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The conditions at Home Park were much better than last year but it was a similar outcome for Wanderers, who were beaten 2-0 by Plymouth Argyle.
Ian Evatt’s men were in control for large spells of the game but were taught a harsh lesson after failing to make the most of their chances.
The Whites are among the top scorers in the Football League since the turn of the year but have now scored just five goals in six league matches.
While they have had a tough start on paper, facing several sides who are expected to be up there come the end of the season, it is clear that Wanderers need to rediscover their ruthless streak in front of goal.
Evatt’s men started brightly against the Pilgrims and could have gone in front when Conor Bradley’s low drive whistled past the post.
Kieran Lee also failed to make the most of a big chance after some good work by Dion Charles, who caused the Plymouth backline countless problems during the opening 45 minutes.
But the hosts also looked dangerous going forward and it didn’t come as much of a surprise when the Whites were hit with a sucker punch from Niall Ennis 11 minutes before the break.
Ricardo Santos has come under pressure after his mistake against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and the Bolton skipper let Ennis get past him too easily.
The centre-back has arguably been Wanderers’ most important player over the last couple of years but is struggling to find consistency at the minute, which won’t be helped by his recent injury problems.
There were calls for Will Aimson to get more playing time from some after he impressed in the 1-0 win against Morecambe earlier this month while Santos was suspended.
But Evatt has previously spoken about the leadership qualities the skipper brings to the side, along with vice-captain Gethin Jones, and dropping him would be a big call.
The Whites struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages of the second half and Plymouth could have gone further in front through Brendan Galloway.
But the miss seemed to act as a wake-up call for Evatt’s men, who began to get into some promising areas.
The biggest chance fell to substitute Amadou Bakayoko, who somehow failed to convert from close range after getting on the end of Conor Bradley’s low cross.
It was a super stop by Mike Cooper to divert the ball onto the post – showing why he is gaining a reputation as one of the most promising shot stoppers in the Football League - but the goalkeeper should have had no chance.
Bakayoko was dynamite off the bench last season and had the best goals per minutes ratio in the entire squad despite dealing with several injury frustrations.
But the former Coventry man has so far struggled to replicate his prolific form from last term and will be disappointed not to have got his side back on level terms at a key stage in the game.
Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher even admitted Wanderers would probably have gone on to win the game had the ball hit the net, and it is clear to see why given the pressure they were putting the Plymouth backline under.
But the Whites were again punished when Ryan Hardie drilled home two minutes from time as they pushed bodies forwards in the hope of finding a late equaliser.
James Trafford probably should have done better, while there were also question marks over George Johnston.
Eight points is far from a disastrous return from Wanderers’ opening six league matches, and supporters knew they were in for a tough start once the fixture list was released.
But the main source of frustration for Evatt and company is the manner of the defeats against Sheffield Wednesday and now Plymouth. The Whites weren’t outclassed in either game and could have got much more had it not been for individual errors.
But that is the nature of League One – it is an unforgiving division and sides cannot afford to rest on their laurels at any stage.
One positive for Wanderers was Charles’ display, who has returned from injury with a point to prove. The Northern Ireland international was on target against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup and looked like the Whites’ best chance of scoring against the Pilgrims.
Charles’ strong work ethic and relentless pressing makes him a natural fit for the way Evatt wants his side to play, and he will be hoping to push on and contribute goals over the coming weeks and months.
Bradley also continues to look bright in the final third, although the Liverpool loanee wasn’t able to get at the Plymouth defence as much as he would have liked.
Aaron Morley looked comfortable despite being used in a slightly deeper midfield role and was able to demonstrate his excellent range of passing.
His midfield partnership with Kyle Dempsey has lots of potential, although it could be argued that Wanderers missed MJ Williams’ defensive qualities at Home Park.
But heading into Tuesday night’s Papa John’s Trophy clash with Crewe Alexandra at the UniBol, Evatt’s biggest dilemma seems to be in the final third.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has arguably been missed lately and the Iceland international is set for a short while longer on the sidelines.
There is also debate over whether Dapo Afolayan and Elias Kachunga are most effective in the number nine role, with both players comfortable in a variety of positions across the frontline.
Meanwhile, some supporters have called for Kieran Sadlier to get an opportunity in a more attacking role. The versatile wideman looked lively after coming off the bench for the final 15 minutes against the Pilgrims but has mostly been used as a wing-back in recent weeks.
Evatt has made it clear he rates Sadlier but struggles to find a place in the side for him at times – particularly against the bigger sides in the division, where his defensive capabilities would be put to the test more frequently.
August has been a tough month for Wanderers, but things aren’t about to get any easier in September with tricky fixtures against Charlton Athletic, MK Dons, Peterborough United and Portsmouth coming up.
