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Post by oufcyellows on Mar 22, 2017 0:16:40 GMT
Thought we were robbed tonight. No luck at all. Some terribly slow reactions at the back mullered us. Bolton looked petrified when we took the handbrake off. Rate Wheater though. And Madine. Johnson should have played on flank all evening. The ref was totally abysmal. Was he bunged a brown envelope? If he was , he would probably be unsure if he should open it or post it
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Post by tonto on Mar 22, 2017 1:12:53 GMT
Bit harsh on Dunks apart from the og I thought he was excellent
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Post by horseman on Mar 22, 2017 7:38:31 GMT
Same game but many different views.i thought Bolton were a decent side who managed the game very well, mention of them being shi*e in this thread is ridiculous.i thought it was a case of them moving up a gear when they needed to and let's not forget they had 3-4 very good chances in the 2nd half.
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Post by derek on Mar 22, 2017 7:43:40 GMT
I'm not getting the anti-Dunks sentiment either. Yes, he made mistakes but remember last season? A complete liability every time he came on until towards the end of the season. And as others have pointed out, a significant number of MoM performances this season. He's improving all the time.
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Post by The Fence End on Mar 22, 2017 7:53:30 GMT
Great game for the neutral! Thought we were unlucky with Johnson's shot hitting the bar and being denied the penalty.
I think the last few games have highlighted that we need to invest in the defence in the summer.
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Post by ontheup01 on Mar 22, 2017 8:43:52 GMT
Lets try and be realistic, we are not ready to challenge the bigger and better teams. That is not a criticism, we have had a good season and next season is when we can really judge things. This league does show that the stronger more organised sides will prosper and we are just not strong enough! Tend to agree. We lack too much at this moment. The lads have done well but come unstuck against clever, physically strong or pacey teams. i'm sure MAPP sees the problems clearly. Resolving it is more difficult Both fullbacks are steady, but lack pace and get done when playing against players who take them on. How many times did our keeper have to make great saves after they ran around the FB and straight onto goal. I like Dunk's battling spirit, but his lack of footballing nous & quality on the ball were clear to all last night. Midfield needs options for that strong tackling player. Up front we really lack presence. A big difficult to play against front man is a must. When we address these issues we'll be a match for anyone at this level and simply blow away the 6/7 teams that rely on simple direct football.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Mar 22, 2017 8:51:51 GMT
It's fair to say when we play lower sides, Dunks look more comfortable. Against better sides he looks more limited and unsure. It could be a mental barrier where he simply panics because he thinks he has less time and in reality needs to believe he is worthy. Perhaps trying Raglan with Nelson may work, but I think the back 4 needs a change or two in it. Dunkley had an ok game tonight. Skarz did not. Skarz hasn't been right since Macclesfield, but got forward at least. I do wonder if the CB partnership was more balanced, whether the fullbacks would look more comfortable. Or maybe it's irrelevant. I suspect Dunkley's career will always be a slight tease, but I hope he can push on again. I don't wish him ill, but I wonder if ultimately we'll go another way because Nelson is just a better player and right sided.
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Post by East Challow Yellow on Mar 22, 2017 8:59:17 GMT
It's not often you walk away from a 4-2 home defeat having enjoyed the game, but i can say i did last night.
I thought Bolton looked very efficient. They have good players in key areas of the pitch - Wheater & Beevers at centre half, Morais an excellent outlet out wide, Pratley in midfield and Madine up front who acts as a good focal point.
When we had a go at them second half, moved the ball quicker and looked to play in wide areas we gave them problems. Marv was excellent and a constant menace and Lunny runs the game for us and never seems to hide.
I've loved Joe Skarz since he has been with us. However, i think this close season could be time for a new left back to be sought. He looks average to me when playing against anyone quick or with a trick.
Also, last night it was very apparent Dunkley's lack of ability on the ball. He looks rushed at times, when his centre half partner Nelson seems to be unflappable. A serious challenger to Dunks is required in the summer.
