup and a survival fight aswell I predict the reebock will be overflowing people standing on the roof to get a sight of the mighty Bolton.
I read it in my nail clippings
come on You super whites Man united 0 Bolton 1
derby 0 Bolton 11 with three goals each for all stikers
the jury, bolton says...
5:01pm Sun 30 Dec 07
This job must be one of the few where if you fail you leave with millions,
Look at Sam talks of him getting the bullet is he worried i think not,
A cool £7 million pay off, jolly good if you can get it,
I thought chairmen where clever pepole seems not,
King Eric, ......... says...
5:14pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Chelsea may now move for Berbatov, at a cool £25M.
cadders1, bolton says...
6:16pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Who spent wisely it was said by many
He took us to Europe, a first for us whites
We even went to old Trafford and beat those red sh*tes
He went to the board, more money, he said!
We can't they replied we're still in the red
So I am off the big man replied,
And with that our teams fortunes died
Along came little sammy,
Who looked more like an overweight hammy
I know he said, lets change to 4 4 2
Before we knew it, we were in the dogs doo
Along came our shining ginger knight
Who gave us all one hell of a fright!
We went to Bayern and red star belgrade
We all thought we had got it made
Alas the story doesn't end there
We need more from the man with ginger hair
A win away is what we all had planned
Not a defeat to cra""y Sunderland
The big bad chairman had nothing to lose
So lets sell Nico to the cockney blues
We need the money he said and he said
Because those lazy fickle fans are staying in bed
We as fans know what its really about
Thats why we all need to get up and shout
Its all about passion not fashion and bright lights
So lets all go to the Reebok and support the SUPER WHITES
nazT, zarg says...
6:18pm Sun 30 Dec 07
EXCLUSIVE ****
garside & allerdyce seen at morrisons cafe in bolton discussing a possible return and to save us from the drop,, after shearer takes over next week. other topics discussed was spend £5 at middlebrook retail park and get 3 free tickets for the derby game..
Carlsberg dont do newspapers but if they did......
Pedro, Bolton says...
6:35pm Sun 30 Dec 07
King Eric wrote:A twist in the Berbatov story. PG and BSA also overheard discussing their audacious bid for the aforementioned striker!!
A twist in the Anelka story.
Chelsea may now move for Berbatov, at a cool £25M.
HarryB, Bolton says...
6:39pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Zimmy, United Road says...
6:41pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Posted by: cadders1, bolton on 6:16pm today
We once had a manager called big sam
Who spent wisely it was said by many
He took us to Europe, a first for us whites
We even went to old Trafford and beat those red sh*tes
Wow a poem that doesnt rhyme, scan or make sense.
Get Mummy to help you next time.
Zimmy, United Road says...
6:44pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Brownie, Bolton says...
6:46pm Sun 30 Dec 07
However, in a more positive vein, early Reebok days saw us in this position before a couple of times and survive- once on the last day- I still remember BSA's and Jay- Jay's dance of triumph- so here's to the Great Escape of 2008.
Happy New Year Everybody!
Paul1970, Fleetwood says...
7:18pm Sun 30 Dec 07
King Eric wrote:If he is worth that then Anelka is double. He isn't fit to lace Nicos boots.
A twist in the Anelka story. Chelsea may now move for Berbatov, at a cool £25M.
but still good news if Chelski go for him. That will mean Spurs bidding 10mill for Nico and pocketing a cool 15mill. Thats how you run a club.
boltonexile, bolton says...
7:20pm Sun 30 Dec 07
I read with interest your official BWFC website article in which you assert some of our decision making was poor and we started off ok.
Are you admitting to your team selection being a huge and unfathomable mistake? It was; the largest poor decision being taken before kick off i.e. handing in that team sheet.; do you pick positions by taking names out of a hat?
Regarding starting off ok, were you at the Stadium of Light or elsewhere, whats ok about being 2-0 down after 32 minutes, or were you just relieved not to be more behind?
The Sunderland wins in the premiership vs matches played ratio is similar to your own as a manager i.e. appalling; all the more reason to get stuck in and make the most of our attacking talent (Anelka and Diouff) whilst we still have them (both gone in January, albeit one coming back temporarily at least), yet you chose the opposite path, very reticent, playing to our weakness of defending.
The Bolton Evening News may be spinning a line about fans being won over by you, but I for one will not sway from my original view, you are simply not up to the job. However why should you worry, when you get sacked you'll get another huge payout and simply stay at home for a few months counting your cash. I however will be at home feeling sick and frustrated; but then thats the difference between a transient employee and a fan.
Copy of an e-mail sent to the club, any reply will be posted to this site; but dont hold your breath as no replies have been received to date to numerous others, all of which include address and telephone number.
bwfc_1210, egerton says...
7:33pm Sun 30 Dec 07
bwfc_1210, egerton says...
7:39pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Zimmy, United Road says...
8:01pm Sun 30 Dec 07
YouriLeGod, Bolton says...
8:02pm Sun 30 Dec 07
The thing that worries me is that I really can't see us beating Derby on Wednesday in front of a half empty Reebok. I think we might get a point but will struggle.
