Keep Calm and Carry On – Bolton Wanderers v Middlesbrough Match Report

Article by Alan Houghton

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Another bad result, we’re letting in more than two goals a match, the midfield lack craft, cohesion and fluidity and there’s more chance of me scoring than our forwards. What’s the advice; keep calm and carry on!

Where do we start with last night’s offerings? Middlesbrough are a decent side who can pass the ball, well coached by Aitor Karanka. We’re a team of individuals who are putting a lot of effort in, running round like headless chickens. In the pre-season friendlies, we seemed to try to play possession football. In the four competitive matches so far, the possession statistics have been horrendous; 40:60 on a good day.

We’ve resorted to the long punt up field and hope Craig Davies gets his head on it. In fairness, he’s getting better at it each game but where is the build up through midfield? We badly need someone with a bit of craft in midfield, a playmaker. We do well to get hold of the ball and then struggle to find something to do with it.

Most of the free kicks we have are now wasted by a short ball to someone who gets caught in possession. We must be the worst team in the league when taking throw-ins or defending throw-ins. The defence is playing like they are strangers.

Middlesbrough started the game well and things looked ominous as they created and missed a couple of early chances. We fought our way back into the match with Trotter having a great game breaking up Middlesbrough’s move and laying the ball off to the nearest player. Craig Davies earned the penalty when he was clearly brought down by Seb Hines, who mysteriously was left on the pitch, despite being the last defender. We were on top at that stage but then just before half time, David Wheater handled in the area and Grant Leadbitter equalised. I got a good view of it from the North Stand and it was a penalty in my opinion. The linesman gave it as the referee was unsighted.

In the second half, we were on top without creating much but then Middlesbrough started to create chances after the 70 minute mark and Bogdan had to make a couple of good saves before finally Kike slipped one past him for the winner. Jermaine Beckford and Neil Danns came on for the knackered Craig Davies and Liam Trotter and Jermaine Beckford went close with one effort and then late on had one disallowed, presumably for a foul by David Wheater. Overall Middlesbrough looked the better team and deserved their win.

It’s not gelling for the Wanderers at the moment. Too many players have not hit form, despite the pre-seasons preparations and the high number of friendlies played. With three away matches and the internationals break before we face Sheffield Wednesday next at the Macron, I’m not looking forward to any quick change of fortunes. Feelings are running high amongst supporters because they care about our football team. At times it’s not pleasant sat in amongst a bickering crowd. Even I am beginning to question whether Dougie Freedman is the man to take us forward. We cannot afford another bad start but we seem to be having one. Most of the squad now are Dougie Freedman’s signings. The next five matches are Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United away, followed by Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United at home and then Wolverhampton Wanderers away. If we don’t see a distinct improvement in those matches, then I think it will be time for Dougie Freedman to go, because he will certainly have lost the rest of the crowd by then and probably the dressing room as well.

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