MATCHWATCH : Bolton Wanderers (a)

[Hound]

MOM is looking poor because he’s getting sod all help. He is NOT a Forster type who can lead the line and create chances on his own, he looks like someone who needs someone to play off.

I don't think it's just that.

He looks utterly lost. He clearly doesn't know what he's supposed to be doing. He doesn’t press hard. Savage, Kyerewaa and Doyle to a lesser extent were flying round the pitch into closing down, he had nowhere near their energy at any point. To the point other people come and pressed his man for him.

He drops back into midfield. His challenges for balls up to him are lacklustre and half hearted. When he does win a header he's trying to flick it on to no one. When we do clear the ball, usually to fairly typical areas, he's never near.

We put crosses in, and he's never making the right run and its often not fully commited.

He got the ball down facing goal once that I could see in the game in a potentially promising moment... what did he do? Blasted a shot from 25 yards directly into the defender 3 yards in front of him. Moronic.

Don’t agree with the first paragraph. He pressed all game, and also came back to support the midfield and defence throughout. He was doing way too much. He pressed far more than the other forwards. Savage and Fraser also similarly ran round like headless chickens and also had v poor games

I agree though that he looks utterly lost. Constantly in the wrong place and god knows why but he seems to have a deeper starting point than the wingers. He doesn’t look like scoring at all and is losing all the long balls up

He needs help here. No idea what he’s being asked to do but whatever it is it certainly isn’t working. For me he should be on the shoulder of the last man, not charging round all over the place and therefore forever in the wrong position

He’s trying to fill in all the gaps left by our ridiculously exposed press and lack of compactness

An experienced striker like Smith would just refuse or have the football intelligence not to do it

I commented on Saturday that Kelv was extremely frustrated and kept going over to the bench. My guess is likewise he’s being expected to do far too much

Also noted Kelv has a muscle strain after that game

[Sutekh]

MOM is looking poor because he’s getting sod all help. He is NOT a Forster type who can lead the line and create chances on his own, he looks like someone who needs someone to play off.

I don't think it's just that.

He looks utterly lost. He clearly doesn't know what he's supposed to be doing. He doesn’t press hard. Savage, Kyerewaa and Doyle to a lesser extent were flying round the pitch into closing down, he had nowhere near their energy at any point. To the point other people come and pressed his man for him.

He drops back into midfield. His challenges for balls up to him are lacklustre and half hearted. When he does win a header he's trying to flick it on to no one. When we do clear the ball, usually to fairly typical areas, he's never near.

We put crosses in, and he's never making the right run and its often not fully commited.

He got the ball down facing goal once that I could see in the game in a potentially promising moment... what did he do? Blasted a shot from 25 yards directly into the defender 3 yards in front of him. Moronic.

Don’t agree with the first paragraph. He pressed all game, and also came back to support the midfield and defence throughout. He was doing way too much. He pressed far more than the other forwards. Savage and Fraser also similarly ran round like headless chickens and also had v poor games

I agree though that he looks utterly lost. Constantly in the wrong place and god knows why but he seems to have a deeper starting point than the wingers. He doesn’t look like scoring at all and is losing all the long balls up

He needs help here. No idea what he’s being asked to do but whatever it is it certainly isn’t working. For me he should be on the shoulder of the last man, not charging round all over the place and therefore forever in the wrong position

He’s trying to fill in all the gaps left by our ridiculously exposed press and lack of compactness

An experienced striker like Smith would just refuse or have the football intelligence not to do it

I commented on Saturday that Kelv was extremely frustrated and kept going over to the bench. My guess is likewise he’s being expected to do far too much

Also noted Kelv has a muscle strain after that game

Sounds then that the issue is the management.

[hughsies no.1]

In summary - A team very low on confidence goes away from home and nabs a point in a game they deserved to get nothing from.

What this means going forward -
- it could be a turning point
- it fundamentally has to mean that Ben Elliott is the first name on the team sheet every week as it will genuinely be Hunt's downfall if he doesn't start him every week. He is the only midfielder that wants to pick the ball up facing his own goal, turn and drive forward to break the lines. He changed the game last night. I find it inexcusable that he has not been starting for us.
- Our press is a disgrace, I have never seen a team played through so easily than us and it has happened twice this season - Huddersfield and now Bolton. If we can't do it - we may as well not bother. Also highlights what a miss Knibbs is, not for his goals/ assists - BUT for his turnovers and winning the ball in opposition half. That was invaluable.
- A lot of pressure on the returning Paudie & Lane
- A striker... for me, the only reason no money has not been spent on a striker from the Knibbs money is the owners are deciding whether they keep Hunt or not - and they would rather get their own man in and let him spend the money on a striker.

