This Relegation Battle Will Go Down to the Wire — Notes for Bolton Friday, 19th Jan 2018 11:00 by HarryFromBath HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at The Macron Stadium by delving into their forums. “Losing at Brentford was not a surprising result really, but at least nobody around us won”, “I’m just so desperate for us to pull away from this horrible relegation scrap. It won’t happen. We’re nowhere near consistent enough”, “Normal service resumed, but it’s imperative we beat Ipswich next week.” “We are still out of the bottom three with one game fewer to play.” Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Griffin Park may have left Bolton one place and one point above the relegation places, but they have regrouped after ending September bottom of the table with a frightening two points from their first 11 games. “A most satisfying festive period.” Wins over Hull, Sheffield United and Cardiff over Christmas were evidence of solid progress on the pitch. “A great team effort over Christmas”, “There will continue to be blips but that will be down to a lack of ability rather than any lack of effort.” “We have won three of the last five league games, but we have also lost and played badly. It’s not all rosy”, “This is about all we could expect given that we have spent nothing and made a terrible start. We started the season knowing that fourth-bottom was success and we’re on course in January.” “I’m not sure how much more can be expected with what we have”, “We have got a chance. Nobody is seriously suggesting that we’re definitely staying up. I’m certainly not, but we are an injury away from finishing rock bottom. As always, with luck and a fair wind we will have a decent chance.” Phil Parkinson (Parky)“Anyone wanting Parky out needs a head wobble”, “With the predicament we are in and the squad we have got he’s the best person to keep us up. He’s also the best person to keep us up if the worst happens”, “I can see us having a comfortable mid-table finish if we don’t sell key players in January.”  Phil Parkinson“Come on Parky, it’s time to twist, rather than stick.” The 50-year-old took over in June 2016 after five successful years in charge at Bradford City. Fans have faith in their Chorley-born manager and have praised the spirit he has created in the squad, but many want him to show more adventure. “Parky has managed to fashion a competitive Championship team despite serious restrictions in the transfer market”, “We were dead and buried after 11 games and he sorted it, and remember that he got us here in the first place. I think he will keep us up and he should certainly get a go at doing it.” “Parky has made mistakes and there have been times when I have wondered what he was thinking”, “His dogmatic approach leaves room for doubt. I find it hard to believe that we played three holding midfielders and one up front at home to a Burton side who were bottom of the league at the time.” “Parky pulled off a miracle getting us promoted and there’s nobody who could come in and do much better”, “We might not be the most talented, but he has built a team to be proud of”, “Credit to him for fostering a heroic spirit among the lads. They battle really well and put their bodies on the line.” Papering Over Cracks“We clearly are trying to work on being more patient in building our attacks. We are stringing more passes together before playing it forward. We need to do this more often, but mix it with our hard-running route-one approach”, “We lack the pace up front and in midfield to hit teams on the break.” “The squad is seriously light.” Bolton lack depth. The losses to injury of central midfield stalwarts Darren Pratley and Karl Henry, coupled with the recent return to parent club West Ham of loanees Reece Burke, a centre-back, and midfielder Josh Cullen have left the side exposed in key departments. AlnwickLittleWheaterBeeversRobinsonVelaDerikAmeobiCharsleyMoraisMadine
