Town’s disappointing start to the season hit a new low as Bolton Wanderers came from behind to defeat the still winless Blues 5-2 at Portman Road. Macauley Bonne put his hometown club ahead on five but Dapo Afolayan levelled for the Trotters in the 10th minute, then eight minutes later won the penalty which Eoin Doyle converted to put the visitors in front. A Ricardo Santos own goal put Town on terms on the half hour but just before the break Afolayan added his second in first-half injury time to make it 3-2 and after the break Josh Sheehan and George Johnston made the most of calamitous Blues defending on 47 and 57 to complete Town’s misery.

Christian Walton and George Edmundson were handed their Town debuts, Sone Aluko his first league start and Macauley Bonne and Conor Chaplin returned from injury.

Walton took over from Vaclav Hladky in goal with the Czech dropping out of the 18 and Tomas Holy on the bench.

Edmundson, who has been recovering from a hamstring problem since his move from Rangers, was at the centre of the defence alongside Cameron Burgess - for the first time since a 5-4 EFL Trophy defeat to Carlisle while they were both at Oldham in 2016/17, their only previous game together - with Luke Woolfenden missing from the 18.

Aluko was on the left of the three behind striker Bonne in place of Kyle Edwards, who is injured.

Scott Fraser was also absent from the squad, while Bersant Celina is not yet ready to be involved and Samy Morsy is suspended.

Aside from Bonne, who was released by the Blues at 14, there was no academy player in the Town 18.

Bolton made one change from Monday’s 0-0 draw with Burton with Sheehan taking over from Kieran Lee in midfield.

As has been the case all season, the prior-to-kick-off taking a knee was warmly applauded by the Blues support.

Bolton were first to threaten in the third minute, skipper Antoni Sarcevic looping a header well over from a Sheehan corner, conceded by Burgess as he defended a free-kick in from the right.

But a minute later, the Blues went in front with their first attack of the game. Wes Burns beat Trotters left-back Liam Gordon and, with the defender having gone to ground somewhat easily, crossed low to the far post where the unmarked Bonne was able to tap into the net for his fourth goal of the season. Bolton protests came to nothing.

In the ninth minute Bolton might well have levelled when Lloyd Isgrove chased Doyle’s flick-on and burst towards goal, however, Edmundson slid in to block and then dispossess the Wales international.

But the visitors only had to wait a minute for an equaliser. A long ball from Santos was nodded inside to Afolayan, who had been left a gap in which to shoot low through Walton’s legs and into the net to claim a birthday goal.

Kane Vincent-Young was yellow-carded for a foul on Afolayan in the 13th minute with the game almost like a basketball match with play quickly moving from one end to the other.

And in the 19th minute the Trotters took the lead from the penalty spot. Vincent-Young, already on a booking, mistimed a challenge on the right of the Blues’ box and felled Afolayan.

There were few protests prior to Doyle confidently slamming the kick down the middle as Walton dived to his right.

Isgrove was booked for a foul on Hayden Coulson in the 20th minute before Town boss swapped Vincent-Young for Janoi Donacien, almost certainly to avoid the risk of the former Colchester man being shown a second yellow card having already been booked once and conceded a penalty for challenges on Afolayan.

Bolton subsequently had a spell where they were well in charge but without threatening Walton’s goal further, but as the game approached the half hour mark the Blues began to get more into the game with Gethin Jones picking up the afternoon’s third yellow card for a foul on Aluko.

And on 30 Town levelled. Burns again burst away on the right, crossed low and Santos mis-cleared past his own keeper and into the roof of the net.

Their second goal seemed to give the Blues a huge shot of confidence and on 33 after a spell of possession on the right, Chaplin shot over from the edge of the box. Moments later, the former Barnsley man flicked a header wide at the near post from Coulson’s left-wing cross.

Town might have gone back into the lead in injury time when Burns, already with two assists to his name, beat his man on the right and cut back to Bonne, who scuffed his shot the wrong side of the post.

Bolton immediately went up the other end and claimed the lead themselves. Afolayan was found in acres of space on the left by a cross-field ball from Jones and curled an inch-perfect shot beyond Walton’s left hand and into the corner of the net.

Moments later, referee Madley ended what had been a frenetic half which could have ended with either side in front.

The Blues had grabbed themselves an early lead but once again left themselves too open at the back, allowing the Trotters to level and then go in front with Vincent-Young having been unable to deal with Afolayan.

Having weathered a spell where Bolton threatened to take control, the Blues got back into it via the own goal forced by Burns and had a spell in which they might well have gone back in front.

Bonne will have gone in rueing his late miss with Town again defensively at sea as Afolayan gave the visitors the half-time lead.

