Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....
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The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
F.A. CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW
A very tough away trip down to Millwall for Bolton Wanderers as the excitement builds for the F.A. Cup Third Round. An all Championship clash and a tricky away tie. Bolton played at The Den back in September and were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat. Wanderers fans will be hoping for a good cup run and to be returning back North in the hat for the fourth round.
A very tough away trip down to Millwall for Bolton Wanderers as the excitement builds for the F.A. Cup Third Round. An all Championship clash and a tricky away tie. Bolton played at The Den back in September and were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat. Wanderers fans will be hoping for a good cup run and to be returning back North in the hat for the fourth round.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
BLOOD AND GUTS PERFORMANCE ON A WET AND WINDY DAY AT THE RIVERSIDE
Not many teams take points at Bramall Lane and this was no different. Sheffield United were on the upturn, 11th place in the table and two days before sacked manager Shaun Derry. With Lee Bowyer the firm favourite for the job, managerless Sheffield United turned in a performance of the highest order and was a day Bolton looked out of sorts. Oliver Norwood scored early with a long range effort comfortably beating Ben Amos and not a single Bolton player closing him down. The second came on 62 minutes when Greg Docherty fouled inside the box giving away a blatant penalty. Duncan Ferguson was livid with his midfielder who received a yellow card for his error. Fleck tucked it into the bottom corner, Amos not quick enough to get across. Bolton opted for a change in formation and Oztumer went into the no. 10 role behind Pedro to give some emphasis in attack. Dwight McNeil had a rare poor game and was substituted for Rafael Mir. Pedro had a chance to put Bolton back in the game when after beating Danny Batth hit a slow shot into the hands of Declan Rudd and the player kicking himself for missing such a great opportunity. Callum Slattery wrapped up the game after getting on the end of Maraghs' cross with a low left footed shot tapped in to a gaping goal. 3-0 and no coming back for Bolton.
Ferguson knew it had to change and replaced Nathan Byrne at right back with the returning from injury Dimitri Cavare. Bolton looked better organised and took the game to Middlesbrough, comfortably controlling possession throughout the first half, not a spectacle as such but the positives were to get into half-time at 0-0. Bolton carried on where they left off and the game dynamic changed when Rafael Mir replaced Dennis Politic on the right wing and Manasse Mampala replaced a tiring Joao Pedro on 68 minutes. Rafael Mir wasted no time introducing himself and had a right footed half volley saved by Rodak alerting the Middlesbrough back line to the oncoming danger. Bolton kept control of the game, Boro fans began to lose patience. A free-kick on 84 minutes saw Oztumer curl one in to the top right corner sending the travelling support into raptures and the subs bench into a frenzy. The game resumed and it was Ferguson on the touchline instructing his players to get tight and fight for every ball. Every time Boro had the ball around the Bolton box there was magnificent tackles coming in from Docherty and Lowe in the midfield. Bellusci and Osede who have formed a great centre back pairing closed everything down, giving their all in the battle to secure the three points. Remi Streete was brought on for Oztumer in the 91st minute to go five at the back and with Boro pressing hard, Bolton played with steel to clear everything away from danger. 95 minutes on the clock before the whistle finally blew. An ecstatic Duncan Ferguson saluted his players and travelling support.
LEAGUE TABLE AFTER 22 GAMES
Not many teams take points at Bramall Lane and this was no different. Sheffield United were on the upturn, 11th place in the table and two days before sacked manager Shaun Derry. With Lee Bowyer the firm favourite for the job, managerless Sheffield United turned in a performance of the highest order and was a day Bolton looked out of sorts. Oliver Norwood scored early with a long range effort comfortably beating Ben Amos and not a single Bolton player closing him down. The second came on 62 minutes when Greg Docherty fouled inside the box giving away a blatant penalty. Duncan Ferguson was livid with his midfielder who received a yellow card for his error. Fleck tucked it into the bottom corner, Amos not quick enough to get across. Bolton opted for a change in formation and Oztumer went into the no. 10 role behind Pedro to give some emphasis in attack. Dwight McNeil had a rare poor game and was substituted for Rafael Mir. Pedro had a chance to put Bolton back in the game when after beating Danny Batth hit a slow shot into the hands of Declan Rudd and the player kicking himself for missing such a great opportunity. Callum Slattery wrapped up the game after getting on the end of Maraghs' cross with a low left footed shot tapped in to a gaping goal. 3-0 and no coming back for Bolton.
