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Matchday Thread Bolton Wanderers v PNE | 15.08.26 | KO:12:30pm | Championship

Matchday Thread Bolton Wanderers v PNE | 15.08.26 | KO:12:30pm | Championship

newy said:
A good finisher does not pass the ball when one on one with the keeper
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It’s irrelevant. He didn’t attempt a shot, because he made a judgement that the pass was a better option.

I’d say he takes more big chances than not. Which is why the decision made today was so baffling. I’m not trying to justify it, but I don’t accept he’s a poor finisher. My assumption would be that his confidence is relatively low.
 
I can’t even summarise the line up and first 1/2 performance but how on earth Thompson and Pol came out for the second period is beyond belief.
Both were on yellow cards and were reds waiting to happen.
Should have sneaked a draw in the end but no way on earth we deserved anything.
 
Doyler said:
This sounds confusing, maybe you could help me.

I was under the impression the manager made a substitution at half time just last week.

Against WBA, just four games from the end of last season, he made a substitution at half time.

So I think you’re the confused one avtually, not me.
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Thats why you should always check who people are responding to, otherwise you get the wrong end of it. I was replying to Southern Softie, who was Having a go, so I played a long. Hope that helps your confusion.
 
If there’s interest in Milly we should get rid. The two lads up top for Bolton today showed how it should be done if your game plan is to go long and get in behind, strong as f*ck, not afraid to pull the trigger and worked there socks off, challenged for absolutely everything!

Lang is pedestrian, looks shit scared to open up incase his hammy goes again!

Thompson, nothing to say about him!

Burgzoid not sure what he’s good at?

Devine needs to be central through the middle, offers nothing floating about out wide.

Back four are absolutely stinking until Odel and Vuk came on.

Heckingbottom will get potted months into the season, if this is what has come of a full pre season, players looked like strangers, if they have they been training with a back four it’s not shown any promising signs today, you also can make subs at half time!

Erabi and Leroy looked the part when they both came on, Small also looked way more of a threat than Burgzoid or Lang!
 
Just got back from Horwich. We lost that because of that lineup. Didn't expect Leroy or Small to start so won't judge that, but Pol is poor defending and going forward so offered nothing and got rinsed. Having Burgzorg on the wing who likes to take up central positions, without any proper overlapping full back, was dumb. These two were wrong selection choices made.

Then you've got two CBs who are poor with the ball. Two CMs who struggle to progress the ball and one of those who is just poor with the ball full stop. It's no wonder we were torrid in the first half bar the one big chance.

Was better with the substitutions that were made. Should hopefully be a glimpse of how we will be able to play with Leroy and Small starting and hopefully other new signings. Should've come away with at least a point with the fluffed chances, and thanks to a horror parry from Iversen. But painfully obvious we need another centre half.
 
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With Burgzorg I thought they had Pol/Lang figured out quite early so could focus all their energy on constructing the Hughes/Burgzorg side and switching to target Pol/Storey when in possession. Schumacher was ruthless in targeting that flank, and Heckingbottom lacked a response
 
Really impressed with Devine, Leroy and Erabi.

Devine looked so comfortable on the ball and played a part in most of our best chances today. Leroy will be a brilliant player for us, I can feel it. It’s not a surprise he was playing European football last season. He already looks like an absolute coup and was playing at a level above the rest of the team at times, Devine aside. But early days of course.

However, a really poor performance overall. Bar the odd chance, it took us 80 minutes to get going and play as a team moving forward.

We undoubtedly need a minimum of 2 CB’s, though I would say 3. I pray that the new direction we’re going in transfer wise will see us prioritise this. We can’t see out another season with Lindsay and Storey.
 
Mitsuya said:
With Burgzorg I thought they had Pol/Lang figured out quite early so could focus all their energy on constructing the Hughes/Burgzorg side and switching to target Pol/Storey when in possession. Schumacher was ruthless in targeting that flank, and Heckingbottom lacked a response
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To think we went for the gobshite Lowe when it was clearly Schumacher who was the talent.
 