I hope to see numerous signings in the next week or so and would hope that the team would also change.
I have had concerns about Jussi for a couple of seasons, he always seems to go down on his knees too soon. Look at the number of goals that go over him. A case in point was the Hamann goal against Citeh. Had he stood up he would have caught it. Don't get me wrong he has been a great servant for us but I feel Al Habsi should now be given his chance.
We also need a couple of leaders at the back, but where we get them from I don't know. Meite is simply not good enough. He dived in again yesterday and it led to a goal.
Andy O'Brien is a good solid pro, who could play with a commanding centre half but not with Meite.
Nicky Hunt has done well this season and he should stay in the side. We also need a good left back.
I think there will be a big turnover in midfield. Guthrie has to stay. Nolan will also stay but as for the other two places why not try Wilhelmsson or Braaten in one position.
As for up front, most of us assume Nico will be off, so we need someone to play off Davo.
Other than that in my opinion we will be fine.
Not looking forward to Wednesday night though. I will be there as always but you just know its going to be cold all night and will rain about 5 minutes from the end.
Hapy New Year to all who write on here and lets hope its better than 2007 football wise.
Forza Whites
Graeme Souness, Unemployed says...
8:11pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Whether Ginga is the man to lift the Whites up the prem next year is quite another matter.
Say it as it is, Bolton says...
8:30pm Sun 30 Dec 07
The Horwich Observer, Horwich says...
8:30pm Sun 30 Dec 07
GOING DOWN
GOING DOWN
:)
radcliffe white, radcliffe says...
9:01pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Andy L, Rugby says...
9:06pm Sun 30 Dec 07
I suspect we'll go into the game with a team not far from bwfc_1210's above, perhaps with Hunt, if fit, in for O'Brien. I suspect the bench won't be that ambitious, however.
Hopefully we'll win, but even if not January remains in our favour. I hope we use January to plan ahead and settle our strategy for the away games Feb onwards. It's these which will save or condemn us! That planning, for me,implies some careful readjustment and, as I said above, using our existing assets as the means of getting to 17th or further.
Managerial decisions are ever baffling and we aren't of course seeing daily training or for the most part studying stats and videos.It's nevertheless interesting that most of us are urging action on similar lines: I'd like to see:
1. Al Habsi given a run, even if he makes an error or two when selected
2. Davies centrally upfront with fellow striker or midfielder/flankplay
er running beyond him as as a possible strategy in all games- but not always to start or finish games.
3 Stelios from time to time as the onrunning, attacking player. He takes a goal well.Let's involve him properly.
4.If Davies not available then Helgusson, best header and forward worker of all, to stand in if ever fit. Managerial willingness to go with strategy to support Davies and not compromise it to fit in both EHD and Anelka always and invariably. Away from home all three are often a luxury.
3. Ricky Gardner at left back, playing well and encouraged to overlap with cover.. or, if out of form, on the bench but never selected in midfield ( can't pass, can't keep balance- makes even more costly errors for defence than at leftback)
4. Fojut recalled and picked ( cornerstone for administration-press
ed Luton at the moment- even scoring in last game. MoM at walsall last year for me)
5 Vaz Te back in the frame and on the bench for most games.I agree that he's not been consistent enough but he is very good aerially and has speed and unpredictability
6 Willingness to put Sinclair in if Hunt/O'Brien not at right back
7. Andranik back and playing as he did last year- for me he lifted every game and looked like scoring regularly( a much better option than Wilhelmsson from what I've so far seen)
8 . Tactics to support Anelka when/if he plays- and not long punts
9. Guthrie celebrated as the playmaker in midfield.Djemali to compete and make himself known
10. At least one of Cid, Braaten, Wilhelmsson or Alonso to succeed and make us eat our words on here.Not confident about this but who knows. Cid may be the best hope but I'm not holding my breath on this one.
Paul, Deane says...
9:06pm Sun 30 Dec 07
IF they make the huge mistake of selling Anelka then market values must be applied. Anelka has just signed a 4 year contract, there are no "clauses" allowing him to leave, according to Alan Duckworth, so as a selling club we must be in the driving seat.
Darren Bent cost £17m, a player with no premier league pedigree, not an international regular and who has scored 2 goals this season.
If Anelka is sold for one penny less than Bent then it shows the financial ineptitude of the people running our club and the contempt in which they hold the supporters.
Last year they allowed our best defender for years, worth at least £8m to walk away for nothing,sold another international class defender for a paltry £2m and now they appear to be doing the same with a top 3 premier goalkeeper. If Craig Gordon is worth £9m what is Jussi worth, yet we apparently will not pay him what he is asking for or will allow him to leave for nothing in the summer.
The next step from Gartside will be to plead poverty and blame the fans for low attendances.
Hopefully this is overly pessimistic and we CAN keep Anelka and invest in the team, but do you really think so based on past performance?
bwfc_1210, egerton says...
9:07pm Sun 30 Dec 07
cadders1, bolton says...
