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AFTER getting stung by the Brentford Bees last time out, we ploughed our way through the wintry weather to the Macron, to face the Tractor Boys from Ipswich.
The Doombar deliberations were more about off-field activities and what could happen in the remaining 11 days of the transfer window.
It was important to get a result against Mick McCarthy’s men to keep us up with the relegation pack, ahead of our enforced winter break.
Having said that, a ‘result against Ipswich’ is almost an oxymoron as they have a great league record against us in recent times.
Phil Parkinson welcomed back Karl Henry and surprised us with the inclusion of Dorian Dervite.
We had all been led to believe Dervite was surplus to requirements, but it was rumoured Mark Beevers and Harry Charsley were struggling with Aussie flu.
As if it is not enough they regained the Ashes, the Aussies have also sent us their flu!
It was always going to be a tough, uncompromising game after Ipswich set their stall out by getting physical with Sammy Ameobi in the opening minutes.
Their central defenders gave Gary Madine similar treatment for the remainder of the match.
But the Wanderers centre-forward had the last laugh as he put us one up with a well-taken goal.
Unfortunately, one goal is usually not enough and Ipswich snatched an undeserved point when ex-Blackburn player Joe Garner equalised.
We had several chances to seal it but we did not take them and paid the price.
Therein lies the problem and the biggest worry at the moment.
Only Madine is scoring. Last season’s top three goalscorers have got one goal between them this time.
Madine is an obvious target for other clubs and if an exceptional offer comes in for him before the end of the month, it is difficult to see how we can hang on to him in our present financial circumstances.
If we cannot unload some of our unwanted players and get them off the wage bill, I worry about what will constitute an exceptional offer.
Every player has his price and no one is irreplaceable. But short term, it would be a massive blow to our chances of staying up.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15887551.ALAN_HOUGHTON__39_S_FAN__39_S_VIEW__Wanderers_1_Ipswich_Town_1/?ref=mr&lp=7
The Doombar deliberations were more about off-field activities and what could happen in the remaining 11 days of the transfer window.
It was important to get a result against Mick McCarthy’s men to keep us up with the relegation pack, ahead of our enforced winter break.
Having said that, a ‘result against Ipswich’ is almost an oxymoron as they have a great league record against us in recent times.
Phil Parkinson welcomed back Karl Henry and surprised us with the inclusion of Dorian Dervite.
We had all been led to believe Dervite was surplus to requirements, but it was rumoured Mark Beevers and Harry Charsley were struggling with Aussie flu.
As if it is not enough they regained the Ashes, the Aussies have also sent us their flu!
It was always going to be a tough, uncompromising game after Ipswich set their stall out by getting physical with Sammy Ameobi in the opening minutes.
Their central defenders gave Gary Madine similar treatment for the remainder of the match.
But the Wanderers centre-forward had the last laugh as he put us one up with a well-taken goal.
Unfortunately, one goal is usually not enough and Ipswich snatched an undeserved point when ex-Blackburn player Joe Garner equalised.
We had several chances to seal it but we did not take them and paid the price.
Therein lies the problem and the biggest worry at the moment.
Only Madine is scoring. Last season’s top three goalscorers have got one goal between them this time.
Madine is an obvious target for other clubs and if an exceptional offer comes in for him before the end of the month, it is difficult to see how we can hang on to him in our present financial circumstances.
If we cannot unload some of our unwanted players and get them off the wage bill, I worry about what will constitute an exceptional offer.
Every player has his price and no one is irreplaceable. But short term, it would be a massive blow to our chances of staying up.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15887551.ALAN_HOUGHTON__39_S_FAN__39_S_VIEW__Wanderers_1_Ipswich_Town_1/?ref=mr&lp=7