“Just back and the result was as expected. The loss of so many players left us with too many weak links.” Saturday’s starting XI (above) for their defeat at Brentford was set out with a back four and three in midfield, which has been Parkinson’s preferred shape for most recent league games. Ben Alnwick is seen as a solid keeper but Mark Beevers and David Wheater in central defence lack the pace and mobility of the now-departed Burke. Full-backs Mark Little and Antonee Robinson try to attack with inverted wingers creating space for them, but they can get caught out of position. “It’s just a shame our midfield is missing. We will end up with Brentford forwards running straight at our centre-halves.” Josh Vela is praised for his mobility, but he and Derik Osede are seen as lacking in any bite or steel. Newly-arrived Harry Charnley went straight into the side on loan from Everton. “The midfield isn’t good enough and this absolutely needs addressing”, “If we have to play Vela and Derik in central midfield for a sufficient amount of the rest of the season then we will go down. Neither are good enough to play there”, “We desperately need Henry back for the Ipswich game.” Pratley and Henry both limped off during Bolton’s New Year’s Day win over Hull and many put their injuries down to the intense Christmas schedule. Pratley is out for six weeks with an ankle fracture but Trotters are fervently hoping that Henry recovers from his hamstring injury by Saturday. “It’s all about wide midfielders playing on the wrong side and overlapping full-backs.” Bolton are well stocked for wingers, but only Sammy Ameobi offers a consistent creative threat. Filipe Morais is praised for his crossing, but Craig Noone and Will Buckley have both struggled to make an impact. “We have zero cover up front”, “Parkinson needs to sign a striker in January, but not as an upgrade on Gary Madine, more as an alternative or a rest option.” Bolton’s recovery this season is linked to a return to form of Madine, whose finishing and wider play have both improved the team’s balance. “Anyone watching our FA Cup defeat to Huddersfield can see how crucial Madine is to us. Adam Le Fondre and Aaron Wilbraham were utterly immobile and neither managed to make the ball stick. Both were abject”, “He is single-handedly giving us a chance and is essential to the game we play.” Brentford 2 — 0 Bolton“A shame, but not a drastic result”, “Brentford are a nightmare for us with quality and pacy strikers. Our slow central defence and makeshift midfield was never going to be good enough”, “That display was on a par with those from the start of the season”, “Not impressed, even the beer was rubbish.” Florian Jozefzoon finished from close range on 40 minutes to give the West Londoners the lead and Neal Maupay scored in second-half stoppage time to confirm a routine win. “The 2-0 score was just about right. We could do nothing about Brentford’s Ryan Woods who didn’t lose the ball all day.” “A poor performance all-round. The keeper and defence were okay but midfield and up front were dreadful”, “When we got into good positions we took too many touches and screwed it up. We gave Brentford too much time on the ball and our midfield wasn’t mobile enough to close them down.” Bolton 1 — 2 Huddersfield (FA Cup Third Round)“A poor game which felt like a pre-season match. It needed Huddersfield to go two up before we decided to turn up”, “A pity we lost, but it gave me a stress-free afternoon of football so I’m happy enough”, “The first half was as boring as can be. The second wasn’t too bad entertainment-wise.” “Two goals in two minutes, goodnight then.” Rajiv van la Parra put the Terriers ahead on 51 minutes, forcing the ball home from close range from a corner and Danny Williams’s long-range strike doubled their lead a minute later. Derik pulled a goal back for Bolton on 64, heading home from a corner. HowardLittleWheaterBeeversRobinsonAmeobiVelaDerikMoraisLe FondreWilbraham
“We played 4-4-2 and surrendered midfield to a poor Huddersfield side.” Parkinson’s limited ability to rotate was highlighted with a starting line-up (above) which included his strongest back four and midfield. “The two we had playing up front did less work than Madine gets through in 90 minutes.” Bolton 1 — 0 Hull“Get in, that was nerve-jangling!”, “A great win and a first on New Year’s Day since Preston away in 2001. We really battled for the points today”, “This team has got some real fighting spirit now. We played some good football”, “It’s all down to us, we need to keep up these strong performances”, “What a beauty. The lad is on fire!” Gary Madine won the game for the hosts with a well-struck freekick on 20 minutes in a moment which capped a fine individual display. “Hull had the majority of the ball, but we had as just many shots and chances as they did. The team gave everything they had.” AlnwickLittleBurkeBeeversRobinsonHenryPratleyAmeobiVelaBuckleyMadine
