Sheffield Utd 0-1 Bolton

Another defeat looming here can't see past a 3-1 defeat

Wanderers could be without FOUR first teamers at Sheffield United

WANDERERS will be forced into a reshuffle at Sheffield United after injury and illness bit hard into Phil Parkinson’s squad yesterday.
Sammy Ameobi sat out of training with a swollen knee and is considering a major doubt at Bramall Lane.

Likewise, wingers Will Buckley (thigh) and Craig Noone (flu) are not expected to face the Blades.

Defender Andy Taylor – who picked up a calf strain at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day – will also sit out, replaced by Everton loanee Antonee Robinson.

Faced with some big selection issues, Parkinson said his task has been made easier by what he has seen on the training ground at Lostock over the past few days.

“We might have to make changes but I have been really pleased with the attitude of the lads, so there might be a few opportunities,” he told The Bolton News.

“We have said all along that we wanted to be in the mix by the start of the January window and we have two games now against Sheffield United and Hull City to make sure we do that.

“I need the lads to rise to that challenge. We have had a tremendous spirit within the squad and even though we haven’t had it our own way in the first half of the season they have stuck together.”

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ALF finally makes the team, due to Ameobi's absence. Morais as well! Hope they make a claim to be playing each week

I think it's safe to say Parky doesn't fancy this game. If we lose today but beat Hull he'll get away with it.

If we get dicked today and Monday he'll be on gardening leave before the Christmas decorations come down.

It looks ominous. 
No Ameobi.
ALF hasn't scored in his last 16 games.
We haven't had a clean sheet at Bramall Lane since 1970 when Sir Nat was manager.
We last won there in 1999.
The SAM analysis gives us a 14% chance of a win.

It all points to Madine scoring the winner. Yeah.

Having a problem working out the system with the team picked.

Madine and Alf up front and Alnwick in goal obviously then where do everybody else fit in?

Little on the bench and three centre backs selected so I guess he's going three at the back?

So wingbacks must be Robinson and Morais - if so that leaves Henry and Pratley as holding midfield with Cullen doing everything else?

Also no Vela - injured or rested?

Or is he playing four at the back (two up front) with a centre back playing right back (leaving a right back on the bench) with Morais on the right, Henry and Patley holding and Cullen on the left???

This side looks unbalanced to my way of thinking - maybe he's playing a diamond in midfield - but I don't know if Cullen plays on the left with presumably Pratley attacking.

Why is Vela not playing?

Got me baffled, no doubt all will be revealed shortly.

COYWM

Sluffy wrote:Having a problem working out the system with the team picked.

Madine and Alf up front and Alnwick in goal obviously then where do everybody else fit in?

Little on the bench and three centre backs selected so I guess he's going three at the back?

So wingbacks must be Robinson and Morais - if so that leaves Henry and Pratley as holding midfield with Cullen doing everything else?

Also no Vela - injured or rested?

Or is he playing four at the back (two up front) with a centre back playing right back (leaving a right back on the bench) with Morais on the right, Henry and Patley holding and Cullen on the left???

This side looks unbalanced to my way of thinking - maybe he's playing a diamond in midfield - but I don't know if Cullen plays on the left with presumably Pratley attacking.

Why is Vela not playing?

Got me baffled, no doubt all will be revealed shortly.

COYWM

I think Vela's radar was bust against Boro as we kept hearing his passing was all over the shop, however he's as good as we've got in midfield and I don't see how dropping him will help his confidence. Maybe Parky has seen something in training and/or wants to give Josh a reminder he is competing for his place? 
You're right that it could be any one of several systems, but at least it looks like Parky is trying something different. Must have been reading some of the comments on Nuts about having a plan B and adapting to each game.
Should be interesting even if we get battered.

Very attack minded team- but we look paper thin in midfield. I suspect a hammering- we'll be steam rollered through the middle.

What a win!

wanderlust wrote:It looks ominous. 
No Ameobi.
ALF hasn't scored in his last 16 games.
We haven't had a clean sheet at Bramall Lane since 1970 when Sir Nat was manager.
We last won there in 1999.
The SAM analysis gives us a 14% chance of a win.

It all points to Madine scoring the winner. Yeah.

And so it turned out. Somehow.
Bring on Hull!

