A Bumpy Ride for the Wanderers

Article by Alan Houghton

Follow e-Bolton on Twitter

Neil Lennon promised us some bumps along the way and we got one at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield. The day started well with an easy journey on the M62 over the snow topped Pennines and we arrived in plenty of time to enjoy a superb lunch at the Yorkshire Rose. All meals were two for one, including a fantastic range of pizzas and there was a good selection of real ales to wash them down with.

Huddersfield Town’s match programme is a newspaper these days with the unusual title ‘Give Us An H’. To save even more money it was a joint issue for the Bolton match with the forthcoming FA Cup match against Reading. I remember a few of the Midlands teams experimented with newspaper type programmes in the recession hit days of the 1970s. Or maybe it’s a move towards Europe where the clubs produce a monthly magazine instead of a match programme.

It was just like the good old days at the ground with queues to get in the away end. Nearly 4,000 Bolton fans had braved the freezing temperatures to support the Wanderers. The pitch had been cleared of a little bit of snow but there looked to be icy patches scattered around the pitch.

The match got off to a sensational start with Darren Pratley first winning a free kick and then blasting the opening goal within the first minute. With the crowd singing ‘Darren Pratley, he scores when he wants’ to celebrate his third goal in three matches, what could go wrong. Well, fair play to Huddersfield Town they fought back and in an even first half, they created more chances with Andy Lonergan having to make saves from James Vaughan, Sean Scannell, Harry Bunn and Jason Butterfield. Eidur Gudjohnsen had a decent chance for us which Alex Smithies saved well with one hand. All was well until just before half-time when Jason Butterfield volleyed a great goal, giving Andy Lonergan no chance. He looks a good player at Huddersfield Town, having a real presence in midfield, unlike his disappointing spell at Bolton on loan a few years ago.

It was a similar story in the second half with possession about equal with but Huddersfield Town creating more chances. We brought the big man, Emile Heskey on mid way through the second half for Darren Pratley and within minutes he had the ball in the Huddersfield Town net but it was debatably ruled out for offside. It was difficult to tell as we were at the far end of the ground. Both teams faded in the second half and just at it was looking like being a hard earned draw, Liam Trotter fired a pass straight at Jason Butterfield. It appeared to hit his knee but it looked like he controlled it with his left hand as it dropped right at his feet and from there he put an inch perfect pass through to Nakhi Wells for him to slide it past Andy Lonergan for the winner.

Despite the controversy, Huddersfield Town deserved to win. They were that bit more positive and decisive. We seemed that one degree below par. The defence looked a little hesitant at times as if they were untrusting of the pitch. We kept possession well at times but were a bit careless at other times, maybe due to Huddersfield Town’s pressing. Our midfield was second best. When we did get the ball, we didn’t do a lot with it. If the decisions had gone our way, then maybe we would have got something but I think this would have glossed over what was a tired performance from us.

After an eight match unbeaten run, it was a timely reality check that there is no instant cure and a lot of hard work lies ahead. Chung-Yong Lee has already gone for the Asia Cup and good luck to him. The January transfer window opens on Thursday and with it, the threats of players leaving and the opportunity for Neil Lennon to bring in the players he wants. It’s going to be an interesting new year at the Macron.

© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football