9:36pm Sun 30 Dec 07
How ironic that you support utd......
newshound, bolton says...
10:09pm Sun 30 Dec 07
The Horwich Observer wrote:Who t...f....are you??????????????
GOING DOWN GOING DOWN GOING DOWN :)
newshound, bolton says...
10:14pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Zimmy wrote:What?? Worse than 4834 for Wimbledon v Coventry in the mid nighties....?????
I predict it will be the most embarrassing attendance in PL history.
You knob-head......say off OUR forum!!!!!!
Den, Leigh says...
12:19am Mon 31 Dec 07
Julie Moores wrote:Agree
Last 4 away matches:- W- 0 L-4 F- 3 A- 13 This was achieved with virtually same 16 players. Am I missing something? 1. Our strengths at mo are attackers. Why do we set out from kick off to play defence? 2. Asking forwards to play defence results in more goals conceded, and less scored 3. Has been said already- we pack our bench with full backs/defensive midfielders. Options when we go behind? The old faces are stale and battle weary. We need a new captain ( Davies ) a totally different strategy away from home, and lets look at Andranik, Stelios, Hrsanyi, Wilhelm, maybe Braaten again. Jussi has now lost confidence in the defence and needs a rest. Why do the so called reserves, and I forgot Sinclair, play so well in Europe away, then are never seen again. I think Megson sucks up too much to some favourites and eventually, will be his downfall. For those who say I am always negative,I have been to 4 away matches this season, majority of home cup matches and am taking 2 friends to Sheff U match. I also took 2 extra friends to a tedious UEFA tie, so do feel I have as much right as anyone to be critical/upset when we are struggling, largely self- inflicted. Someone on the Board at start of the season should have asked LSL- why all these midfielders/wingers we keep shelling out for. What about the defence? That is when it started to go wrong.
its our defence! have spoken about meite a few times.....my conclusion now he should be replaced....
Am fairly happy with what Megson has done (bear in mind the Gartside factor).....
Lets hope we do derby
Happy new year (hopefully)
Zimmy, United Road says...
7:41am Mon 31 Dec 07
What?? Worse than 4834 for Wimbledon v Coventry in the mid nighties....?????
You knob-head......say off OUR forum!!!!!!
They got lower than that
Didnt know you were comparing yourself to the Dons.
I meant last few years.
newshound, bolton says...
1:14pm Mon 31 Dec 07
Zimmy wrote:Then why didn`t you SAY last few years????
What?? Worse than 4834 for Wimbledon v Coventry in the mid nighties....????? You knob-head......say off OUR forum!!!!!!They got lower than that Didnt know you were comparing yourself to the Dons. I meant last few years.
The premiership has been going for 15 years now
King Eric, **** says...
1:19pm Mon 31 Dec 07
(You will stay up...just. Then Megson will be paid off (as said to me by a Bolton staffer)
I'm out on the lash in a while......so Happy New Year to all my readers
;-))
and remember kids...it's only a bloody game
Brownie, Bolton says...
2:09pm Mon 31 Dec 07
trottersforever, bolton says...
2:59pm Mon 31 Dec 07
As for Sky moving our match to the 2nd when everyone else is playing on New years day is all part of the conspiracy to ignore Bolton Wanderers.
On Sky's Boxing Day coverage, they were just about to discuss our match when the early kick offs started taking to the pitch and as the pundits were watching/commenting on those games no preamble for our game :((
This weekend Sky's Gillette Soccer Saturday, spent about 10 mins taking about Sunderland and apart from a passing remark by Alan mcAnally that we had had a bit of a resurgence under Megson, nothing else was said, I was in such shock I can't remember what the pundits predictions for the match were.
We all know what MOTD is like when it comes to Bolton and once again Boxing Day no comments and the Sunderland match no comment, and yet matches that were screened after us managed to have enough time alloted to show shots of the managers, shots of the crowd etc etc.
I know some of the big names in the Premiership want it reducing to 18 teams, the way Bolton are treated by the media in general and the TV in particular its as if its already been reduced to 19.
Its an absolute disgrace.
Brownie, Bolton says...
5:09pm Mon 31 Dec 07
could it be that by continually televising our home games Sky hope to kill our attendances and support so that in the long term they do indeed get rid of one Prem team and are one nearer the 18 some big wigs want? You would think Gartside would try to discourage Sky from visiting the Reebok, but TV coverage means money I suppose.So he can't turn it down despite the poor attendances that result.
trottersforever, bolton says...
8:20pm Mon 31 Dec 07
Nothing about SKY, the BBC, all the southern based national newspapers and the big I ams of the PL/FA would surprise me any more. Even my B/f, who is a Man Utd supporter has commented on the negative bias that seems to be aimed in Bolton's direction.
Only Alan hansen on MOTD used to say nice things about us, but he doesn't seem to be on as often these days and as we never get any punditry, even if he was on, he probably wouldn't be allowed to say anything.
I don't know what it is that we have done to deserve such treatment. Apart from beating Man Utd in the 1958 FA Cup final!!
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Jacko, Little Lever says...
10:30pm Sat 29 Dec 07