A starting XI (above) which included Burke, Pratley and Henry was a more challenging prospect for the Tigers. Josh Cullen, who replaced Henry after 13 minutes “worked hard and got his challenges in. He was quick to move the ball on and forward” in his final appearance before returning to West Ham. Plan B at Sheffield United“It’s a win, that’s absolutely superb!” It’s also worth looking at Bolton 1-0 win at the Blades on the Saturday after Christmas. Parkinson’s clever use of wing-backs helped win the game. “United were not prepared for our set up and it took them at least 30 minutes to adapt. By then it was too late.” “We took our lead when we were on top and protected it brilliantly.” Madine’s close-range finish on 21 came 10 minutes before Blades’ boss Chris Wilder altered his side’s shape with Bolton by that stage controlling the game. “Just got back, what a win. Well done Parky for trying something new.” AlnwickBurkeWheaterBeeversMoraisPratleyHenryCullenRobinsonLe FondreMadine
“It’s odd to see such a drastic change”, “The more I think about it, that line-up [above] isn’t bad. The Blades are a ball-winning team, and an extra ball-winner in Cullen playing in midfield might just stifle them. Robinson and Morais are both dangerous going forward and Le Fondre can work off Madine.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“Ben Alnwick is as steady as anything at the moment, a big part of our resurgence.” The 31-year-old former Peterborough keeper “is a great shot-stopper who has kept us in many games”, “He gave a masterclass in our win over Norwich in November, commanding his box and making crucial saves.” “If I have any gripe with Alnwick, it’s his reluctance to catch the ball when it is the easier option and he still looks shaky with the odd cross”, “He puts in solid displays and is definitely no weak link, but I want him to improve his kicking. It may be down to windy conditions but many of them are poor.”  Ben Alnwick“Mark Little gives us a good attacking outlet down the right flank.” The 29-year-old summer signing from Bristol City “looks to be our best right-back for many years. He has been a big factor in scoring goals”, “He gets forward very well and the partnership between him and Ameobi is great to watch.” “I get a sinking feeling when I know Little isn’t playing because our full-backs are a key way for us to break down packed defences”, “Sometimes he shuffles forward to the man in possession, leaving a gap from which opponents can cross. He isn’t as defensive minded as many traditional full-backs.” “Antonee Robinson is fine in many games but his lack of defensive ability is exposed against better sides.” The 20-year-old left-back is on loan from Everton. “He’s a very promising player who is not afraid to take the ball forward but he misses challenges and at times he can be a walking disaster.” “It would be good if Robinson could trade some pace for brains”, “He has had some great games, but he is erratic and has a lot to learn still about the art of defending”, “He goes walkabout, chasing balls and drifting too far forward, out of position”, “He is decent going forward but is not the next Cafu.” “Mark Beevers was amazing against Hull, making one heroic block.” The 28-year-old former Millwall centre-half played well against the Tigers but his wider form has been “a shadow of last season” in this campaign. “I’m sick of him looking like a League One clogger and out of his depth every week.” “Beevers adds experience but he gets caught out by pacier forwards and he loses his man”, “He has made miraculous clearances and goal-line headers, but he goes to ground after being bamboozled by cleverer strikers”, “Can his ‘tackling with the wrong foot’ moments not be coached out of him?” David Wheater“Wheater’s obvious strength is his aerial ability on the end of freekicks.” The 30-year-old former Middlesbrough centre-back “is slow at this level and it gets exposed. Any attacker with pace will just destroy him and most teams at this level, unlike in League One, will have quick and pacy attackers.”  David Wheater“We can’t play a high defensive line with Wheater as it won’t take opponents long to pop balls over the top and see what happens”, “He is vulnerable to pace and movement in the box and in addition he isn’t comfortable in possession”, “He struggles up against sustained pressure and quick players.” Central Midfielders“Derik Osede is the weak link.” The 24-year-old ex-Real Madrid B man “is a jack of all trades and a master of none. He’s not particularly good and has no future here”, “Occasionally he looks like quite a classy footballer. He might get away with it when playing up against less physical midfielders.” “Anyone claiming that Derik is a good player who boasts a Real Madrid pedigree and who has a great pass on him is completely wrong. The lad is terrible and is being pushed out the door by Parky for a reason”, “He’s too static”, “He’s an option but we have better ones