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Bolton Wanderers 2 v 1 Fleetwood Town
SkyBet League One
Saturday, 2nd November 2019 Kick-off 15:00

Voting was locked for this match at midnight on Sunday 3rd November but you may still add your mini match reports. Note that members and non-members alike were able to vote.


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Your Bolton Wanderers v Fleetwood Town Match Reports

dirtydingusmagee added 11:11 - Sep 23

anybody having watched last 3 games still seeing positives and hope ?Thisweek has showed just how far we have come since Keane took charge ,under Jewell we are STILL going backwards.
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8ashblue added 13:11 - Sep 23

i didnt see this result coming but it does show how much confidence promoted clubs have in whatever division they rise to. That aside this was aside built by PJ and playing to his tune! I stil dont understand his tactics or style of play. For example he switches formations too often and they doesnt seem to be any attempt to keep the ball on the floor despite having a really small squad.
PJ hasnt built a squad that looks like it knows what its doing. There are passages of good play but it almost seems by accident rather than design. Yesterday Charlton were consistent and kept plugging away even when we had control, almost like they know it would work and of cours eit did.
Both Mills and Mathie have been able to provide insight in their commentry and solutions to Town's problems. I'm sure they'd make a good team with Klug and put some smiles back on our faces!!
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ChrisFelix added 16:51 - Sep 29

Listening to the game today, we appear a team in retreat in more ways than one.
We score & then sit back hoping that the opponents wont score. The strikers are never mentioned.
Sorry to say we are club heading down. Need a new manager to motivate
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blue added 17:02 - Sep 29

1 point better than nothing weldone for a make shift team, see you all at brighton.Are we on the UPPPPPPPPPPPPPP !!!
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Chicago_Blue added 17:26 - Sep 29

It is a sad, sad state of affairs when we're thrilled with grinding out a point against Barnsley.
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newtownfan13 added 17:49 - Sep 29

Anyone who can celebrate on a one point at Barnsley is deluded. We need team consistency and a manager to impliment this instead of different team each week and different formations, i am sure the guys are as fed up as we the fans are with the alterations each week,noone knows who is playing up until the hour before kick off, who picks teams like that only PJ....................................time for a change, i am sure moral is low in the changing room and in training, daily.....
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VINNIEBLUE added 18:15 - Sep 29

Come on guys, we've stopped the slide. Before kick off, I would have taken a point considering our recent form. I'm not celerbrating but this as to be a positive, unless you want to throw in the towel in now.
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dommyboyblue added 18:32 - Sep 29

Agree with Vinnie, it has stopped the rot but we need to kick on from here though so will be interesting to see where we are come next Saturday night. Think this week will probably make or break PJs reign as towns manager.
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dommyboyblue added 18:39 - Sep 29

Did not realise that we played that fcukin diamond formation. Surely the way to counter it is not to match up but to do what every team who battered us last year did and get it wide and double up on the full backs, getting decent deliveries in to the box. But what do I know.
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cbower added 19:05 - Sep 29

Oakwell is one of my closest trips so back already. No repeat of the thriller of last December and probably, in terms of the second half performance, no real reprieve for Jewell or confidence building for the players.
A rather confusing midfield line-up from PJ with central players Hyam and Drury occupying the "wide" midfield berths and N'Daw and Martin the central roles in a reprise of last year's early season diamond formation. As a consequence, we were narrow but generally effective in nullifying Barnsley's attacking play in the first 45 with the hosts limited to some hopeful crosses and long range efforts on the whole. Apart from Loach being bundled into the goal, the Tykes were not especially threatening. Town played the better football and led from the sixth minute when a training ground move involving Martin, Drury and Creswell saw the latter's freekick squirm under Alnwick's body and into the goal. Murphy's well struck shot on the turn went straight to the keeper and other than than that, Town's hard work never really created too much that could be described as clear cut. All too often, the play would break down. Indeed, on two ocassions we had the ball on the edge of Barnsley's box and without losing possession, the ball eventually ended up at Loach's feet only to be aimlessly launched forward! On the balance of play, perhaps we deserved our half-time lead......just.
Hyam was replaced by Luongo at the interval (presumably an injury) and the formation stayed the same. Tactically, Barnsley changed their approach. They moved the ball much quicker in the second 45, continually spreading the play from side to side. Town's midfield worked hard to contain without really putting in anything that amounted to a serious looking tackle. The referee was prone to giving free-kicks for very little throughout and as the home side pressed, we picked up several bookings for inoccuous looking challenges.

