BFTG - Bolton (a)

[winchester_royal]

Well, in the car anyway...

Good fun that. An excellent second half banishing the memory of a very average first. Could/would have won it if it weren't for poor finishing, bad luck, and awful refereeing. If we continue in that vain, and bring in a couple of quality additions up top, we'll do very well this season.

Positives:

- Royston Royston. I love him. Pure theatre.
- Guthrie dict8ed the play second half.
- Blackman looked a different player after the goal. Signs of real quality.
- Morrison bossed Beckford.
- When we pressed high in the second half we looked very good, just need to replic8 that over the full 90.

Negatives:

- Karacan still scared of going into the 50:50's. Bloody Leeds.
- Gunter can be so good, and then so bad in the same phase of play. Frustrating.
- We still look vulnerable on the counter.

Overall a valuable point against a good Bolton side. Interesting to hear their crowd boo them off the pitch at the end, obviously thogught they'd walk all over us...

[St. Brynjar]

Very surprised to hear them boo, seeing as we're one of the favourites for promotion. Booing the ref, performance or Drenthe maybe?

[Basingstoke Royal]

Sir John pissed out of his face as usual. Legend.

[winchester_royal]

Very surprised to hear them boo, seeing as we're one of the favourites for promotion. Booing the ref, performance or Drenthe maybe?

Possibly, but half of them had left by FT..

I think our dominance in the second half took them by surprise, didn't hear a peep from them after the end of the first.

[Pepe the Horseman]

They've been moaning about Drenthe's diving on twitter, so probs booing the ref.

[URZZZZZ]

"Royston Drenthe wanted a penalty late on but he should have stayed on his feet. We've had a word with him because we don't want to be doing that at Reading Football Club.
"But Royston was a massive threat and he'll only get fitter and better throughout this season."


Comments from NA. Was it really that blatant???

[CholseyRoyal]

Maybe this part of an article from The Bolton News shows why?

Yet another penalty appeal was then turned down flat as Baptiste’s back-post header was blocked by McAnuff – and could have been compounded at the other end when Bogdan was forced into a brilliant save from sub Le Fondre as the Royals hit on the counter.

But Boyeson did get one spot on when he booked Drenthe for collapsing inside the area from Baptiste’s challenge.

Wanderer started to look ragged in possession heading into the last 10 minutes and may have got away with a penalty themselves when Reading fans were screaming for a push by Baptiste on McAnuff.

[handbags_harris]

"Royston Drenthe wanted a penalty late on but he should have stayed on his feet. We've had a word with him because we don't want to be doing that at Reading Football Club.
"But Royston was a massive threat and he'll only get fitter and better throughout this season."


Comments from NA. Was it really that blatant???

Yes, yes it was. Thoroughly disappointing given the position we were in at that point of the attack. He'd beaten the man.

Thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes with a totally dominant second half. The only thing missing was that finishing touch. Alfie, Pearce and Morrison should have scored were it not for the heroics of Bogdan BUT, and it's a big but, if ours was a penalty then Bolton should consider themselves extremely hard-done-to 10 minutes later. It was that blatant we could see it clear as day up the other end. There was a second big shout but the opposite end view was obscured.

Long and short of it is that if we play like that second half today and sustain it for 90 minutes, there are literally one or two teams in this division who could live with us. It really was that good...

Sh*t goal to concede as normal, free header at the back stick from a simple cross. Pratley must love playing us. pot shot that hit the post, lucky ladders, their approach play first half was good particularly first 20 but once Pearce and Morrison got to grips with Ngog and Beckford there was only going to be one outcome - defensive dominance.

Enjoyed it, good to come to a game and put both managerial acumen AND pleasing football together. It's all coming together quite nicely thankyou. Next up, a Watford side that showed their attacking prowess today...

[RedRum]

.
. Next up, a Watford side that showed their attacking prowess today...

I'd take a point there too. Really tough start to the season tbf.

[howser]

good report handbags, thanks ! Adkins was always going to get us playing better football than what we had become used to. Looks like it might be a good few months ahead.

[bobby1413]

.
. Next up, a Watford side that showed their attacking prowess today...

I'd take a point there too. Really tough start to the season tbf.

Agree. Get Watford out the way with a point (or more) and it's a good positive start.

I didn't go because of work but I'm pleased to hear we picked up in the second half, but hoping that's not going to be a regular theme, i.e. poor first halfs, but good second trying to get back into it.

