Well I don't think I could have been proved much wronger could I?
For those of you that didn't read my last article, it was one conveying my dismay as to why Sordell and Afobe aren't allowed to start together because Davies is a shoo-in (thanks to the Forest fan that taught me how to spell that).
Well tonight Davies was outstanding whilst Sordell and, to a lesser extent, Afobe failed to impress. I think as well, had he not been booked by the evening's pantomime villain in the first minute for what was an incredible tackle, he would have played even better. And isn't it lovely to once again see opposition fans fuming about him calling him a filthy cheat? Welcome back Mr. Davies.
Eagles must also be mentioned as he had a fantastic game tonight. For me, thought he was wrongly praised for his performance against Derby, but tonight I thought he caused their defence endless problems, cutting in from the wing with ease through gaps I never thought he could. It was good to see Ricketts linking up nicely with him at times as well, who seemed to getting a little closer to the player who turned around our season last term.
A Bolton article wouldn't be complete without a few negatives though, most of which have already been covered.
It's no secret that the defence was awful. When the game is a little stagnant they can stand up for themselves well and look solid, but once the opposition run at them with pace, the shape disappears, they lose their heads, and gift easy goals (yes, Reid's finish was top class but it didn't need to be). Is a defensive coach the answer? Don't think any of us are in any sort of position to be able to answer that question, but a change in personnel in the defence is definitely needed.
The CMs again were very iffy. There were a lot of times when they were playing within 5 yards of each other and there is no doubt that they were to blame for the endless counter attacks we seemed to come up against in the second half. A third CM would solve this problem I think.
And the last negative for me is how awful Lee has been in the last 2 games. Looks absolutely terrified, won't run with the ball, won't take anyone on, and with only the useless Mears out there to help him, it is just a horror show on our right side. Perhaps the fact that he broke his leg is playing in his mind, I don't know, but one thing's for sure, he either needs to man up to this physical league or we should cash in on him. Mears out, Riley in, see if that helps.
On the whole though, I don't think we are too far away from being a formidable force in this league. There was a 10/15 minute period after our second goal where we absolutely destroyed what is one of the strongest teams we will come up against this season. Had Sordell scored instead of blazing over after beautiful build up play from SKD and Andrews to make it 3-1 we would have run away with it IMO. Coyle's interview is encouraging that he is getting P'd off with our defensive lapses and if he can sort it out then I believe we've got a lot to be positive about, COYWM.
Yes, yes, yes!
posted on 25/8/12
I thought your problem was the midfield not tracking runners rather than the centre halves. Knight and Mills are of a certain type but did okay, Knight in particular. Reid wasn't tracked when he scored and had a chance before when nobody followed him and he barely missed a low cross in.
Credit to you for coming back into the game but it'd have been tough for us to play like that the whole game. Eagles played well and I like Lee although he was quiet. Davies had a great game, he is still a dirty bogger though!
Ref was dreadful, not one sided, he was equally bad for both of us!
posted on 25/8/12
I think you're being way too harsh on Chungy. He's going to take time to get back to how he was but there were times last night when he was our only willing runner, when either chasing the ball down and pressing players or trying to run into space. His radar for crosses and through balls is re-calibrating but he'll get there. I reckon another 5 games and he'll be a regular MOTM.
posted on 25/8/12
Was at the game and I have to say Eagles and to a lesser extent Chungy had good games. The biggest dissapointment was without doubt Mavies who had an absolute stinker! Re the SKD question...I too think OC is blinkered when it comes to Kev. He is not the player he was and for me is a liability as he gives far to many free kicks away(I know the first minute booking was a joke) We cannot go on humping it forward for him to contest. We looked so better when we kept it on the deck. All in all a much better performance than against Derby though.
posted on 25/8/12
The centre of the park is where games are won and lost. our two are simply not good enough. both Forest goals came because we didnt track or close down the runner from midfield. Viva Stu Holden, he is the most complete midfielder we've had since McAteer, the proverbial box-to-box good engine, etc. hurry back Stu!
posted on 25/8/12
I think your being harsh on SKD. It is not up to him or coyle really to not play him. It's up to sordell and afobe to force him out. Neither esp sordell have done anything to merit staring over him. He played a part in both goals last night. Created and scored the other against Derby. Yes sordell bagged but did nothing else and he should have gone off instead of SKD
posted on 25/8/12
Thought Chungy showed in spells that he's beginning to come back to some sort of form - though that said I thought he should've been replaced with about 10 to go for Wylde or Petrov to give the forest full back something to think about.
We're making chances we've just got to start taking more of them.
The return of Holden can't come soon enough though. His tackling (most in the premiership the last season he played), passing and overall play is infectious and will boost us again.
For the Forest 2nd it was painfully obvious that Matt Mills is not a commanding centre back.
posted on 25/8/12
I think one or two people are being a little harsh on Andrews. I thought he had a solid game. He didn't do anything too magical, but neither did he do anything particularly wrong. He should have tracked back more to help out the defence but other than that his passing was accurate, positional work was good (other than the goals) and he was dropping back to collect the ball from defence regularly to give them an option other than hoofing it.
I think a midfield 3 of him, Mavies and a defensive mid would be very formidable in this league.
posted on 26/8/12
Our centre midfield has constantly been over-ran for the best part of two seasons now, it always feels like they're on the wrong side of the ball
I think we as fans are being a bit blinkered re: Davies, he has been excellent the last two games, but that tackle in the first minute against forest was definitely a foul and definitely a booking
posted on 26/8/12
Normally, a ref doesn't book a player for his first foul unless it's a particularly bad one. In that instant, the ref was poor as he was with other decisions.
He tried to stamp his authority on the game and then failed to give a second yellow to a Forest player who should have been sent packing.
posted on 26/8/12
I think we as fans are being a bit blinkered re: Davies, he has been excellent the last two games, but that tackle in the first minute against forest was definitely a foul and definitely a booking
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My opinion is it definitely wasn't a foul or a booking. Does this make me blinkered?