But it is still early days and the Whites have the quality to beat anyone in this division on their day. Right now, they just need to find their shooting boots.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
The conditions at Home Park were much better than last year but it was a similar outcome for Wanderers, who were beaten 2-0 by Plymouth Argyle.
Ian Evatt’s men were in control for large spells of the game but were taught a harsh lesson after failing to make the most of their chances.
The Whites are among the top scorers in the Football League since the turn of the year but have now scored just five goals in six league matches.
While they have had a tough start on paper, facing several sides who are expected to be up there come the end of the season, it is clear that Wanderers need to rediscover their ruthless streak in front of goal.
Evatt’s men started brightly against the Pilgrims and could have gone in front when Conor Bradley’s low drive whistled past the post.
Kieran Lee also failed to make the most of a big chance after some good work by Dion Charles, who caused the Plymouth backline countless problems during the opening 45 minutes.
But the hosts also looked dangerous going forward and it didn’t come as much of a surprise when the Whites were hit with a sucker punch from Niall Ennis 11 minutes before the break.
Ricardo Santos has come under pressure after his mistake against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and the Bolton skipper let Ennis get past him too easily.
The centre-back has arguably been Wanderers’ most important player over the last couple of years but is struggling to find consistency at the minute, which won’t be helped by his recent injury problems.
There were calls for Will Aimson to get more playing time from some after he impressed in the 1-0 win against Morecambe earlier this month while Santos was suspended.
But Evatt has previously spoken about the leadership qualities the skipper brings to the side, along with vice-captain Gethin Jones, and dropping him would be a big call.
The Whites struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages of the second half and Plymouth could have gone further in front through Brendan Galloway.
But the miss seemed to act as a wake-up call for Evatt’s men, who began to get into some promising areas.
The biggest chance fell to substitute Amadou Bakayoko, who somehow failed to convert from close range after getting on the end of Conor Bradley’s low cross.
It was a super stop by Mike Cooper to divert the ball onto the post – showing why he is gaining a reputation as one of the most promising shot stoppers in the Football League - but the goalkeeper should have had no chance.
Bakayoko was dynamite off the bench last season and had the best goals per minutes ratio in the entire squad despite dealing with several injury frustrations.
But the former Coventry man has so far struggled to replicate his prolific form from last term and will be disappointed not to have got his side back on level terms at a key stage in the game.
Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher even admitted Wanderers would probably have gone on to win the game had the ball hit the net, and it is clear to see why given the pressure they were putting the Plymouth backline under.
But the Whites were again punished when Ryan Hardie drilled home two minutes from time as they pushed bodies forwards in the hope of finding a late equaliser.
James Trafford probably should have done better, while there were also question marks over George Johnston.
Eight points is far from a disastrous return from Wanderers’ opening six league matches, and supporters knew they were in for a tough start once the fixture list was released.
But the main source of frustration for Evatt and company is the manner of the defeats against Sheffield Wednesday and now Plymouth. The Whites weren’t outclassed in either game and could have got much more had it not been for individual errors.
But that is the nature of League One – it is an unforgiving division and sides cannot afford to rest on their laurels at any stage.
One positive for Wanderers was Charles’ display, who has returned from injury with a point to prove. The Northern Ireland international was on target against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup and looked like the Whites’ best chance of scoring against the Pilgrims.
Charles’ strong work ethic and relentless pressing makes him a natural fit for the way Evatt wants his side to play, and he will be hoping to push on and contribute goals over the coming weeks and months.
Bradley also continues to look bright in the final third, although the Liverpool loanee wasn’t able to get at the Plymouth defence as much as he would have liked.
Aaron Morley looked comfortable despite being used in a slightly deeper midfield role and was able to demonstrate his excellent range of passing.
His midfield partnership with Kyle Dempsey has lots of potential, although it could be argued that Wanderers missed MJ Williams’ defensive qualities at Home Park.
But heading into Tuesday night’s Papa John’s Trophy clash with Crewe Alexandra at the UniBol, Evatt’s biggest dilemma seems to be in the final third.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has arguably been missed lately and the Iceland international is set for a short while longer on the sidelines.
There is also debate over whether Dapo Afolayan and Elias Kachunga are most effective in the number nine role, with both players comfortable in a variety of positions across the frontline.
Meanwhile, some supporters have called for Kieran Sadlier to get an opportunity in a more attacking role. The versatile wideman looked lively after coming off the bench for the final 15 minutes against the Pilgrims but has mostly been used as a wing-back in recent weeks.
Evatt has made it clear he rates Sadlier but struggles to find a place in the side for him at times – particularly against the bigger sides in the division, where his defensive capabilities would be put to the test more frequently.
August has been a tough month for Wanderers, but things aren’t about to get any easier in September with tricky fixtures against Charlton Athletic, MK Dons, Peterborough United and Portsmouth coming up.
But it is still early days and the Whites have the quality to beat anyone in this division on their day. Right now, they just need to find their shooting boots.
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