►►►►►► Match Ratings VS Bolton Wanderers ◄◄◄◄◄◄

[Bus-Conductor]

BC - Bolton were still not playing three in the middle, they were 4-4-2....I had no problems with our set up tonight given the way they approached the game, and they got punished badly. They had their 10-15 min spell at the start of the second and then they got hit, they were too open at the end of the day. Coyle went for it and got his fingers burned royally.

I agree, about Coyle's tactics being wrong, and about us punishing him, but you judge the tactics based on what was known when you made them, not retrospectively. Bolton got back into it because of our poor tactics and were looking the team most likely until we scored two break away goals in a minute. Ultimately the gamble worked because our pacey wingers created three goals, but the last time the gamble of playing those three in a four man (+1) paid off away from home was West Brom in November. So I still think it's a stupid gamble and he is daft to ignore the evidence of better away performances with different tactics.

 

[StartingPrice]

Coincidence: Speculation over Ratknip ends, and Modric looks like a great player and an interested player, again = you decide!

 

[Qualsonic]

Gave it to Lennon, could've been Modric.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Coincidence: Speculation over Ratknip ends, and Modric looks like a great player and an interested player, again = you decide!

I actually think Modric wasn't brilliant tonight apart from two very, very good major contributions. But I also think it's bollocks that he hasn't been good or looked interested in other games. I think he has generally gone about his business to the best of his ability throughout.

 

[OmarsComing]

Deep.

that's what your mrs said...

 

[StartingPrice]

I actually think Modric wasn't brilliant tonight apart from two very, very good major contributions. But I also think it's bollocks that he hasn't been good or looked interested in other games. I think he has generally gone about his business to the best of his ability throughout.

Well, that's a first...we disagree

 

[Misfit]

that's what your mrs said...

Awww sheeit.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

that's what your mrs said...

You shouldn't eavesdrop !

 

[StartingPrice]

that's what your mrs said...

Omars offline identity revealed as Dominos delivery boy

 

[Mr Pink]

I agree, about Coyle's tactics being wrong, and about us punishing him, but you judge the tactics based on what was known when you made them, not retrospectively. Bolton got back into it because of our poor tactics and were looking the team most likely until we scored two break away goals in a minute. Ultimately the gamble worked because our pacey wingers created three goals, but the last time the gamble of playing those three in a four man (+1) paid off away from home was West Brom in November. So I still think it's a stupid gamble and he is daft to ignore the evidence of better away performances with different tactics.

I know what you're saying but I don't entirely see it that way. I think they came out second half and had 'their' spell, they were going to at some point. I look at the first half and IMO we dominated it, and created a few glorious chances. I know they had that chance right on the stroke of half time, coming from a predictable set piece, but really that first half was ours and profligacy again looked like it was on the menu.

We had threatened plenty in the first half, so its not like our quick fire goals came completely out of the blue. Might of been against the run of play at that precise point, but the warning signs were there for Coyle first half.

 

[thinktank]

that's what your mrs said...

Oh no no no-nee no you di'unt.

 

[OmarsComing]

Coincidence: Speculation over Ratknip ends, and Modric looks like a great player and an interested player, again = you decide!

 

[Spurrific]

that's what your mrs said...

 

[StartingPrice]

 

[danielneeds]

I actually thought Modric playing the deep-lying playmaker role and Sandro being given license to search and destroy worked beautifully tnnight. We were totally dominant 1st half, and but for a bit of slack marking from Modric at a throw, which lifted Bolton and the crowd in that spell, I liked the shape and cutting edge that has been sadly missing in the last few weeks/months.

That said, Bolton needed to come out and get 3 points, we've still got to see if we can open up a competent side (Blackburn don't count) that are happy to sit back against us.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I actually thought Modric playing the deep-lying playmaker role and Sandro being given license to search and destroy worked beautifully tnnight. We were totally dominant 1st half, and but for a bit of slack marking from Modric at a throw, which lifted Bolton and the crowd in that spell, I liked the shape and cutting edge that has been sadly missing in the last few weeks/months.