Had someone offered me a top 10 finish and Wembley final in our first season back i league 1 i would have been delighted with that. Fingers crossed money is made available for MAPP to make the few additions to this squad of talented players, that are required should we have designs on the top 2 next year.
Onwards and upwards!
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Post by botox on Mar 22, 2017 9:00:32 GMT
I'm not going to get on dunks back. But From what I could see was, yes he out jumps the opposition 99% of the time and gets his head to the ball, but he just heads it with no direction, which mainly resulted in it going straight back to the opposition, or he banana headed it out of play.
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Post by holdsteady on Mar 22, 2017 9:01:42 GMT
Bolton are a big (not seen a side that big for years), physical, organised, experienced side who play to their strengths, it might not be pretty but it's effective that's why they are second.
Not the side you want our customary slow start against then, and not the side you want your defence to ball watch against, that's what cost us the first 3 goals, with the second being the best/worst example of that, Nelson to be fair to him beat 3 of our players nearer to the ball to attempt to close down their goalscorer, not certain what those 3 were doing.
After the first half hour we were the better side and the game could of swung our way, they are not the quickest side and we took advantage of that, played some good football.
But you can't concede 4 at home and not see that their are problems, we start slow, fall asleep at the back and don't manage the game as well as the Boltons of this division.
We won't make the play offs, not because the fans don't believe or some ridiculous nonsense like that, but because we are not good enough, their is more to football than being a good footballing side, especially as you go up the league's.
This is still a good season for us, its been a learning season as well though, and their are plenty of lessons to be taken from it, this isn't the fourth division and if you want to go up from it you have to smarter all round.
Was an entertaining game though, value for money.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Mar 22, 2017 9:03:25 GMT
Some thoughts from last night.
A Dunkley/Skarz combination on the left just doesn't work. If Nelson can't or won't play on the left then we need to address that next season. I'd suggest a proper left sided wing back, and we really need a left sided full back to either challenge Dunkley for his place or to replace him if he can't kick on again and improve (I think he probably can, given his progress so far).
Putting Johnson down the middle is just odd. If we are playing Hemmings, then the absolute necessity is to play two speedy wingers who can cross the ball for him. Given that Hall and Johnson were on the pitch, then put them wide.
Maguire isn't as good as he thinks he is. An absolutely stunning free kick, but my God he was selfish last night - and even worse, his one-eyedness didn't produce much! He had many opportunities to play the ball in to teammates in better positions but much of the time he didn't.
We are a bit slow, all over the pitch. Defenders are slow to react (their first two goals), midfield are a bit slow to challenge much of the time and the attack just need to move the ball quicker. We spent so much time moving the ball side to side slowly at periods last night.
The ref. Well I guess enough has been said about him, but the penalty was as blatant as I have seen for a while. In fact Hemmings was fouled before and didn't go down, then McAleny was clipped and tried to keep going. He didn't give fouls that were obvious from fifty yards away, but blew every time the Bolton players went down. Disgraceful performance.
Their third goal was the most brain dead piece of play I have seen for a while. Quite a long while. To have the ball in the opponents half, somehow concede a corner without them touching it and then to score the goal ourselves really takes some doing.
Bolton were nowhere near as good as Sheffield United.
I think our player retention/acquisition in the summer is going to be very interesting indeed.