in most positions”, “He’s awful.” “Harry Charsley is straight into the Brentford team, blimey.” The 21-year-old Everton loanee joined last Friday. “He was okay but didn’t offer much and was often pushed off the ball. I expected this from a lad with two games of first-team football, but he does look like he has something about him.” “Josh Vela is an incredible athlete and works hard every week. He is important to keep but there are far better out there.” The 24-year-old youth product “is important for our high work-rate game but he is not a midfielder”, “He makes decent interceptions and puts the yards in harrying opponents.” “Vela is okay without the ball but give him the ball and he’s average at best”, “He’s busy and puts the opposition under pressure but he needs to add more creativity and a goal threat”, “He looks lost in midfield and he is constantly out of position. He offers no support to Madine or to our wingers.” Karl Henry“We desperately need Karl Henry back for Ipswich.” The 35-year-old ex-Wolves and QPR man joined as a free agent in late September and many Trotters have linked their revival with his arrival. “Henry adds real steel and energy and seems to be the organiser. He has been an absolutely crucial signing.”  Karl Henry“Henry is by no means a classic footballer, in fact he’s a clogging destroyer. With him we are more solid and organised”, “Our play has become one-dimensional, as much as he has improved us “If we get out of this mess, his signing will probably be the single pivotal event that turned it around.” “The signing of the season, the guy is absolutely immense. We all know there was a gap in central midfield and he bosses the middle of the pitch. He’s exactly what we needed”, “I can understand his rattling into tackles, but he squabbles with opponents and referees which win him cheap cautions.” Wingers“I have liked the look of Craig Noone when we have seen him in cameos. He’s direct, aggressive and has pace that really helps in this league.” The 30-year-old August arrival from Cardiff “looks like he can create something and is a good crosser of the ball”, “He seems up for in in his time on the pitch.” “Noone likes to play the same role as Ameobi, coming in on his left foot from the right”, “He needs to keep it simple as he gives the ball away cheaply at times”, “He struggled in his last start away at Boro on Boxing Day”, “I would play him on the left wing, where Will Buckley has failed to shine.”  Craig Noone v Arthur Masuaku (West Ham)“Will Buckley is the only one that doesn’t do it for me. He works hard for the team but his touch is awful and he looks lumbering when on the ball.” The 28-year-old former Brighton and Sunderland man “is a disappointment. There’s a good footballer in there but it’s not happening for him now.” “Buckley is a good direct runner who could be an asset is be gets a run of starts”, “I don’t see what he has to offer. Defensively his positioning is non-existent. If he does get near an opponent with the ball his tackling is powder-puff”, “A decent player who is still recovering from a variety of injuries.” “Filipe Morais has an excellent delivery, but it hasn’t been enough to gain us points this season.” The 32-year-old Portuguese arrived from Bradford last February. “His work-rate and protection of his full-back is immediately obvious. His strength is his crossing which is nullified when he plays on the left.” “The little turn of pace that found Morais space in League One isn’t enough in this league alone. We play with one striker and it doesn’t help as his excellent deliveries are wasted with fewer targets in the box”, “He’s the other side of 30, and it was tricky and a big ask for him to step up to this level.” Sammy Ameobi“Sammy is the one player we have who can score a goal from nothing. He is our only really creative player.” The 25-year-old former Newcastle man “often plays at a different level to everyone else. He skins left-backs and put in very intelligent balls. If we can keep him fit we will comfortably survive.”  Sammy Ameobi“Ameobi grafts like hell and gives great support to Mark Little. It’s no coincidence at all that people comment on how good our full-backs are when he plays”, “Teams never leave their full-back one-on-one with him. A midfielder is always close by in support if he cuts inside on his favourite left foot.” Strikers“Adam Le Fondre is a penalty box specialist.” The 31-year-old ex-Reading and Cardiff man “doesn’t have the strength or pace to be a lone striker, and he lacks the engine to do the defensive work or the creative ability to replace the supporting midfielders. He’s more of a League One striker now.”  