We go again Saturday...

[RoyalBlue]

I don`t give a flying one how bad a player is, the pelters a certain player is getting on X and here now is absolutely appalling, I thought some of the posters on here were above that.
He`s young, and he very probably reads it, that`ll do his confidence a world of good won`t it?

Agreed.

And if pelters are to be dished out, it should be to the owners, recruitment team, manager and coaches who have left him expected him to single-handedly to carry the team in terms of potential goal threat.

Given how the team as a whole are currently 'performing', we just need to sign a proven goalscorer who can create all of the goal chances for himself!

[Hound]

I’ve actually been persuaded by our last two games that we absolutely do need an experienced striker in. I’m not expecting it to be anyone particularly good but someone who knows how to play whatever roles this system is asking of them. Someone like Aneke or Cole will have a better understanding of where they should be on the pitch

Doesn’t even need to be a great goalscorer

[Extended-Phenotype]

Hmm. Not sure what to make of it all really. Still feel that Hunt is within a grace window what with having to start essentially from scratch this season with a new roster of players, and want to afford the same grace to those players too - it’s rare to hit the ground running, and they will of course need time; this isn’t really something to blame Hunt for.

At the same time, Hunt does seem to be repeating a few questionable decisions that isn’t doing him any favours in terms of fan patience. While he is of course stuck with the players he has, and the time it takes for them to settle, he doesn’t always seem to play the right ones, or put them in the right positions.

I was saying to the missus last night though; if it’s obvious to us as armchair shitmunchers to start so-and-so, or play thingo wherever, it will be obvious to Hunt, so if he’s NOT doing that he is probably privy to more information we are not.

I really do think a decent striker will turn things around. Sometimes it just takes one little thing to fix a broken engine. The worry is whether we will indeed sign such a player! If we don’t, we could be in trouble.

[stealthpapes]

I didn't think we were that bad first half, other than the last ten to fifteen when we absolutely could not clear our lines. Second half was much better and we got, I think, a deserved point.

The substitutions made a big difference, a bit more composure in the wide forwards, a more assured touch in the centre. There was one bit late on and you could see the shape of the side: 4-5-1 on defence, wide players breaking. Oh, and Derrick Williams is a solid player. You could see him coordinating and organising. Dorsett and Abrefa are reliable, not sure I've got a handle on the other centre backs just yet.

So, midfield isn't quite right, and I think Wing being too far back is part of that puzzle (see Brogue's post). Plus we're not pressing effectively - that will take some time to coordinate but I believe will come. Why does Savage look less effective? Because he's pressing alone and he's inherently quite high energy. It means he's often dragged out of position. Better teamwork and he'll be much more effective. I think the balance will come here and then the performances.

However.

O'Mahony is an obvious target for criticism. Just not on the same wavelength, not entirely sure what he gives to the side. It's not even like he could be a goal poacher type player as he's rarely in a position to feed off mistakes etc in the penalty area. I am less certain he will come good.

[yuomi]

O'Mahony is an obvious target for criticism. Just not on the same wavelength, not entirely sure what he gives to the side. It's not even like he could be a goal poacher type player as he's rarely in a position to feed off mistakes etc in the penalty area. I am less certain he will come good.

MOM just feels like the latest striker who knows the role they're supposed to play, and actually does it quite well, it's just not a role that fits the system Hunt is playing. No doubt elsewhere in this division, with proper service, he'd be a 15+ goal a seasons striker. Hell, up front for Bolton last night he might have got a hattrick with the chances they could have laid on for him.

[traff]

O'Mahony is an obvious target for criticism. Just not on the same wavelength, not entirely sure what he gives to the side. It's not even like he could be a goal poacher type player as he's rarely in a position to feed off mistakes etc in the penalty area. I am less certain he will come good.

MOM just feels like the latest striker who knows the role they're supposed to play, and actually does it quite well, it's just not the role that fits what(ever) the system is our manager is doing. No doubt elsewhere in this division, with proper service, he'd be a 15+ goal a seasons striker. Hell, up front for Bolton last night he might have got a hattrick with the chances they could have laid on for him.

