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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

Well that was abysmal - team selection bemusing and tactically confusing. Why did he not remove the full back in the first half when it was obvious he was struggling to cope and then make nil changes at half time. I have always supported PH and can understand the need to let change settle but today was so blatantly inadequate in so many departments.
 
The starting 11 should have been enough to make a positive start. No issues with that at all. But seeing the fullbacks and tommo struggling as well as Burgzorg and Milly being ineffective as they were, there should have been changes earlier. Devine right was a shocker though. It wasn’t Hecky’s starting 11 that was the problem. It was his reluctance to change things. Although the main issue was the lack of urgency and commitment from the players on the pitch
 
norfolk white said:
It wouldn’t surprise me if Zedan is closely watching PH and how he performs, especially given the amount of money we are spending this transfer window which must be a record high. If PH does not impress as soon as the takeover happens Zedan will then get rid. However, if PH does start to get the lads playing very well together I think he will be given longer to impress.
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Many more performances like that & the writing will be on the wall.
 
Andy Saville's Bald Head said:
Ridiculous tactics from the manager, limited commitment from the players ... May as well not have bothered playing full backs at all! Which other club in world football would sign their record signing md then play him out of position in the first game? Bonkers! Get rid of Heckingbottom right now ... Where te fuck is Zedan ????
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Quite agree. Heckys managerial record isn't exactly stellar. His absolute, stubborn, inability to make changes within a game other than around the 60th minute is a feature that opposition managers must love. It was as clear as day that Pol was struggling. As soon as he did eventually make the changes, things improved . He cannot be part of the structure if things are going to match the ambition shown by recent signings. And neither can Lindsay, Storey or Hughes.
 
Victorthesecond said:
Quite agree. Heckys managerial record isn't exactly stellar. His absolute, stubborn, inability to make changes within a game other than around the 60th minute is a feature that opposition managers must love. It was as clear as day that Pol was struggling. As soon as he did eventually make the changes, things improved . He cannot be part of the structure if things are going to match the ambition shown by recent signings. And neither can Lindsay, Storey or Hughes.
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Hughes was poor yesterday but he is never going to be anything other than a barely adequate stand in at full back. He had a good season at left sided centre half last year and I think can be excluded from the criticism aimed at Valentin, Lindsay and Storey who’ve been consistently poor for some time.

As for the manager, getting beat in itself isn’t the real criticism - although they were absolutely there to be beaten and will be near the foot of the table. The main issues were within the game and were twofold. His selection of Valentin ahead of Offiah was suspect to say the least. Then, his refusal to change things when it was beyond blatantly clear what needed changing. The latter isn’t a small thing.

If you’re going to persevere with your goalkeeper playing long balls down the wing, at least ensure he can keep the ball in play. If you’re going to play through balls for the forward to run onto, at least ensure he and the midfield are singing from the same hymn sheet timings wise. Offside happens too often for it not the a highlighted issue, maybe in training they practice it against Lindsay and Storey!? Thompson is a poor footballer and should be nowhere near in the future. I know it’s not the done thing anymore to throw people in but Leroy didn’t seem to have too many problems getting himself in time with what was going on.

We had chances to even win it but only of any real substance after the changes.
 
Mr Meeseeks said:
Totally forgot until now as well.

How did Sheehan avoid a second yellow?

The referee performance didn’t cost us the game, we did that ourselves, but I thought he was poor all game. A real homer.
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And that blatantly obvious pull on Erabi in the middle that he didn't even bother giving a foul for.

Couldn't believe my eyes when he just carried on letting play go as it was hardly a subtle one.
 
Gordon Bennett said:
I didn’t like the starting lineup either, I’m really looking at the bigger picture.

If Heckingbottom doesn’t get results with the new squad, he’ll be gone. Simple as that.

Maybe I’m just more relaxed about it than some.
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The disappointment was that they played like strangers, but 10 of the starters were here last year. Like you say, let’s see how he copes with his new players, but things will have to improve drastically, if he’s to keep his job.
 
Mr Meeseeks said:
Forgot all about the one until now but yeah, absolutely shocking decision to not even give a foul when it was a blatant booking.
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He also had zero intention of playing the new rules. He waited until the players actually had the ball in their hand for a throw-in to start his countdown, which the Bolton players quickly latched on to and started taking forever to pick the ball up
 
Tarkovsky said:
Aye them cheese and jalapeño ones are actually insane.

Steak is the one I always gan for, proper tackle.
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When I taught in that area, the only way we could tempt the kids in for revision classes during the holidays was by offering them carrs pasties for lunch. We'd order hundreds in and there was usually a few left to take home. Best pasties around. They have a shop at Middle brook just opposite the stadium, too.
 
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