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Post by lambchop on Mar 22, 2017 9:15:54 GMT
My views on the game - We had a great 2nd half Ref was rubbish Bolton were a slightly above average side A draw would have been a fare result A win was a posibility The loss was disappointing My son enjoyed the game He went straight o sleep when we got home
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Post by shosho on Mar 22, 2017 9:29:40 GMT
Some thoughts from last night. A Dunkley/Skarz combination on the left just doesn't work. If Nelson can't or won't play on the left then we need to address that next season. I'd suggest a proper left sided wing back, and we really need a left sided full back to either challenge Dunkley for his place or to replace him if he can't kick on again and improve (I think he probably can, given his progress so far). Putting Johnson down the middle is just odd. If we are playing Hemmings, then the absolute necessity is to play two speedy wingers who can cross the ball for him. Given that Hall and Johnson were on the pitch, then put them wide. Maguire isn't as good as he thinks he is. An absolutely stunning free kick, but my God he was selfish last night - and even worse, his one-eyedness didn't produce much! He had many opportunities to play the ball in to teammates in better positions but much of the time he didn't. We are a bit slow, all over the pitch. Defenders are slow to react (their first two goals), midfield are a bit slow to challenge much of the time and the attack just need to move the ball quicker. We spent so much time moving the ball side to side slowly at periods last night. The ref. Well I guess enough has been said about him, but the penalty was as blatant as I have seen for a while. In fact Hemmings was fouled before and didn't go down, then McAleny was clipped and tried to keep going. He didn't give fouls that were obvious from fifty yards away, but blew every time the Bolton players went down. Disgraceful performance. Their third goal was the most brain dead piece of play I have seen for a while. Quite a long while. To have the ball in the opponents half, somehow concede a corner without them touching it and then to score the goal ourselves really takes some doing. Bolton were nowhere near as good as Sheffield United. I think our player retention/acquisition in the summer is going to be very interesting indeed. All good points. Its clear our LB/RB positions needs strengthening. Both solid enough defenders, but with the ball both are poor. If I played Oxford I would sit and let Skarz and Edwards have all the space they wanted, knowing they wouldn't pick a pass and eventually would go the the CBs for them to lump up top. Not a dig at Edwards and Skarz, just feel against the stronger teams we have been lacking. On the flip side, Nelson is very classy on the ball. Dunkley - I rate him but does have an error in him. Maguire - aside from the freekick was ineffectual, along with Hall. Maguire enjoys taking 5 or 6 touches when he could take 1 or 2 and seems to slow up play. However, I think this was the argument when he first came to the club. Didnt the third goal come from both of the above? Maguire lost the ball in the box, Skarz sent a horror ball back to Dunkley who did the same to eastwood. We went from an attacking position to conceding a corner without Bolton touching the ball. The most frustrating part of last night was that MApp prior to the game stated 'we don't want to give away goals. If teams beat us they have to play well, score worldy goals or the ref has a nightmare'...last night didn't do much to correct that! Anyway, I think we are getting an idea of the players which are strong enough for a promotion push next season playing these stronger teams.
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Post by Junior on Mar 22, 2017 9:30:55 GMT
Hemmings is getting so my stick from people it's unbelievable. He needs a partner or at least a player just behind who'll support him. He's not a target man, his game is not about holding the ball up or winning the flick on. Look at last night, playing against Giants and amongst the best in the league.
Id like to see him up front with someone like Toney fro. Scunthorpe. Someone he can feed off. Someone bring up his goals from last season. I bet a load are from balls in the box or from where he's been slipped in by a creative pass when he's been on the shoulder of the CB.
Wouldn't be surprised to see 3 new defenders in the starting 11 next season with only Nelson remaining.