That said, Bolton needed to come out and get 3 points, we've still got to see if we can open up a competent side (Blackburn don't count) that are happy to sit back against us.

We've tried to do just that many, many occasions this season and last with that midfield set up and proved very inept at winning games. But this keep happening, we score a victory and all is forgotten. It's much easier to capitalise when, as you point out, the other team come at us a bit hung ho, unlike the shrewder strategy that Sunderland and QPR employed.

There really is a shitload of evidence that suggests occasionally we will get lucky and hot teams on the break, but what happens a lot is we invite too much pressure on a very vulnerable group of players and we come unstuck. We blew CL football last years by repeatedly playing that way and have put it in jeopardy this year by doing the same sometimes. IMO.

 

[danielneeds]

We've tried to do just that many, many occasions this season and last with that midfield set up and proved very inept at winning games. But this keep happening, we score a victory and all is forgotten. It's much easier to capitalise when, as you point out, the other team come at us a bit hung ho, unlike the shrewder strategy that Sunderland and QPR employed.

There really is a shitload of evidence that suggests occasionally we will get lucky and hot teams on the break, but what happens a lot is we invite too much pressure on a very vulnerable group of players and we come unstuck. We blew CL football last years by repeatedly playing that way and have put it in jeopardy this year by doing the same sometimes. IMO.

And there is a shit load of evidence to prove that playing 3 in midfield and VDV on the right isn't the panacea to all our ills, as a lot of our poor form has been playing that way. We just haven't looked like scoring enough.

 

[steve]

Mod going missing for their goal let them back into a match they shouldn't have been in. It doesn't matter how you set up sometimes, teams always have a 'spell' no matter how shit they are. I thought our defending through the high balls, crosses and long throws that constituted their spell was mainly excellent, Sandro twice dealing with Davies under intense pressure (who eventually elbowed him in the head - so unlike him) and Kaboul and Gallas got in vital headers....i only remember Eagles shot over the bar in that period....Spurs teams of old would've let one in normally in that spell...

Mod's pass was class although Lennon's run made it possible - a good example of intelligent movement and great vision combined. Ade was a bit pony with his touch but took his 2nd goal well...a well deserved win all round and we can still get better...

 

[ShelfSide18]

Mod going missing for their goal let them back into a match they shouldn't have been in. It doesn't matter how you set up sometimes, teams always have a 'spell' no matter how shit they are. I thought our defending through the high balls, crosses and long throws that constituted their spell was mainly excellent, Sandro twice dealing with Davies under intense pressure (who eventually elbowed him in the head - so unlike him) and Kaboul and Gallas got in vital headers....i only remember Eagles shot over the bar in that period....Spurs teams of old would've let one in normally in that spell...

Mod's pass was class although Lennon's run made it possible -a good example of intelligent movement and great vision combined. Ade was a bit pony with his touch but took his 2nd goal well...a well deserved win all round and we can still get better...

Ha, after that discussion earlier on that story wrote itself didn't it!

I thought we were good first half, they went 442 and with Rafa coming deep for us we had a nice spare man in there and played some crisp stuff, as has been mentioned Bolton had intentions of giving us a game and they gave us space to manouvre. I was also impressed with the work off the ball in the first 45.

The start of the 2nd half was exactly what I didn't want, and what is always possible when you have that wafer thin midfield and when they equalised my stomach sank - we've been there before too many times. Modric went sleepybyes for their throw in but think Kaboul may have spotted him a bit quicker too.

But then the quality came, Bolton got a head of steam and left their back door wide open and when we have space we will make serious amounts of hay. Modric's ball was just sublime, his involvement in the second goal shouldn't be overlooked either. Bale and Lennon delivered and VDVs finish was sublime. The way he nonchalantly coaxed the ball home was a top player delivering at a pivotal moment.

Overall we've benefitted from Bolton coming at us tonight but bottom line it paid off handsomely, ours to lose now. Lets hope Villa are as abject as the last time we played them.

 

[steve]

I couldn't resist Shelfy although i do think it's true - without Lennon's run the pass in behind isn't on...