On-loan QPR frontman Bonne struck the second-half’s first shot from just outside the box in the 47th minute but Bolton keeper Joel Dixon saved with ease.

The visitors immediately went up the other end and scored their fourth of the game. Walton initially did well to save from Sarcevic with his feet, after Doyle again had been given far too much space, but the loose ball was played to Sheehan, who deftly curled low into the corner of the net.

Having extended their lead to two goals, Bolton sought to plunge the knife in further, Afolayan hitting a half-volley not too far wide, before Sarcevic looped a 51st-minute overhead effort well over following a corner.

The fourth visitors goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Town with the Blues unable to get out of their own half and Bolton pushing for a fifth.

And in the 57th minute it came. Shortly after Walton and Burgess had collided as one sought to clear and one claim, the ball was sent in from the right by Santos and Johnston hooked into the roof of the net at the second attempt.

The fifth Bolton goal triggered loud and prolonged boos around Portman Road, the clearest sign of fan frustration since the start of the season.

There had been little sign that Town would mount anything in the way of a comeback and on 64 Chaplin, who again had looked a threat in brief spells but had been quiet overall, was swapped for Tom Carroll.

The Blues were within an inch or two of reducing the deficit in the 65th minute when Coulson’s free-kick from the left was flicked on to the inside of the post by Bonne, the ball agonisingly bouncing along the line before being cleared. Two minutes later, Evans curled a free-kick into Dixon’s arms.

Walton saved from Doyle on 71 with the visitors looking more likely to net their sixth than the Blues their third.

"Sarcevic belted well over from distance on 80 with the game appearing long over from a competitive perspective.

Four minutes later, moments after Kayden Jackson had replaced Burns, a well-worked Blues move ended with Evans crossing from the right of the box but just too far in front of Bonne at the far post.

The final minutes were played out to test match like chatter around Portman Road rather than the buoyant atmosphere in which the afternoon had begun and the final whistle was greeted with more boos, loud but briefer than earlier before the Sir Bobby Robson Stand applauded Bonne and other members of the team after they went over to clap their appreciation on another very disappointing afternoon for Blues fans.

The sixth goal of the game proved key with Town looking beaten as soon as Bolton scored it so soon after the break and their fifth ended any doubt that the points would be going back to Lancashire.

It was the Blues’ first home league defeat of the season and Bolton’s first league win at Portman Road since November 2001.

Town, who have now conceded 15 goals in six in league matches, were defensively more chaotic than at any time previously this season with the backline looking every bit one which had never played together previously and was regularly on a different wavelength from keeper Walton, who had a debut to forget.

Patience from the Blues’ support has been urged with it inevitable that it will take time for a team to settle after such a turnaround in personnel over the summer.

However, after such a comprehensive defeat to foes of old, it’s similarly inevitable that supporters will start to show their frustrations and start to question the manner in which the Blues have begun the campaign - and perhaps also that recruitment revolution - with the same frailties on show every week.

The result sees the Blues, who last conceded five at home when they were beaten 5-2 by Southampton in August 2011, drop to 22nd in the table now 10 points off second and 13 from top spot, although with 40 games of the long League One season still to play.

Town are next in action at home to West Ham’s U21s in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday before a visit to 17th-placed Lincoln - who won 5-1 at Cambridge today - next Saturday.

Town: Walton, Vincent-Young (Donacien 21), Edmundson, Burgess, Coulson, Harper, Evans (c), Burns (Jackson 84), Chaplin (Carroll 63), Aluko, Bonne. Unused: Holy, Penney, Barry, Pigott.

Bolton: Dixon, Jones, Williams, Santos, Johnston (Baptiste 81), Sheehan (Lee 74), Doyle, Sarcevic (c), Afolayan, Isgrove (Kachunga 62), Gordon. Unused: Gilks, Delfouneso, Aimson, Thomason. Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire). Att: 19,267 (Bolton: 553)

Photo: Matchday Images

pup12 added 18:30 - Sep 11 Cook said we would be a high pressing team !???we would be fitter than the rest!well his had a full two weeks now ...worse than before.I actually thought for once an international break would help...nooooo.No plan B that's for sure ,there is barely a plan A.Two holding midfielders ,who I honestly think are not in their best positions.Evans looked a little happier when pushed forward when Corrol came on.Harpers not able to drive forward like in his highlights video ,told to sit back. What are the coaches doing ?Bolton get it wide and the winger drives at people,why did we not address that .Burns should have been told to track back ! A team that can handle pressure..not what I'm seeing !Nervous when winning 1,0! Shot to bins when loosing . Buck stops with Cook .No Richardson no winning partnership. Eddie Howe ?Chris Wilder !?

