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AS the seconds ticked down on Carrow Road’s scoreboard above the Norwich goal, so did belief among Bolton’s hardy travelling fans that this would not be a wasted trip.
“We are staying up!” chanted the few hundred who had braved five hours on the motorway – and given what they saw from their team in the second half, who can argue?
Phil Parkinson’s team won’t win awards for style. They are scrapping and clawing their way to survival by any means necessary; but they are getting there. And what an achievement that would be.
Had Norwich been more clinical there is little question the journey back north would have been much less pleasurable for all involved. Still studded with Premier League talent and with a gem of a playmaker in James Maddison, the Norfolk men created and wasted chance after chance in the first 45 minutes.
If the onslaught had continued, there was only one winner. But Parkinson’s clever shift of formation after the break halted Norwich in their tracks, giving Wanderers hope which was reciprocated in the corner of the ground where a point was now being celebrated like a victory.
To pin this entirely on the home side’s profligacy would be wrong, however, because there were some big performances in Bolton shirts which simply did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Captain Darren Pratley, back for his first start since fracturing his leg on New Year’s Day, summed up his committed shift with a thunderous challenge in stoppage time which put his recently-healed leg to the test.
Without the suspended Karl Henry’s know-how in the middle of the park, it was vital Pratley made his presence felt. And while Harrison Reed may dispute that he was a little over-zealous at times, the skipper led by ruthless example, growing into the game after a thankless first half.
The same could be said for Reece Burke, who found himself in an unaccustomed midfield role marshalling Norwich’s star man, James Maddison. This was an earthy education he is unlikely to get in the Premier League with glimpses of action for West Ham.
The most incredible transformation of the day, however, was that of Sammy Ameobi. Until now as chilled out customer as you’d wish to find – his rangy limbs and silky dribbling skills now well-known to the Wanderers fans. But the snarling winger snapping at the heels of Norwich’s attack and at the decisions of referee Keith Stroud was something else altogether.
Home boss Daniel Farke complained after the game that Wanderers had wasted time, although I believe the modern description is ‘game management’.
The German head coach was sent off for the first time in his professional career in stoppage time for a comical tantrum after the linesman had spotted a foul throw.
That Wanderers had got him so hot under the collar will please Parkinson and his staff, who know full well they have to seize any advantage possible if they are going to complete this miraculous escape and keep a team which cost exactly nothing away from relegation.
Any number of Norwich players could have calmed their manager’s nerves with a bit more accuracy in their first-half finishing. Norwich passed at will, which was expected, and with Maddison pulling the strings they looked capable of scoring with a flick of a switch.
After Maddison had shook Ben Alnwick’s post in the 11th minute, ex-Blackburn defender Grant Hanley missed a free header eight yards out.
David Wheater made a goal-saving challenge on Josh Murphy and Alnwick was called upon to make a fine reaction save from Nelson Olivera.
The Wanderers keeper has been in rude form, and moments later he came to his side’s rescue again, blocking Leitner’s shot from close range after he had been played in on goal by Olivera’s clever flick.
The brief time spent in Canaries’ territory brought little joy for the Whites. Adam Le Fondre might have done better with a glancing header and Ameobi volleyed wide after a spot of juggling on the edge of the box – but home fans were rubbing their hands in expectation, as well as to keep warm in the plunging temperatures.
Parkinson shifted piece by piece to a 4-5-1 in the second half, bringing Jon Flanagan on for his first appearance since joining on loan from Liverpool. The one-time England international showed his class with one sumptuous cross-field pass and showed a willingness to push forward too.
Wanderers had a few nervy moments, Maddison’s cross deflecting off Beevers and inches wide of the post, and Alnwick almost paying the price for a rare handling error.
The noise among the home fans was now one of frustration, however, and it was Bolton looking the more likely to win it.
Sub Aaron Wilbraham teed one chance up for Jem Karacan which was deflected narrowly over the bar – and the big target man almost grabbed a goal he so desperately craves when the roles were reversed a few minutes later. His hurried shot ended up high in the stands, killing some precious seconds, if nothing else.
Norwich had scored a few late goals in recent weeks but Farke’s late outburst took the sting out of injury time and enabled wily types like Wilbraham and Pratley to seek the corner flag at every opportunity.