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Post by charliesghost on Mar 22, 2017 9:43:27 GMT
Some thoughts from last night. A Dunkley/Skarz combination on the left just doesn't work. If Nelson can't or won't play on the left then we need to address that next season. I'd suggest a proper left sided wing back, and we really need a left sided full back to either challenge Dunkley for his place or to replace him if he can't kick on again and improve (I think he probably can, given his progress so far). Putting Johnson down the middle is just odd. If we are playing Hemmings, then the absolute necessity is to play two speedy wingers who can cross the ball for him. Given that Hall and Johnson were on the pitch, then put them wide. Maguire isn't as good as he thinks he is. An absolutely stunning free kick, but my God he was selfish last night - and even worse, his one-eyedness didn't produce much! He had many opportunities to play the ball in to teammates in better positions but much of the time he didn't. We are a bit slow, all over the pitch. Defenders are slow to react (their first two goals), midfield are a bit slow to challenge much of the time and the attack just need to move the ball quicker. We spent so much time moving the ball side to side slowly at periods last night. The ref. Well I guess enough has been said about him, but the penalty was as blatant as I have seen for a while. In fact Hemmings was fouled before and didn't go down, then McAleny was clipped and tried to keep going. He didn't give fouls that were obvious from fifty yards away, but blew every time the Bolton players went down. Disgraceful performance. Their third goal was the most brain dead piece of play I have seen for a while. Quite a long while. To have the ball in the opponents half, somehow concede a corner without them touching it and then to score the goal ourselves really takes some doing. Bolton were nowhere near as good as Sheffield United. I think our player retention/acquisition in the summer is going to be very interesting indeed. All good points. Its clear our LB/RB positions needs strengthening. Both solid enough defenders, but with the ball both are poor. If I played Oxford I would sit and let Skarz and Edwards have all the space they wanted, knowing they wouldn't pick a pass and eventually would go the the CBs for them to lump up top. Not a dig at Edwards and Skarz, just feel against the stronger teams we have been lacking. On the flip side, Nelson is very classy on the ball. Dunkley - I rate him but does have an error in him. Maguire - aside from the freekick was ineffectual, along with Hall. Maguire enjoys taking 5 or 6 touches when he could take 1 or 2 and seems to slow up play. However, I think this was the argument when he first came to the club. Didnt the third goal come from both of the above? Maguire lost the ball in the box, Skarz sent a horror ball back to Dunkley who did the same to eastwood. We went from an attacking position to conceding a corner without Bolton touching the ball. The most frustrating part of last night was that MApp prior to the game stated 'we don't want to give away goals. If teams beat us they have to play well, score worldy goals or the ref has a nightmare'...last night didn't do much to correct that! Anyway, I think we are getting an idea of the players which are strong enough for a promotion push next season playing these stronger teams. Yup - Eastwood, Nelson, Lundstram, Ledson, Ruffels, McAleny, Johnson, Hall (on a better night). Maguire and Dunkley have their weak points and weren't good last night, but have enough good games as well. Hemmings is, I think, useful to have around the place as a goalscorer. Likewise Sercs (but he has to be played in his proper position) Rothwell we all suspect could be good enough. So eight plus five are good enough to be in a League 1 automatic promotion push. This, I guess, is why MAPP says we need 3 or 4 more first pick players. A centre back, two full-backs, a proper target man. That would then give us 11 or 12 nailed-on quality players, plus another five who have their moments and give you options either off the bench or if someone is injured/ out of form.
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Post by Young Money on Mar 22, 2017 9:46:44 GMT
It really is a game of opinions, there seems to be some exact opposite ones on here!
- Dunkley is an absolute liability, get rid / He's been very good for most of of the season
- Hemmings is a waste of space / He's scored 15 goals in a team which doesn't play to his strengths
Bolton were a great, strong team / they were a boring bunch of giants and we dominated them for most of the game
For what it's worth, I'm very much in the second category for all of those...
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Post by charliesghost on Mar 22, 2017 9:49:51 GMT
Incidentally, was very impressed by Lundstram last night. I think he showed that he has developed as a player and as a leader. At times he was running that game, and looking very threatening in tight forward areas (he used to play too deep to affect games much). He's getting bounced off the ball less, and asserting himself more. Bolton played three in the central midfield area, so he and Josh were out-numbered at times, but they both put in very good shifts and we held our own overall, which is a tribute to them both. Unfortunately, Maguire and Hall were passengers for much of the night, and playing Marvin centrally was a gamble that did not come off.
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Post by charliesghost on Mar 22, 2017 9:52:55 GMT
It really is a game of opinions, there seems to be some exact opposite ones on here! - Dunkley is an absolute liability, get rid / He's been very good for most of of the season - Hemmings is a waste of space / He's scored 15 goals in a team which doesn't play to his strengths Bolton were a great, strong team / they were a boring bunch of giants and we dominated them for most of the game For what it's worth, I'm very much in the second category for all of those... I suspect that if we scored 4 goals away from home we would have a chuckle at home fans saying afterwards that they had dominated the game! What a lot of nonsense. Easty had to make at least three great saves on top of the goals we let in!