OB1 said:
I don’t think I’ve ever hated a North end player more than Liam Lindsay. Threat in the box my arse
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He’s certainly a threat, just to our own defence.

I don’t think I’ve ever wanted rid of a North End player more than him, and his partner in crime Storey.
 
Final Stand said:
Can’t imagine Shearer doing it ? Aren’t all strikers/finishers supposed to be a bit greedy?
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Shearer always used the assumption there was a 50/50 chance he fluffs it if he takes the shot on. If he squares it, there's a 50/50 chance the pass doesn't make it, and a 50/50 chance the teammate fluffs it if the pass does reach him!!
So the percentages are, you always take the shot on.!!!
 
I've just about calmed down after watching that first half.

On what fucking planet does Pol start over Odel? When I saw the team I thought does Hecky think its still pre season and its a 'minutes in the legs' job??

Only positives were Leroy looks absolutely class, Erabi looks made for Championship football and Devine was good, but we already know that.

We need a centre half big time.
 
Glad I couldn’t watch.
Inadequate pre-season programme and preparation is completely on Heckingbottom. As was that stupid team selection today and nil subs at half time.

Lazy Pete brought Heckingbottom to the club just because he played 3-5-2. That no longer works in football anymore and Heckingbottom is clueless how to set up in any other way. He’s a really poor coach. Sooner this takeover gets done the better. Day 1 get him sacked.
 
Just got home. We lost that before the whistle. Iine up was shite & a double pivot of mcann-Thompson is always going to be tough to watch.

Should have gone 532 from start with players available, got foot in the game and looked to change to a 4 if needed.

Hecky got it wrong today imho.
 
york white said:
Glad I couldn’t watch.
Inadequate pre-season programme and preparation is completely on Heckingbottom. As was that stupid team selection today and nil subs at half time.

Lazy Pete brought Heckingbottom to the club just because he played 3-5-2. That no longer works in football anymore and Heckingbottom is clueless how to set up in any other way. He’s a really poor coach. Sooner this takeover gets done the better. Day 1 get him sacked.
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Well... I can tell you didn't watch because we didn't play 3-5-2.
 
PH got it wrong today in so many ways
The starting 11 was poor. Pol should be nowhere near a RB. Got ripped apart today.
Offiah much better and should have started.

Thompson not a championship midfielder and hopefully won’t be anywhere near the starting 11 when we get Leroy and McConnell up to speed
Lindsey and Storey it’s the same old shit
Osmajic spent most of the game offside

One thing what frustrated me is that everyone could see how poor it was and PH doesn’t make any changes at half time when we are crying out for change.
PH has got limited time unless he changes things.

Positives
Leroy, Erabi, Devine all looked good but we know we need better quality and as I’ve said previously we will get it.
 
Would be delighted if we never see Pol in the team again

And without reading back may have been mentioned, anyone else think we could do with an upgrade in the nets ?

Dan hasn’t looked comfortable at all for a while now

Terrible parry for the first , almost gifted another dropping the ball

And seems to be getting even worse with his distribution

Not blaming him for the defeat because that starting line up was horrible

His credit in the bank though is sliding fast

Hope he has a solid game next weekend, he needs one
 
Didn’t watch it all after we went 2-0 as couldn’t be arsed with the useless lot & doesn’t sound like I missed much.

Lindsay is a liability in both boxes. How on earth he gets in the team is beyond me. Yeah Gibson was suspended but dearie me if he’s a Championship footballer so am I.

We still need some new guys through the door & pronto.

After all the positivity of the announcement yesterday they certainly know how to bring you back down to earth.
 
HunterLionheart said:
Well... I can tell you didn't watch because we didn't play 3-5-2.
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Obviously I know that.
You miss my point.
Hecky can play in no other way, never has, so we’ll struggle badly with him in charge. He can’t coach defenders despite being one so has always gone with safety in numbers.
 
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