Bolton post match thoughts?

[Thesilentman]

Hamshaw is completely out of his depth and if he is a Miller like he says he is then he should do the honourable thing and walk away! His arrogance knows no bounds and rhe way he comes across just smacks of a completely beaten man!
I was prepared to buy into this project however the chairman didn't and this is why we've not been able to sign the targets they identified in the summer to play the formation and style he wanted to play. Square pegs in round holes for far too long. Rafferty and James very good full backs and we should play a formation that suits that. Baptiste could probably play just infront of a back 4.
The football is slow, predictable and boring! Saviour Nombe has thrown the toys out of the pram and his effort on Saturday was simply a don't forget to come back in the summer window for me Bolton. Gray should have been subbed at HT for Watmore or Bianchieri, he's showing his Premier league traits of going down at the slightest touch.
Cann is the shining light but due to the managers tactics he's finding himself on a losing side. I wish someone would just make a decision because come 10 o'clock tomorrow we could be all but relegated!

[Timbertop]

Phil Smith is clearly an astute businessman but his football knowledge ,emphasised by his ridiculous support of the totally incompetent Hamshaw, is clearly extremely limited. An immediate change of manager could bring fresh ideas and proper coaching and could save us but for some unfathomable reason Smith will not let it happen. There are some strange and disconcerting rumours floating around supporters of this football club.

[Brin]

Ok....in reply to open abuse, and borderline hatred from some for Hamshaw, here's my take on him.
He's a complete novice, a rookie as a manager, he was given the job as last season, he did well, much better in fact than the hugely experienced manager he replaced.
So TS thinks this kid could do well, plus the Rotherham connection would have helped so worth a gamble....maybe the next Warney.
His ideas are sound,younger players with a sell on value, a strong work ethic, getting back to more "Rotherham " values.
These are the things that Ronnie,Warne and to a certain degree,Evans, have brought success in the past.
However, it hasn't worked,a combination of horrendous injuries, naivety, and a stubbornness to change has left us facing the 4th division.
He won't be sacked this season, what's the point unless you have someone to take over the next day,so let's just hope we can scrape together enough points to stay up,then reassess again at the end of the season.

TLC, a good reply pinpointing the ideas Hamshaw had for the coming season and now all that is wrong with this season.

One thing missing from that lot is TS could have brought someone else in to guide/help/support Hamshaw in what is his full first season. Maybe this person could have help guide him away from using 3 at the back as we haven't the players to play wing back. Or did TS think it's his job to deliver on his own?

As for stubbornness Hamshaw display this abundantly and has only himself to blame and Saturday was a prime example when still leading, he swaps back to a 3 at the back and they saw that and punished us heavily.
Naivety? Arrogance? Unwilling to listen? Who knows but it's mess and one we didn't expect.

[RU66]

Hamshaw he's Sheff W anyway as a player comes across like them thinking he's too good for us. Need our stronger players from now starting. No Martha Watmore who we can't play him to get him up to speed. Can't give in till our fate is sealed.

[Brin]

Hamshaw is completely out of his depth and if he is a Miller like he says he is then he should do the honourable thing and walk away! His arrogance knows no bounds and rhe way he comes across just smacks of a completely beaten man!
I was prepared to buy into this project however the chairman didn't and this is why we've not been able to sign the targets they identified in the summer to play the formation and style he wanted to play. Square pegs in round holes for far too long. Rafferty and James very good full backs and we should play a formation that suits that. Baptiste could probably play just infront of a back 4.
The football is slow, predictable and boring! Saviour Nombe has thrown the toys out of the pram and his effort on Saturday was simply a don't forget to come back in the summer window for me Bolton. Gray should have been subbed at HT for Watmore or Bianchieri, he's showing his Premier league traits of going down at the slightest touch.
Cann is the shining light but due to the managers tactics he's finding himself on a losing side. I wish someone would just make a decision because come 10 o'clock tomorrow we could be all but relegated!

Another good post outlining other issues.

'I was prepared to buy into this project however the chairman didn't and this is why we've not been able to sign the targets they identified in the summer to play the formation and style he wanted to play. ' What are you saying there? TS didn't want to speculate to assist Hamshaw achieve? That's moving the blame culture upstairs.

