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The Doombar deliberations at the pre-match Harvester assembly were as upbeat and positive as anything I’ve known for years.
Coming on the back of four straight league wins, which included two impressive away victories and a particularly satisfying result in the derby, spirits could not have been higher.
However, at Bolton we don’t handle optimism well and there was a cautious note that all good runs come to an end sometime. Also, could we handle any more injuries to key players?
That last point was tested immediately as Captain Marvel, Jay Spearing, pulled out during the warm-up.
Liam Trotter came in and the response was stunning, as we went three goals up inside the first 15 minutes.
The crowd did not know what to do as it is so long since we have had to cope with anything like that.
Smartphones were buzzing as we told the rest of the world what had happened and absent friends to stay away next time, just in case.
Although we didn’t score again, this was the best we’ve played for many a year.
This team is coming together. There is an understanding and partnerships developing throughout the team.
Mark Beevers and David Wheater remind me of Paul Jones and Big Sam Allardyce, a defensive rock formation you can build a team around.
Lawrie Wilson and Anthony Taylor get help from Sammy Ameobi and Josh Vela to defend and return the favour in supporting their attacks.
It’s basic stuff but it’s not been happening for so long at Bolton.
Wilson’s goal was right out of the Peter Nicholson school and particularly pleasing as it showed we can get goals from anywhere, which is what is going to be needed at times.
We’re not going to get carried away as we know there is still two thirds of the season to battle through.
There are injuries to cope with, suspensions to cover and the January transfer window to survive.
We still need some confirmation of financial stability being attained, but the building blocks seem to be in place.
There will be the odd hiccup along the way, but this run seems sustainable after all the hard work put in by Phil Parkinson, his backroom team and the players.
Clocks might have officially gone back on Saturday night to end British Summer Time, but I think the clock is being rolled back at the Macron for a sunnier future.
Source
Coming on the back of four straight league wins, which included two impressive away victories and a particularly satisfying result in the derby, spirits could not have been higher.
However, at Bolton we don’t handle optimism well and there was a cautious note that all good runs come to an end sometime. Also, could we handle any more injuries to key players?
That last point was tested immediately as Captain Marvel, Jay Spearing, pulled out during the warm-up.
Liam Trotter came in and the response was stunning, as we went three goals up inside the first 15 minutes.
The crowd did not know what to do as it is so long since we have had to cope with anything like that.
Smartphones were buzzing as we told the rest of the world what had happened and absent friends to stay away next time, just in case.
Although we didn’t score again, this was the best we’ve played for many a year.
This team is coming together. There is an understanding and partnerships developing throughout the team.
Mark Beevers and David Wheater remind me of Paul Jones and Big Sam Allardyce, a defensive rock formation you can build a team around.
Lawrie Wilson and Anthony Taylor get help from Sammy Ameobi and Josh Vela to defend and return the favour in supporting their attacks.
It’s basic stuff but it’s not been happening for so long at Bolton.
Wilson’s goal was right out of the Peter Nicholson school and particularly pleasing as it showed we can get goals from anywhere, which is what is going to be needed at times.
We’re not going to get carried away as we know there is still two thirds of the season to battle through.
There are injuries to cope with, suspensions to cover and the January transfer window to survive.
We still need some confirmation of financial stability being attained, but the building blocks seem to be in place.
There will be the odd hiccup along the way, but this run seems sustainable after all the hard work put in by Phil Parkinson, his backroom team and the players.
Clocks might have officially gone back on Saturday night to end British Summer Time, but I think the clock is being rolled back at the Macron for a sunnier future.
Source