Home
Ian Evatt described it as the best performance of his four-game reign but there has been a familiar flutter of concern among those fans who watched from home. Here’s a few things we gleaned from Wanderers’ 2-0 defeat at Colchester United.
SWITCH OFF
Wanderers created some good chances in the first half, had more of the ball in the final third, looked dangerous out wide and were going in at half time in decent spirits. The last thing they needed was a mass switch off from a set piece.
It looked as if Ricardo Santos had lost his man from the Colchester corner, which gave Tom Eastman a simple header from six yards out.
Lapses of concentration have cost Wanderers in the last few games – and they should really be making opponents work harder for goals than this.
SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
Ian Evatt had said he knew what was wrong in last week’s defeat to Forest Green, and how to fix it. His plan, it transpired, was to switch to a back four and place less emphasis on his centre-backs to be launching attacks.
In that sense, it worked well. Jak Hickman linked regularly with Gethin Jones down the right, Liam Gordon with Nathan Delfouneso on the left. Neither Ali Crawford nor Eoin Doyle will feel they got into the game enough – but there is no question Wanderers looked more potent than they had seven days earlier.
It can be viewed as a big concession from Evatt that two games into the new season he has switched from the system which was presumably schooled in the previous eight weeks on the training ground.
And it certainly gives centre-backs like George Taft, Harry Brockbank and (the injured) Reiss Greenidge one less spot for which to fight.
But it looks as though Evatt was pleased with the experiment, if not the final scoreline. So we can probably expect a repeat when Newport County come to town next weekend.
JEEPERS KEEPERS
Billy Crellin has been pretty much faultless in the opening few games – so we can perhaps forgive the rush of blood which gifted Colchester their second goal.
He has made a great double save in the first half but had little else to worry him.
As his defenders have also found out recently, concentration can’t be turned on and off like a tap.
ALL RIGHT
Jak Hickman was praised on his debut in the EFL Trophy and this was another step in the right direction.
Guided by the more experienced Gethin Jones, the former Coventry City youngster showed bags of energy to get into some good positions on the right, and put a few decent crosses into the box.
Jones also showed more attacking intent, checking inside on a couple of occasions in the first half to drive towards the penalty area.
If Ian Evatt is drawing encouragement from any aspect of the performance, the right flank will be at the top of the list.
DEPTH CHARGE
With Antoni Sarcevic and Shaun Miller out injured, the attacking options on the bench looked limited for Ian Evatt as he tried to get his team back into the game.
Ronan Darcy remained an unused sub but Finlay Lockett, who last year had become the second-youngest player in Bolton’s history behind Ray Parry, got his chance late on.
After missing out on David Ball Wanderers clearly need something else to boost their goal threat, a creative type who can play up front, or in the number 10 role.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
SWITCH OFF
Wanderers created some good chances in the first half, had more of the ball in the final third, looked dangerous out wide and were going in at half time in decent spirits. The last thing they needed was a mass switch off from a set piece.
It looked as if Ricardo Santos had lost his man from the Colchester corner, which gave Tom Eastman a simple header from six yards out.
Lapses of concentration have cost Wanderers in the last few games – and they should really be making opponents work harder for goals than this.
SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
Ian Evatt had said he knew what was wrong in last week’s defeat to Forest Green, and how to fix it. His plan, it transpired, was to switch to a back four and place less emphasis on his centre-backs to be launching attacks.
In that sense, it worked well. Jak Hickman linked regularly with Gethin Jones down the right, Liam Gordon with Nathan Delfouneso on the left. Neither Ali Crawford nor Eoin Doyle will feel they got into the game enough – but there is no question Wanderers looked more potent than they had seven days earlier.
It can be viewed as a big concession from Evatt that two games into the new season he has switched from the system which was presumably schooled in the previous eight weeks on the training ground.
And it certainly gives centre-backs like George Taft, Harry Brockbank and (the injured) Reiss Greenidge one less spot for which to fight.
But it looks as though Evatt was pleased with the experiment, if not the final scoreline. So we can probably expect a repeat when Newport County come to town next weekend.
JEEPERS KEEPERS
Billy Crellin has been pretty much faultless in the opening few games – so we can perhaps forgive the rush of blood which gifted Colchester their second goal.
He has made a great double save in the first half but had little else to worry him.
As his defenders have also found out recently, concentration can’t be turned on and off like a tap.
ALL RIGHT
Jak Hickman was praised on his debut in the EFL Trophy and this was another step in the right direction.
Guided by the more experienced Gethin Jones, the former Coventry City youngster showed bags of energy to get into some good positions on the right, and put a few decent crosses into the box.
Jones also showed more attacking intent, checking inside on a couple of occasions in the first half to drive towards the penalty area.
If Ian Evatt is drawing encouragement from any aspect of the performance, the right flank will be at the top of the list.
DEPTH CHARGE
With Antoni Sarcevic and Shaun Miller out injured, the attacking options on the bench looked limited for Ian Evatt as he tried to get his team back into the game.
Ronan Darcy remained an unused sub but Finlay Lockett, who last year had become the second-youngest player in Bolton’s history behind Ray Parry, got his chance late on.
After missing out on David Ball Wanderers clearly need something else to boost their goal threat, a creative type who can play up front, or in the number 10 role.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]