Nombe - I've heard it all around me at games that Sam hasn't been the same player since coming back from his injury. Saturday's performance was him at his best and one we've hoped he would deliver all season. He is an exceptional player especially at this level but where has the service been all season for him? He's had to get and deliver most of it himself. He has another year on his contract and I for one pray no - one comes knocking close season for him. He will be a big hit if we drop to League 2.

Harry Gray - Oh dear, these feigning fouls are not what we want to see from him. He has a lot going for him and we didn't see those antics from him when he first arrived so why start doing it now? Bags of talent and still only a kid at 17. I called for him to be subbed for Watmore but a lot earlier and maybe that might have helped our cause. To leave him on while the 89th minute was highly critical of Hamshaw. Again the lad is only 17 and maybe these League games are taking a slight toll on him, it's a big jump from youth football to senior football. Give the lad a rest and use Watmore when needed.

Caan - What a breath of fresh air this young man is. Okay he got a couple of positions wrong on Saturday but the rest of his game was very good indeed. He will grow the more games he plays and shows to be a good potential player for us. Why oh why did Hamshaw not give a first team start long before now? Dawson may well ply his trade elsewhere next season but please, not with us!

We have no idea who will be our Chairman next season, anything can happen in a close season. One things for sure, if Hamshaw is staying on, which I doubt will happen, then either he has to change his ideas/attitude or, the correct players are brought in to play using his formula/ideas.

[Tigerish]

A lot of people have forgotten that Hamshaw couldn't wait to get to Derby County.
No tears should be shed when goes through the door again.
How he's still here can only be down to one thing: A relegation means we can tear up his three year deal without coughing up money to get shut.

[frogmiller]

I was at the match on Saturday and really enjoyed it.

Thankfully a huge percentage of Rotherham United I spoke to also enjoyed it but understandably were dissatisfied with the result. However most said that they would take that draw before a ball was kicked.

I had the fortune of being with Mr Hamshaw senior, Mr Tongues parents amongst other family members.

The conversation reflected much of what has been written on here about the match. If only we had their number 8 in our midfield it would have been a different story although I thought that Cover did well. He then went to right back to replace Raffety after he had given his all. Him walking round the away end and winding them up was brilliant. It was a shame he kicked the water bottle when their kit man got sent off. Being on a yellow when you have a young fast tricky winger and being almost twice his age made it too much of a risk? Who knows?

One thing we all agreed on was the decision making in key moments cost us 2 points. I personally was of the opinion that it was the lack of the players experience cost us. But it is to be expected I suppose when you have so many young players out there.

Cann was excellent as has been said. Thankfully Wogga has been there getting him ready to take over from Dawson. It is strange how some people think that Wogga hasn’t had any influence in who plays in goal. Maybe Dawson made one too many errors for Wogga not to be able to make a compelling case for him to be given the start. Who knows?

I thought that our supporter were fantastic and in great voice. The team will be really encouraged by that. The Bolton fans were also in good voice which made the atmosphere better than it has been for ages.

I do think that this team is capable of getting enough points.

There is one massive negative that is clear about this thread. It is usually put up for comments about the game. Unfortunately some have taken the opportunity to repeat the same abuse towards the manager. It would be decent of those who want Hamshaw sacked to start another thread on that subject and leave this thread for after the match comments please.

UTM

[Back of the net]

I was at the match on Saturday and really enjoyed it.

Thankfully a huge percentage of Rotherham United I spoke to also enjoyed it but understandably were dissatisfied with the result. However most said that they would take that draw before a ball was kicked.

I had the fortune of being with Mr Hamshaw senior, Mr Tongues parents amongst other family members.

The conversation reflected much of what has been written on here about the match. If only we had their number 8 in our midfield it would have been a different story although I thought that Cover did well. He then went to right back to replace Raffety after he had given his all. Him walking round the away end and winding them up was brilliant. It was a shame he kicked the water bottle when their kit man got sent off. Being on a yellow when you have a young fast tricky winger and being almost twice his age made it too much of a risk? Who knows?

One thing we all agreed on was the decision making in key moments cost us 2 points. I personally was of the opinion that it was the lack of the players experience cost us. But it is to be expected I suppose when you have so many young players out there.