Even though we were generally under pressure, the boys still had several opportunities in the second period. Chambers forced a decent save from a corner and most obviously Ellington, on for Scotland, headed over when he seemed destined to open his Town account. Martin also miscued a further effort wide.
However, as the second half progressed and with Ainsley on for N'Daw (had to be an injury?), the boys got deeper and deeper. The home side struck the inside of the post, had numerous sttempts blocked, forced Loach into two fine saves and generally we rode our luck to say the least. The Tykes finally breached our defence with 15 minutes to go with a really well taken volley that Loach could only palm into the goal. Thereafter, we simply could not retain possession and when we did get the ball, there was no outlet and the ball simply kept coming back time after time. I think every Town fan just wanted the final whistle to go and get out with a point. In summary, OK first half, outplayed second half. Off to the league leaders for the Blues midweek - a point would be a good outcome on this showing.
Loach - some good saves and a decent showing. Not really commanding though
Edwards - usual effort from Carlos. Exposed by the narrowness of the midfield far too often in the second period
Creswell - joint top scorer!!!!!! Not reaching last year's standards but reasonable today
Chambers - solid, brave and won his share
Higginbottom - Won lots of aerial ball, good positional sense. Improved the back line
Hyam - worked, chased and harried. Out of position though but missed in second half
Drury - see Hyam. Looked really tired by the end
N'Daw - did Ok first half. Moves the ball well. If PJ took him off for tactical reasons then this was a error. We surrendered the midfield thereafter.
Martin - run, run, work, pressure. Can't ask for more from Lee except for a bit more end product infront of goal
Murphy - when he jumps he is effective and can be quite a threat. Is he brave enough to put himself in where it really hurts in the six yard box? - I don't see it myself
Scotland - good effort and hold up play although he can hang on to it a little too long. Had a couple of sights of goal but didn't pull the trigger quick enough. Went off too early for me.
Luongo - neat, tidy but the diamond doesn't suit him.
Ainsley - chasing shadows in midfield. It's not his position and it showed
Ellington - probably should have scored but his general play didn't impress neither

Thanks for reading
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StowTractorBoy added 19:54 - Sep 29

cbower thanks for your report which in general makes depressing reading. At the end of the day we got a point but sounds as though we were very fortunate. Well done to the 500 plus who made the trip.
Not looking good now and I really believe Div One is beckoning. Only consolation today is that the budgies got stuffed but how they must be laughing at us. Two more defeats (The tipping point) PJ and your job is in peril.
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gazzer1999 added 19:59 - Sep 29

people forget its just like watching Brazil, so it must be a super point gained, John Barnes had a whole career out of one goal against Brazil.
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h32 added 19:59 - Sep 29

...... playing players out of position seldom works for anyone - wonder if Jewell will ever realise that.

Tactically clueless once again I'm afraid.

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algarvefan added 23:22 - Sep 29

cbower, once again thank you for your well measured report. I always look forward to reading your match reports mate.well done!
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Mullet added 23:46 - Sep 29

The cool, crisp, autumnal afternoon saw the sun glare over the vast expanse of the sparsely populated Oakwell for Town’s visit today. They say in the fight game when things get really tough old habits and a fraction of your ability is all you have. So it was no surprise but a little odd to see Jewell employ the fabled and flawed diamond formation on a vast and green pitch. Barnsley went for wingers whereas Town flanked the hulking N’Daw with Hyam on the right and Drury on the left, Martin just behind the big man from Ireland and the little big man called Scotland. Higginbotham partnered Chambers, with Edwards and Cresswell our sole source of width, in front of Scotty LoachisabluehehatesNorwich.