This isn’t the Olympic figure skating and Wanderers were not being marked on artistic merit. If this is the way survival is to be won, then so be it. The achievement will taste no less sweet.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/16046458.BIG_MATCH_VERDICT__Norwich_City_0_Bolton_Wanderers_0/
“We are staying up!” chanted the few hundred who had braved five hours on the motorway – and given what they saw from their team in the second half, who can argue?
Phil Parkinson’s team won’t win awards for style. They are scrapping and clawing their way to survival by any means necessary; but they are getting there. And what an achievement that would be.
Had Norwich been more clinical there is little question the journey back north would have been much less pleasurable for all involved. Still studded with Premier League talent and with a gem of a playmaker in James Maddison, the Norfolk men created and wasted chance after chance in the first 45 minutes.
If the onslaught had continued, there was only one winner. But Parkinson’s clever shift of formation after the break halted Norwich in their tracks, giving Wanderers hope which was reciprocated in the corner of the ground where a point was now being celebrated like a victory.
To pin this entirely on the home side’s profligacy would be wrong, however, because there were some big performances in Bolton shirts which simply did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Captain Darren Pratley, back for his first start since fracturing his leg on New Year’s Day, summed up his committed shift with a thunderous challenge in stoppage time which put his recently-healed leg to the test.
Without the suspended Karl Henry’s know-how in the middle of the park, it was vital Pratley made his presence felt. And while Harrison Reed may dispute that he was a little over-zealous at times, the skipper led by ruthless example, growing into the game after a thankless first half.
The same could be said for Reece Burke, who found himself in an unaccustomed midfield role marshalling Norwich’s star man, James Maddison. This was an earthy education he is unlikely to get in the Premier League with glimpses of action for West Ham.
The most incredible transformation of the day, however, was that of Sammy Ameobi. Until now as chilled out customer as you’d wish to find – his rangy limbs and silky dribbling skills now well-known to the Wanderers fans. But the snarling winger snapping at the heels of Norwich’s attack and at the decisions of referee Keith Stroud was something else altogether.
Home boss Daniel Farke complained after the game that Wanderers had wasted time, although I believe the modern description is ‘game management’.
The German head coach was sent off for the first time in his professional career in stoppage time for a comical tantrum after the linesman had spotted a foul throw.
That Wanderers had got him so hot under the collar will please Parkinson and his staff, who know full well they have to seize any advantage possible if they are going to complete this miraculous escape and keep a team which cost exactly nothing away from relegation.
Any number of Norwich players could have calmed their manager’s nerves with a bit more accuracy in their first-half finishing. Norwich passed at will, which was expected, and with Maddison pulling the strings they looked capable of scoring with a flick of a switch.
After Maddison had shook Ben Alnwick’s post in the 11th minute, ex-Blackburn defender Grant Hanley missed a free header eight yards out.
David Wheater made a goal-saving challenge on Josh Murphy and Alnwick was called upon to make a fine reaction save from Nelson Olivera.
The Wanderers keeper has been in rude form, and moments later he came to his side’s rescue again, blocking Leitner’s shot from close range after he had been played in on goal by Olivera’s clever flick.
The brief time spent in Canaries’ territory brought little joy for the Whites. Adam Le Fondre might have done better with a glancing header and Ameobi volleyed wide after a spot of juggling on the edge of the box – but home fans were rubbing their hands in expectation, as well as to keep warm in the plunging temperatures.
Parkinson shifted piece by piece to a 4-5-1 in the second half, bringing Jon Flanagan on for his first appearance since joining on loan from Liverpool. The one-time England international showed his class with one sumptuous cross-field pass and showed a willingness to push forward too.
Wanderers had a few nervy moments, Maddison’s cross deflecting off Beevers and inches wide of the post, and Alnwick almost paying the price for a rare handling error.
The noise among the home fans was now one of frustration, however, and it was Bolton looking the more likely to win it.
Sub Aaron Wilbraham teed one chance up for Jem Karacan which was deflected narrowly over the bar – and the big target man almost grabbed a goal he so desperately craves when the roles were reversed a few minutes later. His hurried shot ended up high in the stands, killing some precious seconds, if nothing else.
Norwich had scored a few late goals in recent weeks but Farke’s late outburst took the sting out of injury time and enabled wily types like Wilbraham and Pratley to seek the corner flag at every opportunity.
This isn’t the Olympic figure skating and Wanderers were not being marked on artistic merit. If this is the way survival is to be won, then so be it. The achievement will taste no less sweet.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/16046458.BIG_MATCH_VERDICT__Norwich_City_0_Bolton_Wanderers_0/