Bolton Wanderers Post Match Thoughts

[gru]

Richard Wood,let's put this to bed for once and for all for one poster in particular.
He is a Millers legend plain and simple, an example of everything that is right with modern football .
On the pitch he is playing the best football of his long career, a leader of men and an inspiration to our younger players, is he good enough for the championship? Probably not,but I'm sure he will be around for some time, inspiring and coaching future Millers defenders.
I'm sure most fans will agree with me.

Haven't got money for anymore coaches. What's happened up to now this season it's laid foundation but back 3 hasn't been right especially on the left. Can't argue with that. Bolton yesterday surprised me thought they'd be struggling after covid enforced break they've had but they made it one of best games at NYS this season glad we've already played them at their place this season.

[Pocket rocket]

Meanest defence and best goal difference in the league.

Let’s do what Bolton do and leave a player up when defending corners. That sounds like a plan. It ‘s patently working for them.

Not.

This exactly.
We’re top of the league and have the best defence but we want to change it ??????

Good game yesterday no we aren’t as fluid as we could be but a win is all that matters.
Last season we played well in games and got nothing. This season we are winning and that should be enough or maybe not.

[gru]

This exactly.
We’re top of the league and have the best defence but we want to change it ??????

Good game yesterday no we aren’t as fluid as we could be but a win is all that matters.
Last season we played well in games and got nothing. This season we are winning and that should be enough or maybe not.

Cause last season we were punching above our weight! This season we are more at our level.

[MillerBill]

Yesterday's results mainly went our way and even though we have played a lot better we collect the points and return to the top with 50 pointThis week will be a welcome break where we can use squad players and gives the opportunity to impress.It will be interesting to see if there is any transfer movement,I'm sure TS will stick to his guns and not allow any of our stars to be poached, unless it is a really massive fee but the prize of returning to the Championship will over rule losing players.

[DerekProsser(East Anglia)]

Last season, as many have already stated on here, we played well in so many games but got nothing from them. The oft heard sentiments were things like "we lacked that ability to hold on to a lead", or "we couldn't kill off a game," or one that was never exactly popular but so true- "we need to learn to win ugly."

Had we done any or all of the above more often then arguably we'd have stayed in the Championship. But we didn't, and now we look back and think just how often if things had clicked just a little differently we'd still be up there.

This season we've played some excellent stuff and been spoilt at times, matches have been a delight to watch. There have been a couple of frustrating games where we deserved more (Lincoln away, Crewe at home) and a few where we might feel we got away with it. But either way, it's January and we're top of the league, we're still in 2 cup tournaments, and we have lost only one of the last 22.

Things have appeared to wobble of late, performance wise, this is true. There are a number of factors for this that have been covered, but the simple fact is that this is a tough league. There are some very good sides in League One, and despite what some may think having had a few seasons in the Championship, we are NOT a big fish in a small pond down here. We are a good league One side surrounded by many other good League One sides and a few that in terms of budget/fan base are considerably bigger than us.

There simply is no way we can have it easy all season. We've had to dig deep at times, grit it out and rely on a bit of luck. But instead of the three comments at the top of this post, we're now collecting the wins and the points and saying "that was a close one!" Yes it's nerve wracking, it's tense, but we're on the right side of the close games whereas previously we weren't.

Jan will be a difficult month with the transfer window opening and covid still causing chaos to the fixture list. But we're still a good, competitive, decent side. We are owed nothing and have no divine rights to walk over any opposition (we'll save that honour for the deluded arrogant massive clubs).

I'm proud of the efforts of the entire club so far this season. UTM

[Timbertop]

Listening to his interview it sounds like Warne is finally getting frustrated with his strikers and i fully expect him to be signing somebody suitable soon. Grigg and Ladapo are definitely not good enough and Kayode looks like he needs more loan time. Sunderland apparently are spending a lot of money on a new striker which very likely will nigh on make them certainties to win this league.

[uttis]

Great post Derek

[MillersTime]

Meanest defence and best goal difference in the league.

Let’s do what Bolton do and leave a player up when defending corners. That sounds like a plan. It ‘s patently working for them.

Not.

In fairness, whilst not having watched all the goals conceded this season by Bolton, I highly doubt the disparity between the sides in goals conceded is because of the one extra defender we bring back for corners. How many goals has Ogbene helped prevent from corners? I never see him win a header in a crowded box, you wouldn't expect him too. I'm on the leave one guy up side. Forces them to leave two back and we may well catch them with quick distribution akin to yesterday when Viktor tried to find Ollie.

I'm firmly on the 'we have been pretty darn good defensively' side of things but a small adjustment could benefit us more than hurt imo.

[CASPER-64-FRANK]

Last season, as many have already stated on here, we played well in so many games but got nothing from them. The oft heard sentiments were things like "we lacked that ability to hold on to a lead", or "we couldn't kill off a game," or one that was never exactly popular but so true- "we need to learn to win ugly."

Had we done any or all of the above more often then arguably we'd have stayed in the Championship. But we didn't, and now we look back and think just how often if things had clicked just a little differently we'd still be up there.

This season we've played some excellent stuff and been spoilt at times, matches have been a delight to watch. There have been a couple of frustrating games where we deserved more (Lincoln away, Crewe at home) and a few where we might feel we got away with it. But either way, it's January and we're top of the league, we're still in 2 cup tournaments, and we have lost only one of the last 22.

Things have appeared to wobble of late, performance wise, this is true. There are a number of factors for this that have been covered, but the simple fact is that this is a tough league. There are some very good sides in League One, and despite what some may think having had a few seasons in the Championship, we are NOT a big fish in a small pond down here. We are a good league One side surrounded by many other good League One sides and a few that in terms of budget/fan base are considerably bigger than us.

There simply is no way we can have it easy all season. We've had to dig deep at times, grit it out and rely on a bit of luck. But instead of the three comments at the top of this post, we're now collecting the wins and the points and saying "that was a close one!" Yes it's nerve wracking, it's tense, but we're on the right side of the close games whereas previously we weren't.

Jan will be a difficult month with the transfer window opening and covid still causing chaos to the fixture list. But we're still a good, competitive, decent side. We are owed nothing and have no divine rights to walk over any opposition (we'll save that honour for the deluded arrogant massive clubs).

I'm proud of the efforts of the entire club so far this season. UTM

^^^^ Good post Derek ^^^^^^
Enjoyed reading that and agree with the majority of what you're saying.

[MillerBill]

Listening to his interview it sounds like Warne is finally getting frustrated with his strikers and i fully expect him to be signing somebody suitable soon. Grigg and Ladapo are definitely not good enough and Kayode looks like he needs more loan time. Sunderland apparently are spending a lot of money on a new striker which very likely will nigh on make them certainties to win this league.

Yes I thought Warney was referring to the fact we must convert these chances and apart from Smith we do not have another option.We need that different poacher either with a bit of nouse or pace or both.We can't rely on Smudge all the time.