Town had the brighter start, a busy midfield hustled the ball forward and the first chance was an audacious half volley from distance sent high and wide by the man on loan from France. Martin proved to be our main threat as he ran at anything, sometimes with the ball, sometimes just because.

With much possession and little incisiveness the hosts played around Town but struggled to challenge us. Town’s early dominance was down to our willingness to wait for a loose ball and spring a quick and gallant counter. The industry was all Town’s as we worked the ball in and around the Barnsley box.

Martin was dubiously fouled when he took a tumble after a tumble and a freekick was awarded. The wary hosts who must wonder what they have done to deserve so much misery at the hands of Town erected a wall. Cresswell and Drury stood over the ball and Martin lined up the shot. The diminutive Scouser tapped it to the former lower league Red Devils target, the former Red Devil proper then laid it back to little Scouser who was in line with the middle of the goal and smacked it straight at once rated Alnwick. The prodigal keeper dived straight over it like a lemon much to our amazement. Town got a lead from a mixture of luck and farce – jubilation and suspicion are not easy emotional bedfellows I can tell you.

The half progressed with Barnsley’s width telling. Town had little luck in front of goal. Murphy had a poor first twenty. Often on the right with his back to goal he received many lumps forward and despatched them to opposition players with the touch of a Maths teacher. Unable to calculate the required distance to bisect defenders or find a colleague he frustrated and wasted valuable possession.

The first real effort from the Yorkshire tippy-tappy merchants was a tame shot from the edge of the box straight down Loach’s proverbial throat. It was hard to see us swallowing much more pressure as soon Cresswell was caught out and a weak cross easily batted away. The reunited partnership in the centre of defence were solid, unspectacular and under the cosh a lot.

A Barnsley corner was left by all, to fall to Davies at the back post, a poor touch looped upwards and a gathering Loach was blatantly pushed groundwards as the ball was put in the net. No goal. The home fans hadn’t been to Specsavers clearly as they unleashed much moaning and the whippets of war on a rubbish and officious ref.

Town meanwhile had precious little in the way of clear-cut chances. Niggly fouls earned freekicks which went way too far or were hit way too hard at onrushing heads. Half clearances were toyed with but never really sent to test to the dodgy Alnwick whose kicking was somewhere between Andy Marshall’s and Heather Mills’ bad side. Murphy picked up both the ball and his form on one occasion where Martin hooked a long punt from the edge of the Town area towards him. Cutting inside he found Scotland who trundled his way past defenders, molehills and across the area only to cut it back to an onrushing Martin who finished the move with a thunderous and wasteful effort.

Town maybe deserved their lead at half time, maybe not. Either way they had it and Tykes probably felt it was going to be one of those days at the hands of Town’s managerial Houdini.

In the second half Luongo crept onto the pitch in the place of Hyam, the locals didn’t bother to announce this and until the Australian picked up the ball ten minutes into the half neither did he. The game had swung to and fro but felt like a nil-nil gone awry. The players taking a satirical edge, as for all the threat of penetration no one quite knew exactly who was on top at any given time.

Barnsley now shooting towards us Spartan away fans earned had the sun and the ref’s fickle favour shining upon them as niggly fouls and their share of playacting saw a furious N’Daw booked. The man was right to be incensed but Jewell desperately clanking his chains hauled him off, fearing he’d lost his head. It was harsh on N’Daw who had swept up nicely all game and kept Barnsley pushed out wide. On came academy lingerer Ainsley.