Not sure about that. IIRC Doyle put an absolute peach of a ball into their box from the left and MoM was nowhere to be seen. Would have thought it was a perfect ball for a natural striker to expect and be on the end of. I may have, on the other hand, had one too many by this point.

[Royal Rother]

I didn't think we were that bad first half....

O'Mahony... No doubt elsewhere in this division, with proper service, he'd be a 15+ goal a seasons striker. Hell, up front for Bolton last night he might have got a hattrick with the chances they could have laid on for him.

[72 bus]

O'Mahony is an obvious target for criticism. Just not on the same wavelength, not entirely sure what he gives to the side. It's not even like he could be a goal poacher type player as he's rarely in a position to feed off mistakes etc in the penalty area. I am less certain he will come good.

MOM just feels like the latest striker who knows the role they're supposed to play, and actually does it quite well, it's just not a role that fits the system Hunt is playing. No doubt elsewhere in this division, with proper service, he'd be a 15+ goal a seasons striker. Hell, up front for Bolton last night he might have got a hattrick with the chances they could have laid on for him.

MOM would not be a 15+ goal striker in the National league.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Hmm. Not sure what to make of it all really. Still feel that Hunt is within a grace window what with having to start essentially from scratch this season with a new roster of players, and want to afford the same grace to those players too - it’s rare to hit the ground running, and they will of course need time; this isn’t really something to blame Hunt for.

At the same time, Hunt does seem to be repeating a few questionable decisions that isn’t doing him any favours in terms of fan patience. While he is of course stuck with the players he has, and the time it takes for them to settle, he doesn’t always seem to play the right ones, or put them in the right positions.

I was saying to the missus last night though; if it’s obvious to us as armchair shitmunchers to start so-and-so, or play thingo wherever, it will be obvious to Hunt, so if he’s NOT doing that he is probably privy to more information we are not.

I really do think a decent striker will turn things around. Sometimes it just takes one little thing to fix a broken engine. The worry is whether we will indeed sign such a player! If we don’t, we could be in trouble.

The thing is though Bolton have had a bigger turnover of players than us in the summer and play as a completely coherent unit. This shambles is on the manager and coaches. When Pereira went down "injured" to buy a tactical break in the first half Wing clearly looked confused. I think Brogue is right.....I'm not convinced even at this early stage the players are buying in to this.

[Hound]

Bolton had 2 players who started last night that started the last game of 24/25. Which coincidentally was the same as us (Wing, Savage)

[Hound]

O'Mahony is an obvious target for criticism. Just not on the same wavelength, not entirely sure what he gives to the side. It's not even like he could be a goal poacher type player as he's rarely in a position to feed off mistakes etc in the penalty area. I am less certain he will come good.

MOM just feels like the latest striker who knows the role they're supposed to play, and actually does it quite well, it's just not a role that fits the system Hunt is playing. No doubt elsewhere in this division, with proper service, he'd be a 15+ goal a seasons striker. Hell, up front for Bolton last night he might have got a hattrick with the chances they could have laid on for him.

I’m reserving judgement on him until he’s not part of a system that is trying to defend the entire pitch at any one point in time

Admittedly he’s not exactly impressed so far mind you

[Sutekh]

Hmm. Not sure what to make of it all really. Still feel that Hunt is within a grace window what with having to start essentially from scratch this season with a new roster of players, and want to afford the same grace to those players too - it’s rare to hit the ground running, and they will of course need time; this isn’t really something to blame Hunt for.

At the same time, Hunt does seem to be repeating a few questionable decisions that isn’t doing him any favours in terms of fan patience. While he is of course stuck with the players he has, and the time it takes for them to settle, he doesn’t always seem to play the right ones, or put them in the right positions.

I was saying to the missus last night though; if it’s obvious to us as armchair shitmunchers to start so-and-so, or play thingo wherever, it will be obvious to Hunt, so if he’s NOT doing that he is probably privy to more information we are not.

I really do think a decent striker will turn things around. Sometimes it just takes one little thing to fix a broken engine. The worry is whether we will indeed sign such a player! If we don’t, we could be in trouble.

The thing is though Bolton have had a bigger turnover of players than us in the summer and play as a completely coherent unit. This shambles is on the manager and coaches. When Pereira went down "injured" to buy a tactical break in the first half Wing clearly looked confused. I think Brogue is right.....I'm not convinced even at this early stage the players are buying in to this.

