United – Enjoyed watching us today. Against a big, direct side we completely out footballed them and it was men v boys at times even if height/physique wise they may have towered above us in certain positions! We played some lovely football and the lovely little triangles, pass and move and defenders/wing backs helping the attacks we saw last season seemed to be back. We moved it from back to front quicker and got close to the ball to allow the neat football. It was all with a purpose and we had pace and movement and got it into the right areas quicker rather than some of the slow build-up we have seen in the closing months last season and at times to start this season. Today, everything we did had a purpose and we showed a zest and vigour as we moved it and attacked. The midfield three were excellent and Bash and Freeman bombing down the right caused all sorts of problems down that side where we had so much joy. We created maybe 10 good chances in the game; maybe more and a bit better finishing and it would have been an even bigger rout. We did the nasty, gritty bits too and won the ball and pressed a bit more than we have. I felt at times we have sat off but today we hounded in packs and then turned the possession over in our favour and were off and running. We won first and second balls today and then our superior quality took over.
The likes of @blades_analytic and @bladespod have said all week Bolton were in a false position looking at how teams have created more clear chances and that Bolton have effectively scored with the few chances they have had. They kind of built it up that if we played well and they carried on as they have; we could and would win and so it proved. Today was a good old-fashioned thumping. We played great football, made chance after chance, controlled midfielder, defended well and every player had a good, very good or excellent game. There were no weak links at all.
United were simply excellent and dominated from start to finish. It was a complete domination and really should have been a lot more. We dominated possession (54% to 46% the BBC says – it seemed so much more) and had all the clear chances. It could have been 3-0 after 5 minutes and after we went 2 up the game was done. You just had a slight worry they may get one from a set play and nearly did when Clarke cleared off the line but other than this and a slight half chance Henderson kind of batted behind just before half time; they were restricted completely and only had long range shots. Only Ameobi looked a threat and we did the job at corners/throws/free kicks really well. Felt the only negative was we maybe conceded a few too many of these to give them chance to get it into the box but the delivery was poor from them and when they did get it in; we cleared it well. The only down side attacking wide was we needed to be more ruthless but at least it was at 2 or 3-0 rather than 0-0 although we had two good chances early on but more of a good save and then the woodwork denied us rather than profligacy from us.
Seems after a poor start, we have gradually improved as Wilder says. We still need that striker this week (especially if Clarke is injured – tight hamstring) and Coutts coming back will make us even stronger. The midfield today oozed class and will be a key factor in any push for the top 6. Technically we looked excellent in there and we have skill, passing, movement and creativity. The goals we scored today were superb. It was lovely to see the interchange and pass and move. We also kept a clean sheet and that was important.
Bolton – Will temper above slightly in saying how poor Bolton were. It seems they maybe in a slightly false position after other teams had been better than them in some games as they took their chances and defended well. I felt today they could not live with our movement, passing and creativity. They got a bit of a going over really today. Parkinson spoke of mistakes or them being punished but it was not like they made loads of mistakes; they just could not get the ball off us at times. If the keeper had not played well it would have been embarrassing. They had two efforts of note all game other than a few shots blazed over at the end.
They managed to power their way up to promotion and credit to them for staying up on limited resources and difficult stuff off the pitch also. Parkinson gets criticised for his style and it is dire to watch but he has got them up and kept them up. Not sure how he plays will take them much higher and they will be near the bottom I feel at the end of the season; despite a decent start. I tipped them to go down and still think it will be a struggle.
For all the praise you could say that Millwall under similar resources have done better; they too play a direct style I suppose. I would not want to watch them every week I have to say and today showed what good footballers can do to a team that play like they do. They have quite an old side and lots of experience but that is not always a good thing when they are slow. The two lads at the back will get turned easily even if they score goals at the other end. Oztumer will struggle in the style they play to get much of the ball. I feel Ameobi is a talent but is a bit wasted too. They have lots of journeyman and very average strikers in Magennis, Donaldson, Wildschut, Buckley etc. The midfield is quite poor too and the full backs had a sorry time today. A squad that lacks consistency and quality but also pace/technical ability but they have had a decent start; today withstanding and if they can be organised and gritty they will always get the odd results and will play better than today I am sure but they were really given a hammering today.
Opposition Man of the Match – Ameobi or the keeper. Ameobi had a few shots and drifted inside and caused a few problems. The keeper Alnwick made a great save to deny Fleck to push against the bar early on after saving from Stevens and then he made a superb save to deny McGoldrick too. He made a few other saves from Sharp etc too. Little chance on the first and third goal but the second he maybe should have reacted quicker. Oztumer had a few moments on the ball near the end but we closed him off – glad he did not start as always causes us problems!
Opposition Weak link – Take your pick. The full backs were awful, Olkowski and Grounds were given a torrid time but had no protection. The centre backs slow and static and often ball watching. The midfield never won any tackles and had little of the ball and Vela was dominated by Fleck. Barely noticed the former Leeds lad Murphy or Lowe who used to play for Birmingham didn’t he? The front lads also never got in the game and were dealt with easily. Donaldson came on but barely touched the ball. How he will wish he was still with us!