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Post by shosho on Mar 22, 2017 9:53:56 GMT
All good points. Its clear our LB/RB positions needs strengthening. Both solid enough defenders, but with the ball both are poor. If I played Oxford I would sit and let Skarz and Edwards have all the space they wanted, knowing they wouldn't pick a pass and eventually would go the the CBs for them to lump up top. Not a dig at Edwards and Skarz, just feel against the stronger teams we have been lacking. On the flip side, Nelson is very classy on the ball. Dunkley - I rate him but does have an error in him. Maguire - aside from the freekick was ineffectual, along with Hall. Maguire enjoys taking 5 or 6 touches when he could take 1 or 2 and seems to slow up play. However, I think this was the argument when he first came to the club. Didnt the third goal come from both of the above? Maguire lost the ball in the box, Skarz sent a horror ball back to Dunkley who did the same to eastwood. We went from an attacking position to conceding a corner without Bolton touching the ball. The most frustrating part of last night was that MApp prior to the game stated 'we don't want to give away goals. If teams beat us they have to play well, score worldy goals or the ref has a nightmare'...last night didn't do much to correct that! Anyway, I think we are getting an idea of the players which are strong enough for a promotion push next season playing these stronger teams. Yup - Eastwood, Nelson, Lundstram, Ledson, Ruffels, McAleny, Johnson, Hall (on a better night). Maguire and Dunkley have their weak points and weren't good last night, but have enough good games as well. Hemmings is, I think, useful to have around the place as a goalscorer. Likewise Sercs (but he has to be played in his proper position) Rothwell we all suspect could be good enough. So eight plus five are good enough to be in a League 1 automatic promotion push. This, I guess, is why MAPP says we need 3 or 4 more first pick players. A centre back, two full-backs, a proper target man. That would then give us 11 or 12 nailed-on quality players, plus another five who have their moments and give you options either off the bench or if someone is injured/ out of form. I haven't seen enough of either, but a fully fit Ribeiro and Martin to strengthen the back 4? Also, Thomas up front?
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Post by Young Money on Mar 22, 2017 9:56:37 GMT
It really is a game of opinions, there seems to be some exact opposite ones on here! - Dunkley is an absolute liability, get rid / He's been very good for most of of the season - Hemmings is a waste of space / He's scored 15 goals in a team which doesn't play to his strengths Bolton were a great, strong team / they were a boring bunch of giants and we dominated them for most of the game For what it's worth, I'm very much in the second category for all of those... I suspect that if we scored 4 goals away from home we would have a chuckle at home fans saying afterwards that they had dominated the game! What a lot of nonsense. Easty had to make at least three great saves on top of the goals we let in! I said we dominated them for most of the game, not that we dominated the game. We had more possession of the football, more shots, and more shots on target. Can't argue with that as those are quite literally facts! Did you watch the second half? A team can dominate the play then get hit on the counter (as we did for their fourth) - we were banging down the door and looked far the more likely to score. As we would have if we'd been given the penalty, or if the shot off the bar had gone in...
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Mar 22, 2017 10:02:10 GMT
It really is a game of opinions, there seems to be some exact opposite ones on here! - Dunkley is an absolute liability, get rid / He's been very good for most of of the season - Hemmings is a waste of space / He's scored 15 goals in a team which doesn't play to his strengths Bolton were a great, strong team / they were a boring bunch of giants and we dominated them for most of the game For what it's worth, I'm very much in the second category for all of those... Some of those aren't really opposites though. Dunkley has been very good for much of the season (at least when he has played on the right) but there is no denying he has a mistake in him - so is a potential liability - and the direction of his headers can leave much to be desired. Hemmings does get in the right place to score goals from close range, but (apart from his closing down, which has improved greatly) he offers little else. He doesn't win headers (and sometimes it's a token effort when he tries to), he lacks pace and he isn't great at picking out a pass. I don't think I've seen him shoot from any distance at all. If he is going to be the first team striker we rely on for goals then we have to play to his strengths by getting balls in from wide, and he has to up his game in the other areas. Bolton were strong AND fairly boring! We dominated for fifteen minutes before the break and most of the second half. But they put four past us (well, three and we put one past ourselves!).
