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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

I do feel for Mccan in his first match as Captain. Expected to do the Mccan role of winning the ball back, but also expected to do the Whiteman role (which isn’t his game). All while Thompson runs round aimlessly pretending to be a professional footballer. Same goes for Iverson I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on my own game with that defence infront of me. I think when the quality arrives they will return to form.
 
Few thoughts...

Subs did change the game. However, should have happened sooner. It feels like the subs are forced upon Hecky, rather than him proactively changing the game. So don't think he deserves any credit here.

Like I said at half time, actually have far more control over the game and less chance of being torn apart when they are more positive. Ball stays higher up the pitch and having Erabi's physicality helps. Also gives us more opportunity to win the ball higher up the pitch and actually occupy their defenders a bit more. Leroy looked to have FAR more quality than others, as I've said.

The blueprint for the next match should be the last 15 mins. It's there for you. 2 up top, allowing Erabi to be a nuisance and giving attacking players a bit more freedom. Offiah at RB, clearly. Wouldn't suprise me if Erabi starts up top alone which would completely negate the threat though, probably means he won't touch the ball or really be able to influence the match and just show more tactictal ineptness. Thoughts...
Good summary. Sadly, I don't think you'll change Heckys mindset or inability to respond to clear signs of things not working. He has a team around him, but the final call is his. His record isn't great - he inherited a good squad at Sheffield U and earned promotion, but hasn't got a lot to be proud of otherwise. If this club is truly serious about moving forward - and recent announcements suggests it is - it needs a progressive manager with the nous to see a problem, the cojons to react to the problem and the strategic vision to be be more creative in his starting line up / formation.
 
That back line was running in slow motion, takes one ball over the top and you’re fucked, Offiah has got to start, he’s our only player at the back who shifts and progresses.

Some of Lindsay’s passing is borderline Sunday league level, was 3 in a row end of second half where he literally passed it 5 yards to a Bolton player.

Centre half much more pressing than striker for me, Erabi looks a real player.

Also; Small has to start over Burgzorg.
 
I've never been one to criticise the manager, but today he has to take his share of the blame.

The starting setup was wrong, and the substitutions came far too late. If he doesn't get his act together quickly, he could become an early casualty.

Thompson and Pol were both dreadful, they were the worst two out of a poor team performance.

Erabi showed exactly the attitude we want to see. I think he started the move for the goal in our half and then had the desire to race into the box and finish it. That's the sort of hunger we've been missing.
 
Trying to play 4 at the back with our current players was always a risk and who to say how a back 4 of Clarke, Offiah, Gibson, Vukcevic/ other, will do if the keeper palms a cross shot to the opposing forward. We were second to the ball all over the pitch but the introduction of Leroy, Erabi and Offiah certainly changed the dynamics of the match and in truth we didn’t deserve an equaliser Evan though we created two great chances late on.
 
Really liked to see Leroy having the confidence to drop deep and demand the ball in that situation, knowing he could do something with it. Very positive
Good summary. Sadly, I don't think you'll change Heckys mindset or inability to respond to clear signs of things not working. He has a team around him, but the final call is his. His record isn't great - he inherited a good squad at Sheffield U and earned promotion, but hasn't got a lot to be proud of otherwise. If this club is truly serious about moving forward - and recent announcements suggests it is - it needs a progressive manager with the nous to see a problem, the cojons to react to the problem and the strategic vision to be be more creative in his starting line up / formation.
Yes, I agree.
 
I do feel for Mccan in his first match as Captain. Expected to do the Mccan role of winning the ball back, but also expected to do the Whiteman role (which isn’t his game). All while Thompson runs round aimlessly pretending to be a professional footballer. Same goes for Iverson I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on my own game with that defence infront of me. I think when the quality arrives they will return to form.
I like McCann, but I don’t think he is a strong enough character to have as a captain ?
 
It's nice to see someone demanding the ball whilst also actually having the quality to do something with it.

Hopefully starts next week.
Very impressed with Leo-A defensive attacking high line should be built around Offiah-On the ball control midfield should be built around Leo -and box poacher attack should be built Erabi.But can Hecky even put 2 sentences together let alone think like that 🤔😭
 
That back line was running in slow motion, takes one ball over the top and you’re fucked, Offiah has got to start, he’s our only player at the back who shifts and progresses.

Some of Lindsay’s passing is borderline Sunday league level, was 3 in a row end of second half where he literally passed it 5 yards to a Bolton player.

Centre half much more pressing than striker for me, Erabi looks a real player.

Also; Small has to start over Burgzorg.
Its not just balls over the top though!
We can't stop the cross, Bolton had all the time in the world to put balls in, thanks to Pol and Hughes not dealing with situations
 
That back 4 and centre midfield 2 was a bad selection. We do need signings to improve things but we did have better options on the bench. So poor choice by Hecky and waited far too long to make changes.

The Bolton promotion bounce was always going to make today harder but we were our own worse enemies.

Don’t really want to be watching Pol, Lindsay, Thompson and also Hughes as left back starting too many games. As mentioned McCann struggled but with Leroy will be able to play his strongest role in the team.

Lindsay and Osmajic should have both scored so that’s disappointing as a point wouldn’t have been the worst result today.

New lads looked decent and with more to come the season should be ok.
 
We deserved sod all from that game
Not arguing that point - just saying we should’ve won it. The cutback from Osmajic, Lindsay’s header both should’ve gone in. Even if just one, then that’s 2-2. Dan’s awful parry was poor, shouldn’t happen. He deals with that better and we win 2-1.

Poor performance
 
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