Bolton Wanderers fan column: Barnsley and women's football

‘You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find, you get what you need’.

You might be thinking ‘what do The Rolling Stones have to do with Bolton Wanderers?’ Well, to be honest... not a lot. I just thought of those lyrics and thought it was applicable to Tuesday’s late draw at Barnsley. How clever of me, I know.

The fact is however, Wanderers deserved more than a draw, not so much based off the first 50 minutes after going 2-0 down. It was not a great start and the hole that Ian Evatt’s men continue to dig themselves into courtesy of some questionable defending does not help ease matters.

I think at that point a lot of fans expected the worst. I know that I had a mini tantrum again - ‘we are playoffs at best, automatics are gone’ - but it was some second half performance to flip the game on its head.

It truly felt like a win at full time and even with taking the rose tinted glasses off, Wanderers were desperately unlucky not to come away with two penalties outside of the late spot kick. Aaron Collins was through on goal before a slight touch to pull his arm back seemed to throw him off balance. There was also a shout of handball near the end following a goalmouth scramble.

Evatt spoke about how tough the last week has been following the Wigan and Blackpool defeats and he even mentioned evaluating his own position come the end of the season. This situation right now is high pressure and I do feel for Evatt in terms of what is lying on his shoulders, but that comeback against Barnsley may just be the tonic needed to get everyone ramped up again.

We saw the celebrations at Oakwell as everyone made their way to the away end. “Come on! Come on!” Evatt shouted to the fans, with a look of what seemed to be relief on his face. There is no telling what that type of comeback can do for a team’s morale.

It is tough to be harsh because whilst there are obviously things Wanderers can do better, if they attack teams like they did Barnsley once they went behind 2-0, they will give themselves a great chance of sealing automatics. That desire and spirit to get back into the game should now be the standard for the rest of the season.

There are arguments that Wanderers can be too passive or they slow down the tempo with the ball. I am not arguing the playing style at all, it works when it works and it has got us to where we are. But if there are moments like Tuesday in which they are more direct and play a faster game, there is a fine balance to be had in my opinion.

But all of that aside, there are 10 huge games to go. The games in hand have now gone and it is not in our own hands. But you know what? I feel a lot more confident and relaxed than before those games had been played.

The psychological nature of winning those games to make up lost ground is a heavy burden. Teams around the top six still have to play each other, so there will be more twists and turns yet.

You never know, we might just get what we need.

Well done Wanderers

by Tony Thompson

Josh Sheehan sports a Her Game Too shirt (Image: Camerasport)

As the old expression goes, you can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

I have previously voiced my disappointment in this column that my club, which has worked tirelessly to change its face after the despicable actions of previous ownership, had not yet addressed a vital part of the footballing landscape.

Women’s football is a thriving business and getting bigger. It is amazing to think that the problems I had getting a team for my own daughter to play when she was younger are no longer experienced as frequently by parents these days.

But the game has also moved on apace at the top level and that has not gone unnoticed by the biggest clubs in the land, who have all made sure their women’s teams and academies are keeping up with the pace of progress.

At Bolton, I fully understand that there were a LOT of issues to fix when the owners took over. And there are leaks in the East Stand roof that suggest there is still some work to be done, wink, wink.

To not have a women’s team playing for the club seemed a wasted opportunity. The work done by the Community Trust (Bolton Wanderers in the Community) is wonderful and I know many parents who have praised the coaching their sons and daughters get on a regular basis.

It was mostly aimed at younger players though and that meant the chances of improving the team overall, helping it climb the pyramid, were slim. They play at a very modest standard and have only been loosely associated with BWFC in the past few years.

When I was informed that this was going to change I threw my original column in the bin. It was going to be on George Thomason by the way, and had some side-splitting jokes about him having more cards than Clintons. A real loss to the literary world, even if I do say so myself.

I wanted to say well done to the club on behalf of every mum and dad who have taken their daughter (or son) out to training wearing a Bolton Wanderers shirt, knowing that they were never going to get the chance to represent their team for real. Now that chance exists and it is so important, it really is.

I hope now that we can see that side of the club prosper, make us proud, and reach a level of football where it can become sustainable or even profitable, because make no mistake, it is the direction the sport is heading.