Ferguson knew it had to change and replaced Nathan Byrne at right back with the returning from injury Dimitri Cavare. Bolton looked better organised and took the game to Middlesbrough, comfortably controlling possession throughout the first half, not a spectacle as such but the positives were to get into half-time at 0-0. Bolton carried on where they left off and the game dynamic changed when Rafael Mir replaced Dennis Politic on the right wing and Manasse Mampala replaced a tiring Joao Pedro on 68 minutes. Rafael Mir wasted no time introducing himself and had a right footed half volley saved by Rodak alerting the Middlesbrough back line to the oncoming danger. Bolton kept control of the game, Boro fans began to lose patience. A free-kick on 84 minutes saw Oztumer curl one in to the top right corner sending the travelling support into raptures and the subs bench into a frenzy. The game resumed and it was Ferguson on the touchline instructing his players to get tight and fight for every ball. Every time Boro had the ball around the Bolton box there was magnificent tackles coming in from Docherty and Lowe in the midfield. Bellusci and Osede who have formed a great centre back pairing closed everything down, giving their all in the battle to secure the three points. Remi Streete was brought on for Oztumer in the 91st minute to go five at the back and with Boro pressing hard, Bolton played with steel to clear everything away from danger. 95 minutes on the clock before the whistle finally blew. An ecstatic Duncan Ferguson saluted his players and travelling support.
LEAGUE TABLE AFTER 22 GAMES
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £80m
How are Fylde getting on mate?
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
I bet this story doesn't have a happy ending.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Fylde continued into December without any consistency and the 3-2 defeat to Harrow in the last minute will leave a bitter taste in the Fylde fans mouths.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Promotion chasing Bristcol City played host to Ferguson's Bolton at Ashton Gate. A fiery affair started with Bristol City being the better side throughout the first half but the scores still at deadlock as we went into the half-time. George Honeyman was brought on to bolster the Bristol City attack but a minute later it was Bolton's talisman Pedro who put the Trotters 1-0 up with a fine finish knocking the ball past the Bristol defence and using his pace to keep possession of the ball before firing one with his right foot low and hard into the corner. George Honeyman equalised from the spot after Bellusci mis-timed his lunge and brought down Wright-Pugh for the penalty. The last ten minutes was an end to end battle and Bolton held their own. It was Rafael Mir's cross to Pedro into the box, Pedro headed the ball on to the back post for Politic to tuck away. 2-1 with minutes to go. A solid defensive display ensued for Bolton keeping everything out and playing a way they have become familiar with. A great win for Bolton on a tricky away day down at Bristol.
The Boxing day fixture list brings joy to all fans over the christmas period but this poor, disappointing performance from Bolton left a lot t be desired. Wednesday found themselves taking an early lead, Depoitre finsihing with a first time strike after receiving the ball on the edge of the box from Barlaser on the left wing. Wednesday continued to atack in numbers, Daniel James proving to be a danger from the right flank. Dasilva made it 2-0 a few minutes later when striking from the edge of the penalty area with no Bolton challenge. Bolton's best chance of the half was Greg Docherty's over the bar effort from 20 yards out. Bolton unable to get men into the box in space to create anything worthwhile. Bolton lacked complete direction and Lewis Gibson had no option to punt a hopeful ball up field for Pedro to chase down. The ball was won by Wednesday who launched it forward for Depoitre to smash home his second of the game. Knudsen crossed from the left to the far post, Lewis Gibson received the ball but it ran away from him and Daniel James sniffed out the chance to put his side 4-0 up. A devastating day for Bolton Wanderers. Oztumer laid the ball to Docherty who scored an absolute screamer from 25 yards out but the goal would only serve as a consolation. The Trotters well and truly defeated by mid-table Sheffield Wednesday.
DF: Consistency. Plain and simply put - we don't have it. We secured two great away wins but then let ourselves down in front of our home fans. It seems we can't quite mix it with some of these teams in this division, if we opt to play with more adventure we get picked off far too easily and fall apart all over the pitch. Some games we look good, play well but today shows we have a lot of work still to do.