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planetblue_2011 added 18:31 - Sep 11 We will be going down not up🤔 Paul Cook obviously isn't a defensive coach!! Didn't see or listen to the game today so can't really comment on the performance but 5-2 at home says it all really😳
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mib added 18:31 - Sep 11 Orraman. well said the happy clappers have got what they wanted.The Messiah,
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Monkey_Blue added 18:32 - Sep 11 On the plus side we have a game in hand on Shrewsbury. 👍
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Nobbysnuts added 18:35 - Sep 11 I could call cook a clown 🤡 but then I would be being totally disrespectful to the hard working men and women who walk around wearing stupid wigs, makeup,stupid clothes,a big red nose and size 15 shoes...Mark me down if you want but if your satisfied with that sh#te then your even more deluded than that scouse idiot himself.
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Linkboy13 added 18:35 - Sep 11 Looks like we could be doing our gelling in league two. Or we could use we've got injuries excuse. It's obvious the only reason some of the players came here is because of the wages. The only players to come out with any credit were Wes Burns (first half) Bonne and Aluko who showed great skill on the ball at times. The players are definitely struggling with the system and must work much harder when they haven't got the ball.

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bluesince76 added 18:39 - Sep 11 Cook can't win no matter what team he puts out his record is abysmal no promotion if we stick with him.COOK OUT.
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Orraman added 18:43 - Sep 11 Marcus Evans thought to himself, “All these years getting slagged off while I kept the club afloat so now it's my turn. Before I leave, I'll give these fans a parting gift. Paul Cook. That'll teach them to call me names. Be careful what you wish for”
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RobsonWark added 18:45 - Sep 11 Just think how the Arizona policemen and fire fighters must be feeling!!
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Monkey_Blue added 18:48 - Sep 11 The usual Cook brown nosing crew are noticeable by their absence. They need some time to try to come up with some new justifications for their blind faith.
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OldTractor added 18:50 - Sep 11 Playing just Bonne up front on his own against three or four Bolton defenders - we never really looked a threat. Yes a couple of good goals thanks to the service of Burns but it was all too obvious looking across our front line we were never going to penetrate their defence. Jackson coming on late on showed that two forwards feeding off each other is more effective than just one person up top. Why on earth we don't play Piggott and Bonne together I don't know. Basics to me.

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EssexTractor added 18:52 - Sep 11 The match was a dire embarrassment But worse than that (maybe) - Paul Cook leaping on to the pitch like a deranged seal clapping before the match … I dread to think what he will do if we win …. So some words about the players ..the best in League One we are told… Walton was our latest goalie uncomfortable as a strange man at the party or poor? KVY - first 20 minutes quite likely his worst ever in professional football Coulson - best player last match , this time ineffective either end of pitch Edmundson - shorter in reality as a dominating centre half , great block in first few minutes , then got bogged down , but twice ran forward across the half way line showing some positivity but looked up to see no one supporting him Burgess - big but nowhere near as in control as his towering counterpart ..(although he did have the dimunitive Chaplin up against him..a true case of “men against the boys”) Harper- has he ever played the ball forward? Evans-yet again sadly forgettable ..as a midfielder and captain. Burns - exceptional first half - a match winner- but got lost in second half as did they all Chaplin- I heard Cook say he was the best finisher he had ever seen …a. Statement that truly sums up both …. Aluko- neat and tidy, obviously was a a good player - stood out today as his colleagues were so poor ..but sadly never threatened the opposition in any meaningful way Bonne- smart finishing a real bright spark - but ploughs that field alone …that is so wrong … Donacien - did ok- Teamwork - impossible to mark as aside from Burns/ Bonne there was none Free kicks/ corners( did we have any?) ..appalling… Leadership- on and off the pitch - Nil The Crowd …joyfully enthusiastic and loyal until goal four when the floor fell in , and as the Indian Summer turns to Falling Autumn Leaves will Sweet Caroline be sung so cheerfully as it was at 2.55 And… Americans , particularly those who make large financial investments, do not take embarrassments such as today's too well…words will be spoken ……. But will actions?

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runaround added 18:52 - Sep 11 Pathetic and embarrassing result. New team needing to gel or not that was unacceptable today. We made it far too easy for Bolton to win. Going forward we look okay but without the ball we are truly awful. The opposition can be attacking our centre halves in seconds with full backs, centre mids and wide players nowhere to be seen. We are easily beaten by any team with a game plan. With the players we have available, even with the current number unavailable, we should be doing so much better. Cook and the coaches and players themselves are the only people that can turn it around but it needs to be done now. Today has to be the lowest point or things will get difficult for Cook quickly

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dirtydingusmagee added 19:01 - Sep 11 STILL trying to get my head around that . A PAUL ing. People will be clutching at straws again, thinking it will be ok when Celina and Morsey play, just like they used to last year, when we get injured players back 'ie KVY, Cook even said it will be better, in post match interview. I have gone along with the 10 game trial after getting slagged off for my remarks over the poor pre season results, but NOTHING HAS CHANGED. Its got to the point now when i cant even bare listening to Cooks voice .I never opted for a season ticket as wasnt convinced ,certainly not regretting that decision. SURELY the new owners must be worried now . IF ,IF ,the axe does fall we will need a manager that can do the job with a complete COOK outfit ,and not one that will use them as an excuse for failing . I really cant see this season ending well.