Cann was excellent as has been said. Thankfully Wogga has been there getting him ready to take over from Dawson. It is strange how some people think that Wogga hasn’t had any influence in who plays in goal. Maybe Dawson made one too many errors for Wogga not to be able to make a compelling case for him to be given the start. Who knows?

I thought that our supporter were fantastic and in great voice. The team will be really encouraged by that. The Bolton fans were also in good voice which made the atmosphere better than it has been for ages.

I do think that this team is capable of getting enough points.

There is one massive negative that is clear about this thread. It is usually put up for comments about the game. Unfortunately some have taken the opportunity to repeat the same abuse towards the manager. It would be decent of those who want Hamshaw sacked to start another thread on that subject and leave this thread for after the match comments please.

UTM

Yet you have commented on match threads previously when sticking up for your pal. Hypocrisy again.
You can’t keep a clear head in this and I think you should follow your own advice and start another thread on reasons to keep him.
It should be a long one either way all the positive stuff he’s achieving. You can’t handle what most people think that’s the bottom line.
Why don’t we all stop posting altogether frog who don’t want the manager that way you can have the echo chamber pocket was on about.
You clearly don’t have the emotional capacity to think with clarity on this. I’ll commit to stop posting and leave you and your insecurities around your pal to it. Have a good day enjoy the echo chamber.

[Pocket rocket]

Yet you have commented on match threads previously when sticking up for your pal. Hypocrisy again.
You can’t keep a clear head in this and I think you should follow your own advice and start another thread on reasons to keep him.
It should be a long one either way all the positive stuff he’s achieving. You can’t handle what most people think that’s the bottom line.
Why don’t we all stop posting altogether frog who don’t want the manager that way you can have the echo chamber pocket was on about.
You clearly don’t have the emotional capacity to think with clarity on this. I’ll commit to stop posting and leave you and your insecurities around your pal to it. Have a good day enjoy the echo chamber.

😂😂😂 nailed it absolutely pathetic but predictable.

[UlleyMiller]

MH dividing the fans is starting to really skew what's happening in individual games. We were decent for most of that game, plenty of effort and some good play throughout the team. 2-0 flattered us at half time, although we were well in it before the goals and arguably deserved a lead. We created some real openings second half too and could very well have been 3-1 at one stage as they threw men forward. 2-2 was a good result, probably a fair reflection of the game, and (as has been said) a point we didn't expect.

The starters were all solid right up until the subs started, and then we started the familiar loss of shape. Granted, they were pushing a lot more by then, but the subs always seem to be slightly arbitrary with a break around an hour in, then with ten minutes left, and a final change in the dying minutes (usually Biancheri, who must be pissed off with that). The three worked well this time, but the full backs looked less effective, and Rafferty in particular seems to have more mistakes in him of late. Midfielders worked well (not a fan of Cover but he played well) and great to see Powell back. The attacking intent with three going at it was good, although Martha and Gray seemed to be in the same position as each other too often. It did open Bolton up a lot though, their defence struggled to cope with some of the runs and the pace we had.

The negatives... The substitutions really aren't helping us and that is down the manager. We should be seeing a bit of energy when they happen, but it leads to anything from confusion to just the loss of a player who had been doing well (Martha should have stayed on, and swapping a CB should be only ever for an injury). Whilst I appreciate the amount of feeling fans have for him, Gray is not the messiah. Shocking I know, but if people took notice of how often he runs at someone before not trying to get a foot in, they might start to appreciate that Martha isn't the cartoon villain many see him as for the lack of defending he does. And the ref... again... it's tiring having to say this almost every game, but yet another who lost control at the end of the first half, and seemed to be hell bent on making something up to Bolton in the second. Can't remember much, if anything, going our way after the break.

Fair play to Bolton's fans, they were noisy and got behind their team. We had a lot more gaps than usual (more than some midweek games), and it was pretty quiet a lot of the time. Can't really hear the kop end very much where I am though.

Another point, another of our last remaining L1 games out of the way, and IMHO it was a good game and a well earned point. That doesn't change my mind on MH needing to be moved on, but nothing about Saturday made that feeling any stronger.