Man of the Match - Norwich

Marc Iles view -

WANDERERS (3-5-2)

BEN ALNWICK…7 Two important saves in the first half, one spill in the second, but continued the good form which has been a feature of recent weeks for Wanderers.
DORIAN DERVITE…7 Steady Eddie. Dervite struggled slightly against Norwich’s pace and movement early on – but he wasn’t alone. Massive improvement in the second half.
DAVID WHEATER…7 Made one goal-saving challenge in front of goal on Murphy but was sacrificed midway through the second period as Wanderers moved to 4-5-1.
MARK BEEVERS…7.5 Much improved from the big centre-back who, like Dervite, looked more settled once Phil Parkinson changed shape.
FIL MORAIS…8 Swapped to the left wing in the second half and really caused problems for the Norwich back four with his energy up and down the line. Delivery on set pieces was good all afternoon.
REECE BURKE…7 Given a tall order in midfield against the enterprising Maddison but the West Ham loanee learns fast, and grew into the role.
JEM KARACAN…7.5 Great to see Karacan back playing with a smile on his face. By-passed early on – but dug deep to get Bolton on top after the break.
DARREN PRATLEY…8 Two fractures in two years – but you get nothing other than complete commitment from the captain. Built for this type of battle.
ANTONEE ROBINSON…7 Nervy start but the Everton loanee never lets his head drop. Ended up linking well with Morais down the left.
SAMMY AMEOBI…8 Used to be a chilled-out fella – but this fire-breathing, ref-snapping winger is another matter altogether. More evidence he’s growing as a player at Bolton. MOM.
ADAM LE FONDRE…7 Thankless running in the first half and perhaps could have done better with the one header which came his way – but very much part of the team effort.

Subs: Wilbraham 68 (for Le Fondre) – Ensured Wanderers kept the ball in the right areas and could have capped off a decent show with a goal. 6
Flanagan 68 (for Wheater) – One classy cross-field pass and some surging runs down the right. Promise of more to come? 6
Derik 81 (for Burke) – Got straight up to speed and made some important clearances. 6

Not used: Howard, Taylor, Buckley, Clough.

Norwich (4-1-4-1): Gunn 6; Reed 8, Zimmermann 6, Hanley 6, Lewis 7; Tettey 7; Hernandez 7, Leitner 7, Maddison 8, Murphy 6; Olivera 6.

Subs: Srbenny 77 (for Hernandez), Hoolahan 81 (for Tettey)

Not used: McGovern, Pinto, Vrancic, Watkins, Raggett.

Referee: Keith Stroud 6
Attendance: 25,475
Atmosphere: 7
Entertainment: 7

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I want whatever Iles is having. Ameobi seemed to be missing from the game. If I hadn't of looked at the team sheet, I wouldn't have known he was playing.

I thought Ameobi was excellent although he played a much more defensive role than usual, but his work rate was fantastic and his commitment was only matched by Pratley who was perhaps a little overexuberant at times - he was a right dirty bastard and it totally threw Norwich. Having Ameobi tracking back and putting tackles in isnt by any means ideal but needs much and he did a great job of it. 
Flanagan looked class when he came on and Burke did a classy job as a makeshift DM.
Watching the game felt like trench warfare though as we had little or no possession especially in their half, but somehow we hung on.
We picked up 5 bookings altogether BTW which may bite us in the bum further down the line.