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It had been a bad week for us, we decided in our Doombar discussions in the Harvester, with the assassination of Big Sam in the press, disappointing outings against Bradford and Rochdale and the news of Ivan Klasnic’s health problems.
We badly needed a lift and we were hoping the Oxford game provided it.
How wrong we were to pin our hopes on the pitch. This was the most pathetic display to date with not a single shot on target and one half-chance created which James Henry sent over the bar. The confidence seems to have evaporated with players preferring to go out wide instead of getting into the box, where they could do some damage. Everyone wants to play the extra pass instead of taking it on and having a go. The defence aside, the team are playing like strangers.
The honeymoon is well and truly over for Phil Parkinson and his team. The bright start in the first four matches raised unrealistic hopes but at least gave us a cushion. I dread to think of where we would be without those 12 points. The task ahead is horrendous but it’s not Mission Impossible. We have lost about 30 players since the end of last season and another half-dozen to various injuries. The majority of the players and management only joined us this season. It’s going to take time and patience, something in increasingly short supply with some fans. We have made a start by building from the back, just like Big Sam did in the early days. This has come at the expense of creativity and puts a far greater emphasis on taking what few chances do come our way. I’m convinced we will get through the bad times and start to rise again but it will be later rather than sooner.
The fans do have a big part to play. There has been a renewal of spirit this season with increasing numbers going to away games. The home crowds have held up remarkably well. The last time we were in Division Three 5,000 was a good crowd. We need to stick together. Rome wasn’t built in a day and Bolton Wanderers will not be rebuilt overnight. Best wishes Ivan.
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We badly needed a lift and we were hoping the Oxford game provided it.
How wrong we were to pin our hopes on the pitch. This was the most pathetic display to date with not a single shot on target and one half-chance created which James Henry sent over the bar. The confidence seems to have evaporated with players preferring to go out wide instead of getting into the box, where they could do some damage. Everyone wants to play the extra pass instead of taking it on and having a go. The defence aside, the team are playing like strangers.
The honeymoon is well and truly over for Phil Parkinson and his team. The bright start in the first four matches raised unrealistic hopes but at least gave us a cushion. I dread to think of where we would be without those 12 points. The task ahead is horrendous but it’s not Mission Impossible. We have lost about 30 players since the end of last season and another half-dozen to various injuries. The majority of the players and management only joined us this season. It’s going to take time and patience, something in increasingly short supply with some fans. We have made a start by building from the back, just like Big Sam did in the early days. This has come at the expense of creativity and puts a far greater emphasis on taking what few chances do come our way. I’m convinced we will get through the bad times and start to rise again but it will be later rather than sooner.
The fans do have a big part to play. There has been a renewal of spirit this season with increasing numbers going to away games. The home crowds have held up remarkably well. The last time we were in Division Three 5,000 was a good crowd. We need to stick together. Rome wasn’t built in a day and Bolton Wanderers will not be rebuilt overnight. Best wishes Ivan.
Source