Bolton have a vastly more experienced manager and can spend money on more experienced players so you'd expect them to be be more cohesive than a bunch of what is largely youngsters under a very raw manager. However Schumacher still has problems to sort up there so he's not exactly streets ahead - just isn't stuck in a cul-de-sac.

[Extended-Phenotype]

The thing is though Bolton have had a bigger turnover of players than us in the summer and play as a completely coherent unit. This shambles is on the manager and coaches. When Pereira went down "injured" to buy a tactical break in the first half Wing clearly looked confused. I think Brogue is right.....I'm not convinced even at this early stage the players are buying in to this.

Aye, but it appears Bolton are operating on a different budget to us. I’m not sure how much there really is to glean from a brief glimpse of a facial expression, either – it’s certainly creative to pimp Wing frowning momentarily into “Hunt has lost the dressing room”.

[Snowflake Royal]

I’ve actually been persuaded by our last two games that we absolutely do need an experienced striker in. I’m not expecting it to be anyone particularly good but someone who knows how to play whatever roles this system is asking of them. Someone like Aneke or Cole will have a better understanding of where they should be on the pitch

Doesn’t even need to be a great goalscorer

Agreed.

[traff]

"We found rhythm, belief, and got our reward" | Noel on Hard-Fought Point at Bolton

Just had a newsletter from the club with this header.

If Noel thinks that we have rhythm I really don't want to listen to his playlists.

[RoyalBlue]

"We found rhythm, belief, and got our reward" | Noel on Hard-Fought Point at Bolton

Just had a newsletter from the club with this header.

If Noel thinks that we have rhythm I really don't want to listen to his playlists.

And we probably need a pacemaker fitted too!

[Snowflake Royal]

Hmm. Not sure what to make of it all really. Still feel that Hunt is within a grace window what with having to start essentially from scratch this season with a new roster of players, and want to afford the same grace to those players too - it’s rare to hit the ground running, and they will of course need time; this isn’t really something to blame Hunt for.

At the same time, Hunt does seem to be repeating a few questionable decisions that isn’t doing him any favours in terms of fan patience. While he is of course stuck with the players he has, and the time it takes for them to settle, he doesn’t always seem to play the right ones, or put them in the right positions.

I was saying to the missus last night though; if it’s obvious to us as armchair shitmunchers to start so-and-so, or play thingo wherever, it will be obvious to Hunt, so if he’s NOT doing that he is probably privy to more information we are not.

I really do think a decent striker will turn things around. Sometimes it just takes one little thing to fix a broken engine. The worry is whether we will indeed sign such a player! If we don’t, we could be in trouble.

In the midfield issue, there are basically two complaints and issues the fans consider obvious errors.

1) Wing playing as the quarterback rather than further forward.
2) Fraser playing in Knibb's position rather than Elliott/Doyle.

I try to put myself in the manager's place and ask myself why he's doing what so many people think is wrong. Whether I agree or not.

I think 1 should be pretty obvious. It's where Wing played successfully last season under both Selles and Hunt. It plays to many of Wing's strengths, he has [usually] great distribution, both long and short. He can retain possession, deal with a high press, slide tight balls forward into midfield and the wings, and play Hollywood 60 yards, usually with great accuracy turning defence into attack and getting us in behind. And he can ghost into space outside the box for those netbusters. Space he's less likely to get playing further forward in congestion. This one, I tend to agree is pretty valid.

2 is the real headscratcher. It's a departure from last season. It doesn’t seem to fit the system, or the players. My gut feeling is that because we've started badly, Hunt thinks we need to be conservative and play a more defensive game, because our midfield is being played through and overrun. So Elliott/Doyle will be too lightweight and make that worse.

I have some sympathy for that view, especially away and against the better teams. But if that’s Hunt's reasoning, I think he’s got it very wrong. Because it does far more damage to our ability to keep the ball, string passes together and create chances than it helps keep us solid. If you don’t carry a threat and the ability to retain the ball, the opposition has to put very little effort and focus into defending and can just dedicate themselves to attack.

It's this one that has to change for me, and Elliott (or Doyle) has to start in the midfield three. If he makes the change, we'll see if we're right and Hunt was wrong, or if Hunt saw something in training to show him it won’t work or they're not up to it, and we were wrong.