The last game of 2023 ending miserably for Bolton. Stoke City's Benik Afobe was in top form getting on the scoresheet twice with both goals coming in the second half. James Ward-Prowse was given far too much space on the right to be able to cross for Guus Til who headed the ball through Ben Amos' hands. No respinse from Bolton and another poor display. Joao Pedro had a poor game in front of goal and was later replaced by Mason Murphy who had little impact up top. Seven goals conceded in two games for Bolton who at this point found themselves 9 points clear of the drop zone.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
NEW YEARS DAY 2024
The transfer window is back open for business and Bolton face bottom of the table Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
We gathered a few fans opinions who have have travelled down to Portman Road for the clash.
"If we don't pick up the points today I can see questions being asked of Ferguson's management style. Ipswich are rock bottom and we need the points to stay in this division"
"What are we expecting? The expectations for Ferguson are demanding from our fan base! He has managed thus far on no money for players, I think he is doing a remarkable job considering the players we have and the lack of investment. We are mid-table and that is more than what we expected from the team at this stage. Fans have short memories - we are at best a League One side."
"These are the games we should be winning. I've seen Ipswich this season and they have been terrible. We have looked good at times but we have also played badly. We have a bright, young team who can go far in the game. Certain players make us tick and we need the likes of Oztumer, Docherty and Pedro at their best. McNeil has been disappointing lately, has he had his head turned elsewhere?"
The transfer window is back open for business and Bolton face bottom of the table Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
We gathered a few fans opinions who have have travelled down to Portman Road for the clash.
"If we don't pick up the points today I can see questions being asked of Ferguson's management style. Ipswich are rock bottom and we need the points to stay in this division"
"What are we expecting? The expectations for Ferguson are demanding from our fan base! He has managed thus far on no money for players, I think he is doing a remarkable job considering the players we have and the lack of investment. We are mid-table and that is more than what we expected from the team at this stage. Fans have short memories - we are at best a League One side."
"These are the games we should be winning. I've seen Ipswich this season and they have been terrible. We have looked good at times but we have also played badly. We have a bright, young team who can go far in the game. Certain players make us tick and we need the likes of Oztumer, Docherty and Pedro at their best. McNeil has been disappointing lately, has he had his head turned elsewhere?"
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
THE RESPONSE
Ferguson ditched the 4-2-3-1 and went with an attacking 4-4-2 playing Pedro and Mampala up front. Mampala allowed Pedro the freedom to be more creative and clinical scoring a sublime effort on 4 minutes after receiving the ball long from Amos, skipping past .... and finishing with his right foot. Mampala scored the second after another long ball deceived the Ipswich back limne and Mampala took it on the bounce, burying it nicely into the bottom corner. Kadzidlo almost got Ipswich back in the game but it header skimmed the cross bar going out for a goal kick. Poundje spotted Batty on the outside of the box who tucked away a long range finish to give Bolton a 3-0 lead. A rarity for The Trotters at this stage. Rafael Mir scored from Batty's corner five minutes later out-jumping goalkeeper Sarkic to make it 4-0. Ipswich had an effort crack the bar on 68 minutes and then eventually clawed one back through the head of Joe Cunningham. Too late for a fightback, Joao Pedro putting in a man of the match performance and it seems putting him up top with Mampala or Murphy may just be the answer for Bolton. Next up - the F.A. Cup Third Round.
Ferguson ditched the 4-2-3-1 and went with an attacking 4-4-2 playing Pedro and Mampala up front. Mampala allowed Pedro the freedom to be more creative and clinical scoring a sublime effort on 4 minutes after receiving the ball long from Amos, skipping past .... and finishing with his right foot. Mampala scored the second after another long ball deceived the Ipswich back limne and Mampala took it on the bounce, burying it nicely into the bottom corner. Kadzidlo almost got Ipswich back in the game but it header skimmed the cross bar going out for a goal kick. Poundje spotted Batty on the outside of the box who tucked away a long range finish to give Bolton a 3-0 lead. A rarity for The Trotters at this stage. Rafael Mir scored from Batty's corner five minutes later out-jumping goalkeeper Sarkic to make it 4-0. Ipswich had an effort crack the bar on 68 minutes and then eventually clawed one back through the head of Joe Cunningham. Too late for a fightback, Joao Pedro putting in a man of the match performance and it seems putting him up top with Mampala or Murphy may just be the answer for Bolton. Next up - the F.A. Cup Third Round.
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £80m
Good to see Villa still in the championship. Disgusting team
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Reports of drama unfolding at Bolton Wanderers F.C.
zzr45
#MURDERINGSCUM
My mate was right!
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