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Mar 22, 2017 10:17:54 GMT
I haven't seen enough of either, but a fully fit Ribeiro and Martin to strengthen the back 4? Also, Thomas up front? Ribeiro looked good in pre-season (although how a run out against Solihull Moors would translate to proper matches, who knows!). I hope we see him in a game or two before the end of the season as I think we are unlikely to sign Edwards for next season. Martin has looked awful every time I have seen him. Thomas is a journeyman striker who has had one very good season in the last decade (at Cheltenham). Since then he has scored 36 goals in 159 games - equivalent to 10 a season. OK, but not world shattering. He'd scored 3 in 13 for us before he got injured, so just about at his normal ratio.
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Post by victor1986 on Mar 22, 2017 10:18:29 GMT
It really is a game of opinions, there seems to be some exact opposite ones on here! - Dunkley is an absolute liability, get rid / He's been very good for most of of the season - Hemmings is a waste of space / He's scored 15 goals in a team which doesn't play to his strengths Bolton were a great, strong team / they were a boring bunch of giants and we dominated them for most of the game For what it's worth, I'm very much in the second category for all of those... Some of those aren't really opposites though. Dunkley has been very good for much of the season (at least when he has played on the right) but there is no denying he has a mistake in him - so is a potential liability - and the direction of his headers can leave much to be desired. Hemmings does get in the right place to score goals from close range, but (apart from his closing down, which has improved greatly) he offers little else. He doesn't win headers (and sometimes it's a token effort when he tries to), he lacks pace and he isn't great at picking out a pass. I don't think I've seen him shoot from any distance at all. If he is going to be the first team striker we rely on for goals then we have to play to his strengths by getting balls in from wide, and he has to up his game in the other areas.
Bolton were strong AND fairly boring! We dominated for fifteen minutes before the break and most of the second half. But they put four past us (well, three and we put one past ourselves!). Yes I really have to question our purchase of Hemmings - only 6 in the League I think - he never seems to break sweat. Hall was poor last night after telling the OM he was "fired up"?? All focus now on Wembley as play-offs too tall an order. The summer will be a VERY interesting time on a number of fronts!
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Post by socrates on Mar 22, 2017 10:54:20 GMT
Next season we need at least two additional strikers
A right winger
A first-choice CB to play alongside Nelson
Two full-backs.
And that's if Marv, McAnely and Maguire don't go
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Post by ttg17 on Mar 22, 2017 11:16:08 GMT
I wonder if people's opinions on how we played / how culpable dunkley was / how good bolton were differ depending on whether they were at the game or saw it on TV. and if so, which is a more accurate reflection of the game. i have very rarely seen such strong and opposed reactions after a game!
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Mar 22, 2017 11:20:53 GMT
What about Ribeiro? Hopefully he could be the right back we need.
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Post by E14Yellow on Mar 22, 2017 11:38:58 GMT
Last night was my first trip to see us play this season. Shameful, I know.. (I live in London and work every weekend and stuff constantly gets in the way of me making it to games). I've watched every game we've had televised thus far and therefore I knew what to expect really.
