Back From The Game - Bolton

[Platypuss]

He may be a massive helm, but he's OUR massive helm.

[Mr Angry]

Surely possession per se isn't the key variable; its where you have that possession that counts.

With Swansea (and Southampton) a lot of teams have sussed that you can allow them all the possession they want in the 2/3rds of the pitch from their goal-line, but deny them the ability to do much beyond that. As a result, large possession stats but minimal impact on the goal chances created (and even then, simply using the number of shots as a way of judging efficiency is crude and simplistic - if every shot was from 25 yrds+ out, does that mean the team were good, or defended out of the game?)

As always when people try to read a game and draw conclusions based on stats, it is a fail because there are simply too many individual variables and too many outside influences to take into consideration.

[Royal Biscuitman]

Gorkss - absolute rock today, deserved a goal, looked comfortable with ball at his feet

Looked like Roberto Carlos in his prime running though and around players down the line near the West Stand.... We were 5-0 up or something at the time, so perfectly acceptable to show boat.

[Royal Biscuitman]

Surely possession per se isn't the key variable; its where you have that possession that counts.

With Swansea (and Southampton) a lot of teams have sussed that you can allow them all the possession they want in the 2/3rds of the pitch from their goal-line, but deny them the ability to do much beyond that. As a result, large possession stats but minimal impact on the goal chances created (and even then, simply using the number of shots as a way of judging efficiency is crude and simplistic - if every shot was from 25 yrds+ out, does that mean the team were good, or defended out of the game?)

As always when people try to read a game and draw conclusions based on stats, it is a fail because there are simply too many individual variables and too many outside influences to take into consideration.

Wasn't that one of Brian McDermot's philosophies in our last championship winning year, let them have possession in areas where they can do nothing with it... or drive them into dead ends with the ball and be in no rush to win it back.

[AkpansBFF]

McCarthy 8 - Not much to do but a good first half save and not sure if he could've done much for the second.

Gunter 8 - Solid at the back, picked up a little more confidence to judging by him losing the ball at the end.
Pearce 8.5 - Solid and made good interceptions.
Gorkss 8.5 - Solid but has to be my favourite moment in the first half him running to intercept and missing it completely sending them through!
Obita - 8 - Great game for him got forward well and defended well too.

McCleary 9 - Brilliant on the wing caused the third from pressure and I think he set another 1 or 2 up?
Williams 9 - Great game in the middle, consistently fouled but battled on and didn't react meaning he didn't pick up a card, hoped for him to grab a goal today!
Akpan 9.5 - Superb in the centre, bossed the game by doing the simple stuff right and scored a lovely goal too.
McAnuff 8.5 - Good game on the left, played some decent stuff.

ALF 10 - Lovely 3 goals, first proved he was up for it following his quick reaction, second was a good run and third was unselfish on McCleary, but he made positive runs all game.
POG 9 - Great game, bossed the back 4, great flip on and he now seems to want to win headers.

Blackman 8 - Didn't have a bad game, got a little lucky with the goal but played well.
Taylor 7.5 - Didn't have a huge impact but the experience would do him well.
Hector 8 - Pretty solid at the back, liked how he got forward, thought he was gonna have a pop after seeing his one at Aberdeen.

[melonhead]

mcarthy 7-distribution questionable
gunter- 8 finally looks settled and solid
pearce 7 dealt with everything in the air
gorkss 8 - so pleased hes managed to recover from last season. legend.
obita 8 great delivery from set pieces, and solid at the back. linked well with jobi
jobi- 8 worked so hard. real captains performance.
mcleary 8- worked hard, no nonsense.
akpan/williams 9 the key to the win imo. hard working, dynamic, disciplined, nice passing and good support of the front players. cant split them on scores.
Pog 8 worked hard, held the ball up well, some nice flick ons with his head
ALF 9 superb.

[LUX]

desperately looking for any Bolton fans in Lux, but it seems they are one of the few clubs without any .

[NewCorkSeth]

So 3 assists from McCleary (2 alfs, Gorkss)
1 from Pog (Alf)
1 from Blackman(Akpan)

Who assisted blackmans goal?

[Royal Ginger]

I don't think Blackman should really be credited with an assist for Akpan, it was the tackle from the Bolton player that put it at Akpan's feet. Blackman's goal was a solo effort.

[MouldyRoyal]

So 3 assists from McCleary (2 alfs, Gorkss)
1 from Pog (Alf)
1 from Blackman(Akpan)

Who assisted blackmans goal?

Pog

[NewCorkSeth]

I don't think Blackman should really be credited with an assist for Akpan, it was the tackle from the Bolton player that put it at Akpan's feet. Blackman's goal was a solo effort.

Someone must have passed it to him at some stage in the build up right? I mean he wasnt just dribbling around the pitch for 5 minutes after throwing it in to himself? And I saw that in the replay but assists have been given for less before!

[PieEater]

Re: the possession stats, doesn't that just show that there are more shots for less possession in the Prem, so it's more exciting than the tedious Spanish league where presumably it's too hot to tackle and they all play a 2-8-0 formation.

[Localroyal]

McCarthy 8 - Not much to do but a good first half save and not sure if he could've done much for the second.

Gunter 8 - Solid at the back, picked up a little more confidence to judging by him losing the ball at the end.
Pearce 8.5 - Solid and made good interceptions.
Gorkss 8.5 - Solid but has to be my favourite moment in the first half him running to intercept and missing it completely sending them through!
Obita - 8 - Great game for him got forward well and defended well too.

McCleary 9 - Brilliant on the wing caused the third from pressure and I think he set another 1 or 2 up?
Williams 9 - Great game in the middle, consistently fouled but battled on and didn't react meaning he didn't pick up a card, hoped for him to grab a goal today!
Akpan 9.5 - Superb in the centre, bossed the game by doing the simple stuff right and scored a lovely goal too.
McAnuff 8.5 - Good game on the left, played some decent stuff.

ALF 10 - Lovely 3 goals, first proved he was up for it following his quick reaction, second was a good run and third was unselfish on McCleary, but he made positive runs all game.
POG 9 - Great game, bossed the back 4, great flip on and he now seems to want to win headers.

Blackman 8 - Didn't have a bad game, got a little lucky with the goal but played well.
Taylor 7.5 - Didn't have a huge impact but the experience would do him well.
Hector 8 - Pretty solid at the back, liked how he got forward, thought he was gonna have a pop after seeing his one at Aberdeen.

Pearce???? He panics too much - only passes to McCarthy or the Crowd - i don't understand why Gorkss was sub'd for Hector..

[SPARTA]

[Royal Ginger]

Post of the day ^

[loyalroyal4life]

Guthrie's best performance for Reading?

Agreed, didn't lose the ball once

[Pepe the Horseman]

Poor guy

[Agent Balti]

Not even the ol' cock and balls treatment could better that pic.

[loyalroyal4life]

Pog had a great game, some great flick ons and link up with Alf

Glad he took the pen and grabbed a goal . They looked decent together albeit against the worst defence I have seen at the Mad Stad

[Royal Ginger]

Not even the ol' cock and balls treatment could better that pic.

I beg to differ...