The kid was presumably meant to be a straight swap. Now my science teacher may have been a pompous boob but he swore to me pressure makes diamonds. With this substitution Jewell confounded science as we watched his diamond break. Luongo and Ainsley floated around drifting from wing to the central roles with no rhyme or reason. The local boy looked utterly lost and didn’t have a clue what he was doing despite his best efforts. The swell of possession grew against Town as the whole side were reduced to flotsam and jetsam under the merest gust from Barnsley.

The hosts were rampant, Town merely rabbits in headlights as ball after ball eluded the back four. I’m not sure if Paul might have wished they were back in his hat. Mellis ran free to the byline but failed to produce any pyrotechnics. Davies forced two fine acrobatic saves from Loach, getting his feet to rewind themselves for a half volley on the turn, which was particularly exciting in a dull game.

Blue shirts formed a thinner and more ragged line across the 18 yard line as bookings were picked up and opposition players weren’t. A cross which sped barely two yards from the goal line was left by the whole side. Corners, crosses, deflections and half chances were all swatted away to varying degrees of success. It was amazing to watch such rigid and determined defence unfold. Chambers lost his man a lot. Higginbotham embodied everything you’d expect from a man who plyed his trade at Stoke for so long. Imperiously clouting kicks out into touch time and again like Will Carling in his prime. Barnsley are lucky that they had no Princesses in their side as the loanee produced hoofball, but not as we know it. Classy enough at times, he held us together at the back.

Murphy lolled about on the left wing, Martin sometimes on the right. Scotland was replaced by the hardworking but completely lost Ellington as the Waterloo impression was complete. Blues entrenched across the 18 yard line, we stubbornly took everything thrown at us and seemed to be content to merely survive. But it was not to be.

Cresswell, stranded on the wing was circumvented by a simple ball and the Barnsley winger cut inside and fired incisively past the heroic Loach. It was a fine goal worthy of the hosts’ dominance and doggedness, but it may well prove to be the liver punch to Jewell so many crave.

I’m not sure if the last half an hour saw a Town player cross the Rubicon of the half way line. We retreated, ran and scurried with vigour chasing ourselves as much as the ball like under 8s who’d had a half time fruit shoot too many.
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runaround added 10:20 - Sep 30

A point is a point and stops the rot but changes little with the bigger picture. An early goal boosted confidence and for a while we play OK but as in some earlier matches we allow the opposition to gain control and ended up hanging on for dear life. Higginbotham brings organisation to the defence which will help but we still dont look like scoring goals. Jewell finally plays Hyam but only for 45 mins. Injured he said, however I feel other players that he rates more may have not been subbed so easily, that however is just my opinion. With Hyam in the team we seem to play so much better, so when he went off I feared the worst.
Alex Mathie reportedly said that the squad just is n't good enough and he believes funds aren't there to improve it so all we can do is try to stay up. That is very worrying.
Despite the point yesterday we are still on the downward trend and I cannot see Jewell turning it around so the manager needs changing as does the direction the club is taking. Whilst getting the club ready for FFP rules is correct, the cuts are being made to quickly and if they continue will lead to relegation which would be financial suicide. We need a new manager with knowledge of young, hungry players who can motivate them into playing well for ITFC. Not a manager who whines how far Ipswich is away from anywhere! Jewell out
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AlexanderFields added 12:29 - Sep 30

I keep being told that professional footballers are well paid.
If so, I can't understand why so many of them are said to be hungry.
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greenkingtone added 15:25 - Sep 30

Very amusing Mullet!
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elmswellblue added 19:02 - Sep 30

We are continually told to give PJ a chance, but he has had 12 months to sort out our leaking defence, find a creative midfield player and look for the forward who can put away all the missing chances we get. I appreciate that with Paul Taylor being out injured for 6 weeks is bad luck but why the long wait to get a player into the club.

You only have to look at our leading goalscorers to show the lack of punch in our front line. The confidence has not only gone from the players but as fans we have watched with disbelief over the past 4 years. I fear to see how many will attend the Sky game this Saturday.

I have no confidence or faith in Jewell or Clegg, but who do we replace them with..............
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