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surgery added 19:13 - Sep 11 Oh dear, another Northern Comic dies a death
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bonamassablue added 19:16 - Sep 11 I think that I am as stunned as everyone else who was at PR today. Cook is tactically inept. The real problem today was the absence of any structured midfield. Yes, the defence were torn apart and sometimes caused their own problems but there were acres of space for Bolton to play through the middle of the park. Why he doesn't play Carroll from the start amazes me. We saw in MM's time here that the mainly unsung Skuse performed an invaluable role in front of the back 4. When Carroll came on late today we saw him look for the ball, direct other players and splay short passes out just as he did against MK Dons. Without him there was no direction, no one taking control. At corners in the second half town defenders were looking to the bench for direction. The team looked like the 11 strangers that they are and without a captain. 2 bright points were Aluko and Burns. I remember making a similar post shortly after Hurst was appointed and look what happened there.

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Umros added 19:18 - Sep 11 Wot a joke. Two weeks on training ground yada yada! What have we achieved ....oh a couple of ‘Knocks' to key players! 4 wins in what 26/27//28? Doesn't matter with what team. The bloke is simply not up to it and is going to leave us in a worst state than Hurst. Each week hits a new low and you think, surely it will improve? Will it ? I now question it. Enough of cook for me.

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pragmatic added 19:19 - Sep 11 I'm sure that behind the scenes Ashton & O Leary are weighing up possible replacements for Cook & his what seem to be “inept” coaches I would give Cook & his “hand picked” team until November 1st Coyb
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hongkongblue added 19:21 - Sep 11 Another wasted tenner why do we keep coming up with this Bull about Players needing to gel surely they all paid as professionals in this chosen sport And most been together at least 6-8 weeks same response week in week out. Let's see midweek if we play a strong or dare I say full strength squad against West Ham Youths if these players need time to gel at least play them again midweek and see what performance we get then yes it's a pointless cup but game time is game time together Cook bangs on about how he prides his self on his teams fitness then they should have no issue playing 2 games In a week given the international break they've Just had.

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Davidwb20 added 19:23 - Sep 11 @OzzyBlue There's only one Muppet “You”
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EricGatesShinpad added 19:24 - Sep 11 I desperately want PC to do well - he has got the players he wanted, the owners have backed him and he, in theory, should be ready to go..... My worry now is if the owners give him the heave ho it will leave a team, all who came here to work with PC, without their 'leader'. This is where O'Leary and Ashton will earn their money I suppose... They have to make the right call.... I don't know what it is ..... But I do know a couple more kickings like that will destroy any confidence..... Both of players and supporters.... I do worry now...

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Blue_Meanie added 19:25 - Sep 11 Cook= Sheep in Wolves clothing
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Billysherlockblue added 19:28 - Sep 11 Omg where do i start firstly id like to say that from day one every team has sussed out this 4231. Rem. Bolton did not score with a442 ish formation.. this walton is worse than the salford recruit. I think our defence will improve but 4231 ffs is a disaster. Midfield is terrible. Evans the biggest culprit as harper is young and will improve. Again evans takes a free kick an doesn't pass 1st man. Crikey thats sunday league stuff. And still capt does not deserve the right so far. Attacking is good but our midfield way too slow. Also from the start i said cook need a no 2 to help him. A tactician. . I said ill give to xmas but come on this was terrible. Walton for a big lad scared to be hit. Kvy was not his best day but got no midfield cover. Center halves will be good with a different system . Couldon tried hard so wont fault him. Tried to cover back when relised no midfiel to cover him. Midfield disgraceful AGAIN. No pace or heart. Burns and the rest were fab. Cook and co tactically poor.all season so far. Opposing teams know exactly what we are doing. Im not going to call for heads but this is tactically a shambles. Super blues forever 💙

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richardpaul added 19:28 - Sep 11 Michael 101 I find I must agree with you With the big change round of players and the quality of the incomers reportedly far superior to the outgoers a higher than mid table was expected These expectations are obviously built on shaky ground
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RobsonWark added 19:30 - Sep 11 Having watched the Sky Sports highlights...totally NOT impressed with the new keeper!! HOLY should be our No. 1!!
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