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To those of us who watched from a safe distance in the press box, what we later termed the “Madejski Massacre” was a surreal experience.
After the worst start to a season in 111 years there had been a few flickering signs of promise in Wanderers during the closing months of 2013.
Wins against Bournemouth, Millwall and Watford suggested Dougie Freedman’s team were starting to get their act together but alas, rock bottom had not been reached.
Never before or since have we seen a Bolton team so hopelessly out-classed as they were on the pitch at Reading on the afternoon of January 18, 2014.
At half time, 4-0 down, there was a vaguely delirious state among the local press contingent as we queued for soup; a not-know-whether-to-laugh-or-cry moment.
The second half was spent thumbing through books and scanning websites, trying to put this horrible score-line into some context.
And the goals didn’t stop, although Adam Le Fondre at least declared at a hat-trick. Reading added three more and had it not been for Andy Lonergan’s stubbornness, double figures were looming.
Remarkably, captain Jay Spearing accepted an offer to come out and explain – something he did, respectfully, in one continuous stream of consciousness, lasting little more than a minute.
The words of the manager would have more far-reaching consequences.
Eyes bloodshot, presumably from rage, Freedman started by apologising to those who had made the trip. Almost unprompted, he then launched into a verbal attack on his players which hung around like a cloud until he left his job some 258 days later.
“You are seeing players who are frankly not good enough for the football club,” he said, gazing into the distance. “I have to work with these players and train with them until I can get recruitment in.
“I know I have been here 14-15 months but there is still a nucleus of players who are simply not good enough for the football club. And you can’t move them on because football players these days earn that much money, you can’t move them, so you have to work with them.”
That same phrase – “not good enough” – was uttered in his final game at Fulham in October and considering Wanderers’ unremarkable form, it was hard to argue.
But Freedman’s statement, made in the heat of battle it must be remembered, holds little weight when you look at the numbers ever since.
Of the players who started against Reading, six – Andy Lonergan, Matt Mills, Tim Ream, Neil Danns, Darren Pratley and Chung-Yong Lee - are almost certain starters for Neil Lennon; Jay Spearing could feature, while Mark Davies is injured.
Only two – Zat Knight and David Ngog – have left the club, while Alex Baptiste is currently on loan at Blackburn.
Even expanded into the entire match-day squad, 13 of the 17 players on duty are still employed by Wanderers.
Lennon’s team, while still far from the finished article, have assembled a handy run of form to climb away from the relegation zone.
In fact, since the Northern Irishman came on board on Bournemouth (18) and Brentford (17) have taken more Championship points.
For some who slumped off the pitch that afternoon, current circumstance could hardly be more different.
Tim Ream endured a torrid time against Royals winger Garath McLeary, looking every inch a centre-half playing out of position at left-back.
These days, the American is looking right at home in the full-back berth, and who could have honestly predicted back then he would finish that season with the club’s player of the year award to put on his mantelpiece?
Matt Mills – and ex-Reading favourite – was teased mercilessly by the home fans and pulled to all four corners of the pitch by Le Fondre, who since moved on to Cardiff.
Now wearing the captain’s armband in Spearing’s absence, the 28-year-old is looking in the sturdiest form of his Bolton career.
But the man who perhaps felt the 7-1 loss most acutely was Lonergan. Spared blame for the most part, the keeper’s form dipped sharply after the event with high-profile mistakes against Cardiff and Ipswich.
No sooner had Freedman declared him “number one” he found himself on the bench again as Adam Bogdan saw out all but one game that season.
Life is much more secure for Lonergan under Lennon and fresh from a world class display against Huddersfield last weekend, he too is flying.
Wanderers return to exorcise some demons this weekend and if Lennon’s words of motivation are not sufficient, perhaps the words of their former boss will do the trick?
Source
After the worst start to a season in 111 years there had been a few flickering signs of promise in Wanderers during the closing months of 2013.
Wins against Bournemouth, Millwall and Watford suggested Dougie Freedman’s team were starting to get their act together but alas, rock bottom had not been reached.
Never before or since have we seen a Bolton team so hopelessly out-classed as they were on the pitch at Reading on the afternoon of January 18, 2014.
At half time, 4-0 down, there was a vaguely delirious state among the local press contingent as we queued for soup; a not-know-whether-to-laugh-or-cry moment.
The second half was spent thumbing through books and scanning websites, trying to put this horrible score-line into some context.
And the goals didn’t stop, although Adam Le Fondre at least declared at a hat-trick. Reading added three more and had it not been for Andy Lonergan’s stubbornness, double figures were looming.
Remarkably, captain Jay Spearing accepted an offer to come out and explain – something he did, respectfully, in one continuous stream of consciousness, lasting little more than a minute.
The words of the manager would have more far-reaching consequences.
Eyes bloodshot, presumably from rage, Freedman started by apologising to those who had made the trip. Almost unprompted, he then launched into a verbal attack on his players which hung around like a cloud until he left his job some 258 days later.
“You are seeing players who are frankly not good enough for the football club,” he said, gazing into the distance. “I have to work with these players and train with them until I can get recruitment in.
“I know I have been here 14-15 months but there is still a nucleus of players who are simply not good enough for the football club. And you can’t move them on because football players these days earn that much money, you can’t move them, so you have to work with them.”
That same phrase – “not good enough” – was uttered in his final game at Fulham in October and considering Wanderers’ unremarkable form, it was hard to argue.
But Freedman’s statement, made in the heat of battle it must be remembered, holds little weight when you look at the numbers ever since.
Of the players who started against Reading, six – Andy Lonergan, Matt Mills, Tim Ream, Neil Danns, Darren Pratley and Chung-Yong Lee - are almost certain starters for Neil Lennon; Jay Spearing could feature, while Mark Davies is injured.
Only two – Zat Knight and David Ngog – have left the club, while Alex Baptiste is currently on loan at Blackburn.
Even expanded into the entire match-day squad, 13 of the 17 players on duty are still employed by Wanderers.
Lennon’s team, while still far from the finished article, have assembled a handy run of form to climb away from the relegation zone.
In fact, since the Northern Irishman came on board on Bournemouth (18) and Brentford (17) have taken more Championship points.
For some who slumped off the pitch that afternoon, current circumstance could hardly be more different.
Tim Ream endured a torrid time against Royals winger Garath McLeary, looking every inch a centre-half playing out of position at left-back.
These days, the American is looking right at home in the full-back berth, and who could have honestly predicted back then he would finish that season with the club’s player of the year award to put on his mantelpiece?
Matt Mills – and ex-Reading favourite – was teased mercilessly by the home fans and pulled to all four corners of the pitch by Le Fondre, who since moved on to Cardiff.
Now wearing the captain’s armband in Spearing’s absence, the 28-year-old is looking in the sturdiest form of his Bolton career.
But the man who perhaps felt the 7-1 loss most acutely was Lonergan. Spared blame for the most part, the keeper’s form dipped sharply after the event with high-profile mistakes against Cardiff and Ipswich.
No sooner had Freedman declared him “number one” he found himself on the bench again as Adam Bogdan saw out all but one game that season.
Life is much more secure for Lonergan under Lennon and fresh from a world class display against Huddersfield last weekend, he too is flying.
Wanderers return to exorcise some demons this weekend and if Lennon’s words of motivation are not sufficient, perhaps the words of their former boss will do the trick?
Source