Also pleased to hear Royston does look the real deal. Can't wait till Watford game now.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Fcuk that, we want to be beating Watford.

[Ian Royal]

"Royston Drenthe wanted a penalty late on but he should have stayed on his feet. We've had a word with him because we don't want to be doing that at Reading Football Club.
"But Royston was a massive threat and he'll only get fitter and better throughout this season."


Comments from NA. Was it really that blatant???

Yes, yes it was. Thoroughly disappointing given the position we were in at that point of the attack. He'd beaten the man.

Thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes with a totally dominant second half. The only thing missing was that finishing touch. Alfie, Pearce and Morrison should have scored were it not for the heroics of Bogdan BUT, and it's a big but, if ours was a penalty then Bolton should consider themselves extremely hard-done-to 10 minutes later. It was that blatant we could see it clear as day up the other end. There was a second big shout but the opposite end view was obscured.

Long and short of it is that if we play like that second half today and sustain it for 90 minutes, there are literally one or two teams in this division who could live with us. It really was that good...

Sh*t goal to concede as normal, free header at the back stick from a simple cross. Pratley must love playing us. pot shot that hit the post, lucky ladders, their approach play first half was good particularly first 20 but once Pearce and Morrison got to grips with Ngog and Beckford there was only going to be one outcome - defensive dominance.

Enjoyed it, good to come to a game and put both managerial acumen AND pleasing football together. It's all coming together quite nicely thankyou. Next up, a Watford side that showed their attacking prowess today...

Gooding apparently said it was a clear penalty. LOL.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

was that on the radio then?

[2.8 lita injection]

I have not seen the incident. MG said the defender put his leg out and Drenthe dived over it.

Look forward to seeing it.

[LoyalRoyal22]

Ok first half but with no real cutting edge. Second half was superb, should have got the 3 points in the end. The counter attack when Drenthe set up Le Fondre was awesome to watch, promising signs. Happy with the point though

Also previously i have mentioned the need for more creativity and doubted Drenthe could play behind the striker, totally wrong. He was brilliant today, fouled so many times. Not sure on the dive.. need to see it again

Also when Blackman wasn't playing very well in the first half, the Reading fans singing for Le Fondre were embarrassing. Blackman played ok and seems to cope better than Alfie on his own upfront

McCarthy- 8
Gunter- 7
Bridge -7
Pearce- 7
Morrison- 8
McCleary- 7
Jobi- 6
Karacan- 6
Guthrie - 7
Drenthe- 8
Blackman- 7

[Royal91]

Firstly, that was a bloody good game and worth the trip up. Should of come away with 3 points to be honest after shaky 25/30 min period in the first half

Everyone had a top game today and Jobi was OK, but there are still questions marks over Karacan.

Blackman was very very usual up top and after that goal he will grow in confidence. Adds better link play than Alf.

Drenthe was a machine today and Bolton couldn't get near him. It got completely ridiculous towards the end with Bolton taking him out every time.

I can't say if they should of had a pen, but Jobi should of had one. Got completely smashed

Shit ref as usual.

Moving on, add 2 more players and we should def get play-offs

[BenReadingFC]

Video of Blackman's penalty is uploading. I'll post it up when it's done.

[urz13]

Hugely entertaining game, thoroughly worth fighting through the M6 traffic for. Deserved the win, thought we limited them to long shots and just lost concentration for the goal (Karacan lost his man IIRC). Second half we stepped it up and played them off the park. Great performance.

McCarthy - 8 made some great saves from their long range efforts, had the shot that hit the post covered
Gunter - 6 Made far too many errors but was useful going forward
Pearce - 7 an average first half, superb second
Morrison - 8 superb throughout
Bridge - 7 solid is the word
Guthrie - 8.5 MOTM absoloutely everywhere, breaking up their moves and kick starting our own.
Karacan - just seemed a bit ineffective
McCleary - 7 poor in the first half but very dangerous in the second
Drenthe - 8.5 would have been a 9 but for the dive. Ridiculously good and thoroughly entertaining
McAnuff - 7 Worked hard
Blackman - 5 improved after his goal but was so, so poor in the first half - couldn't control a ball to save his life. Great penalty.

ALF - 5 should have buried his chance, touch and link up was better than Blackmans.
HRK - 6
Williams - No time

[ManchesterRoyals]

add 2 more players and we should def get play-offs

What areas would you say that we need strengthening in?