Adam Le Fondre“If Le Fondre has some pace it might be a different story but he’s too slow to offer anything up front given how we play”, “He can buzz around Madine to chase and pick up the flick-ons which makes a refreshing change”, “You can’t carry a player nowadays in case something drops to them in the box.” “Aaron Wilbraham was a back-up desperation signing.” The 38-year-old one-time Canary arrived in August from Bristol City. “He’s a has-been who is not going to get us last-minute goals. It is time for him to hang his boots up”, “He can’t run or jump to get off the ground and he doesn’t win the ball.” Gary Madine“Thanks to Madine we have a chance now. It’s as plain as day how crucial he is. If we sell him, we go down.” The 27-year-old ex-Sheffield Wednesday man “doesn’t get injured, and creates and scores goals well. He’s developing a clever footballing brain and is looking for team-mates with clever passes.”  Gary Madine v Adeyemi and McGoldrick“Madine has been great this season but his performance against Hull was outstanding, a stunning freekick along with absolutely brilliant hold-up play”, “He has been outstanding in the air both in attack and in defence. He is essential to the way we play and giving us a chance as a lone striker.” “Madine has always had the ability but it looks like he has finally grown up as a footballer. He is our talisman and in a real purple patch at the moment”, “It’s between the ears that has held Gary back. Fair play to the dedication he is showing, but let’s see how he copes when things don’t go his way.” Trotters’ Views on ITFC and the Game“I’m a little nervous and unsure over this one”, “We don't often seem to beat Ipswich over the years”, “Prior to Saturday Ipswich’s form was pretty poor but they had a good win over Leeds and that young Manchester City lad we were after [Bersant Celina] scored.” “I would probably prefer to face Wolves than Ipswich”, “They will be organised, physical and there will be a period in the game where their midfield gets on top of ours and they have enough quality to make that count. They will also probably handle Madine better than many teams would.” Many Trotters see the game finishing as a draw or an away win. The overwhelming issue is whether or not Karl Henry will be available to strengthen their midfield. “Big Mick's team is exactly the sort of team I don't really want us face right now. They'll be physical and probably outfight us in midfield.” “For us our chances of winning this are largely dependent on whether Henry is fit to take his place in the midfield. If he isn't then personally I feel our midfield, without Pratley as well, will be too weak to win this. If he is then we have a decent chance”, “I would be very surprised if he doesn’t play.” “Any mention of Ipswich for many BWFC fans conjures up memories of play-off battles around the turn of the century. In the 1998/99 we beat them on away goals in the play-off semis before losing to Watford at Wembley. Then in 1999/2000 we drew them again in the play-off semi-finals. “The main story was the performance of referee Barry Knight [in the second leg of the play-offs]. He awarded Ipswich three very dubious penalties and booked no Ipswich players, whilst awarding an astounding 12 yellow and two red cards to Bolton players.” The 2000 Portman Road play-off game got its usual mention but there was no lengthy discussion on this occasion. Trotters have reflected instead on our long stay in the Championship. “Ever since 2002 Ipswich have been in the Championship, rarely threatening to go up or down. Some might call it stability, others stagnation, but crowds are at their lowest level for decades as disquiet over the entertainment levels in the last couple of seasons have led to calls for change. “Change would represent the loss of long-term manager Mick McCarthy or long-term owner Marcus Evans. However, it might be a case of being careful what one wishes for given Evans has sunk nearly £100 million into the club during his 10-year ownership stint, and McCarthy has guided the club to upper mid-table finishes each season until last year’s 16th.” “McCarthy has done a remarkable job there all things considered and I'd be delighted if in five years’ time we had five mid-table finishes like they have. It must feel like stagnation for older Town fans yet without significant new funds they won't leave this division in an upwards direction any time soon.” WebsitesThe two busiest Wanderers message boards are The Wanderer and Wanderers Ways.
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