Eastwood - sensational shot stopper, he really is. The first two goals were tremendous saves and no way he could have got them further from goal but the defence should have mopped up. His distribution decisions weren't always spot on and I do worry about his ability on crosses but we've got a very good keeper there. 7
Edwards - lacking in pace for the overlaps really and I'm not sure who taught him to head a ball but they never went in the intended direction twice in a row, was bizarre to watch! He does seem pretty assured on the ball but seems like Bolton were happy to let him have it, first half so many cross field passes went to him. 5
Dunkley - probably should have been booked if the ref believes Adam "I'm a short useless Reading prick" Le Fondre. Probably should have given away yet more free kicks for the wrestling he does when the ball is in the air - dangerous if a ref is particularly strict. But he is so imposing and decent on the ball he's always going to give a performance. 6
Nelson - didn't realise he was such a marauding centreback! Went off on several runs through the middle when Bolton sat off and I think we have a very good partnership at the back there. Solid when called upon and always looking for a pass forward rather than back to a full back or Dunks. 7
Skarz - didn't look on it at all. Had to be told to make moves forward by MApp or whoever had the ball, nothing incisive going forward and pinged a few fairly hopeless balls over the top. 4
Lundstram - ran the show. Like watching Michael Carrick almost! Loved to chop it back and change direction of our attacks, I really liked that. Keep their defence guessing and you'll cause trouble. Got stuck in for the cause and we probably could have done with him last 5 to settle us on the ball. 8
Ruffels - played second fiddle to Lundstram but felt he showed some decent touches and played a few through balls that didn't come off but on another day could have been troublesome - think Bolton played 3 at the back so deal with those all day. 6
Maguire - quiet night creatively from him, that run through the box last minute, he just needed to shoot! The crosses he did put in were class and the free kick was quite sensational. Glad he perked up second half because first half he was anonymous. 6
Hall - tried too much first half when positioned down near the Bolton fans. Point to prove can either make or break a player and I don't think he had a good night at all. 5
Johnson - in the attacking third he was pretty poor, couldn't latch on to much and his passes weren't good enough to lead to chances. That shot after he moved to left back was a superb effort and I was sure it was destined to fly in. 5
Hemmings - looked tired, languid, slow, bored at times. I fully expected him to come off for Martinez but we went two up top and he looked a bit better there. Not entirely sure what he brings... 4
McAleny - yet to see the replay of the not a penalty incident, but if he did get caught then that ref screwed us hard. His runs were pretty good, he's obviously a real talent but fear he won't stay with us past the end of the season. 6
Martinez - never knew he was so good in the air! Obviously saw the Newcastle goal but he was up against some massive centre backs here. Battled hard and fed off long ball scraps late on - not sure why we panicked so much. 6
Rothwell - didn't do much really, didn't have the chance.
Bolton - poor really but took their chances. They knew they were no better than us with time wasting before HT and for most of the second half..
Ref - less said the better
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Post by horseman on Mar 22, 2017 11:52:33 GMT
I wonder if people's opinions on how we played / how culpable dunkley was / how good bolton were differ depending on whether they were at the game or saw it on TV. and if so, which is a more accurate reflection of the game. i have very rarely seen such strong and opposed reactions after a game! Any mistakes are witnessed by all surely? at the game you're likely more focussed more on your own players at the game you notice more what players without the ball are doing/ are they making runs, looking for space etc watching on tv you're probably more relaxed and appreciate what "both" sides are doing?
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Post by socrates on Mar 22, 2017 12:30:23 GMT
I'll tell you why I think there is a disparity with DUnkley in terms of fans' opinions.
It's just a change in mentality.
For every season for the last, what, 15 years?, Dunkley would have been more than adequate for the level we were at. Cnnference, League Two.
He's a good CB at those levels. Limited when he comes up against better players. But good. He heads it. He is strong. He doesn't stand on ceremony with the ball. That's all you need.
But we have moved on as a team and a club. And fans need to recognise that. He's no longer good enough for what we aspire to be. And as mapp's stated ambition is to bring players to the club who can mix it in the CHampionship, I would be amazed if our excellent recruitment team thought Dunkley was that man in that position.
Dunkley will have a decent League 2 or lower mid-table League 1 career.
For example, if he went to a club like Wycome he'd probably stay there ten years and end up captain and a hero. And good for him.
But we move on. No room for sentiment. And, sadly, no room or time to allow him to improve into the player we want him to be.
He will be, I'm utterly convinced, a third choice CB next season. If he's here at all.
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Post by CheltenhamYellow on Mar 22, 2017 12:41:32 GMT
I've been finding it progressively difficult to appreciate the contribution Hall makes. Does he really affect any more than 10% of the game? How many chances does he create? How many tackles did he make? How many times does he even look like scoring? I know the back-story and I appreciate the problems he's had with injury, but I need someone to convince me he's worth his place at the moment. It seems to me that we carry him on more than a few occasions. I've been really disappointed so far given the potential we were told to expect.
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