Report: Sheffield United 0-1 Bolton Wanderers

Gary M first half strike proved to be enough as Bolton Wanderers picked up a priceless away victory against Sheffield United.

It was a determined and resolute display by Phil Parkinson’s men who played with pride and passion throughout the contest as they ensured they ended 2017 on a high.

Team News

The Wanderers made a total of five changes from the side that lost to Middlesbrough on Boxing Day with Adam Le Fondre, Reece Burke, Josh Cullen, Filipe Morais and Antonee Robinson all returning to the starting XI. Sammy Ameobi, Andrew Taylor were ruled out with injuries and Craig Noone was left out after having flu symptoms,  while Mark Little and Josh Vela dropped to the bench.

With the changes came a switch in the system with Wanderers returning to three centre backs and two wing backs, Karl Henry, Darren Pratley and Cullen in the middle with Madine and Le Fondre up top.

First Half

Bolton Wanderers didn’t waste any time in settling into their new shape and appeared comfortable and at ease during the opening moments of the contest.

Gary Madine, with Adam Le Fondre, alongside him was busy as ever and the Wanderers wing-backs, Filipe Morais and Antonee Robinson, were looking to get early crosses in from either flank.

The hosts, by contrast, were giving the ball away cheaply in midfield and somewhat lacking in rhythm.

The visitors had an industry about them and a determination to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

And that they did thanks to Madine who prodded home from close range to convert a splendid low centre from Robinson who was causing mayhem with his pace over on the left flank.

It was a perfect response from the Wanderers Number 14 who was jeered throughout by the Blades faithful, courtesy of his Sheffield Wednesday connections.

The Blades then survived a strong penalty claim after Madine was pushed to the ground shortly afterwards. The referee, Stephen Martin, was unmoved and ignored the vehement appeals.

A rare opportunity fell United’s way later in the half when a loose ball found its way to substitute George Baldock, but a strong hand from Ben Alnwick preserved Wanderers’ lead at the expense of a corner.

The hosts stepped up their attacking threat and Alnwick once again came to Wanderers’ rescue after he got his body in the way of a Leon Clarke effort after the big striker sprung the offside trap to go one-on-one with the ‘keeper.

Second Half

United started the half in the ascendancy determined to restore parity but Wanderers were resolute.

Madine had his name taken by the referee not long after the restart for a foul on Richard Stearman, which seemed a little harsh to say the least.

The Wanderers striker was always at the centre of attention and an inventive flick created a chance for himself when he tried to cyurl the ball around Simon Moore only for the Blades shot-stopper to parry it away.

Clayton Donaldson came on for the ineffective Billy Sharp has Blades boss Chris Wilder attemped to seize the initiative his team found themselves in.

Parkinson made a change of his own shortly afterwards with Little coming on for Morais.

The momentum was still with the hosts though and not for the first time Alnwick got down brilliantly to keep out Baldock who looked certain to equalise.

Adam Armstrong came on for the hard working Le Fondre after 75 minutes with Wanderers still looking solid but hopefully looking to increase their lead.

Wanderers’ final substitution of the contest game with eight minutes to go with Josh Vela coming on for the outstanding Cullen.

Despite their being six minutes of added time, Wanderers hung on to claim their first away victory of the campaign and end 2017 on a high.

Full Time

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Great win but really interesting to win without Vela And Sammy. If we beat Hull we are in a position we all thought beyond us in September. Well done Whites. other scores could have been kinder.

Great win, especially as Sunderland and Birmingham won - but with Hull only drawing it means we can leapfrog them on Monday. Who'd have thought that a couple of months ago.

And Barnsley are right in the shit now, they play at Sunderland on Monday and then against Wolves & Villa.

wessy wrote:Great win but really interesting to win without Vela And Sammy.

Vela has done jack shit since he came back. Ameobi is a luxury we can't afford. Plays well every 5 or 6 games. He's Mark Davies with a better haircut.

Glad that Parky finally tried something different, this shape suits us better if Pratley and Henry are on form.

A great result! looking forward to Nat's Behind enemy lines to commemorate this victory

BoltonTillIDie wrote:A great result!  looking forward to Nat's Behind enemy lines to commemorate this victory

Yes, it would be a nice treat.

Great result which no one was expecting, will Parky stick with this formation and line up for the Hull game?