Was it really that bad?

Look back at the game, big Vic’s header should go in after barely a few seconds, then Oduor fluffs his lines unmarked at the back post.

They aren’t in the first five centre forwards to be selected most likely - and we learnt little we didn’t already know as to their standing from that showing. I’m not convinced about Oduor up front anyway. I’d have him as a reserve wing back if anything. Vic is a squad player, might make the odd bench, when everyone else is fit.

Aside from that, we’ve gone away to a decent and solid league one team with a team containing maybe three or four genuine first choice starters and drawn the game; had we taken chances would have won it.

Bolton only really came into it properly when we made subs to weaken the team even more than it was already - and they hardly bombarded us, they had chances but it’s not like we scraped a draw undeservedly.

There have been much worse cup performances away to lower league opposition, with more first choice players in the team.

I’m not too concerned, I think we need to look at things after five to ten league games, if we take three points on Saturday I wouldn’t be getting carried away either.

 

The overreaction on social media is astounding.

Well it isn’t really there’s some right doppers on Facebook fan pages.

 

The first half was pretty good. Played some good stuff in spells and had a couple of good chances.

The second half was pretty bad, but like you say it was the reserves. We were lacking up front.

 

Finishing was largely woeful, but we created plenty, given we fielded a weakened side.

 

Well the 2nd half was abysmal they were all over us helik was a one man defence, attacks kept coming down williams side. Very poor onto pens jack walton trying to save delfonsos pen was good comedy value I honestly think we could still be taking them now and he wouldn't have saved one.

 

Was the 2nd half abysmal though?

We made substitutions of the experienced first teamers bar Williams & Helik. We finished the game with pretty much the under 23 team, and still drew with a reasonable League 1 team away from home.

I only watched the 2nd half and thought it was a pretty drab game of football and Bolton didn't create anything either.

 

We were OK first half - arguably could and should have put the game to bed. If we had, the social media comments and on here would have been that we had a 2nd string of world-beaters all ready to pounce should our first-choicers get injured or move to Juventus. We are quite reactionary!!

I think the crux of the issue, reading all users comments, is that we only have about 5 guaranteed starters. That leaves us about 20 players chasing 6 spots. They seemingly need game time (I concur) but how the hell do we give that many players consistent game time??

I mean, a cup run might have helped a little

 

Please....CALM DOWN!!!!!
Second game of the season after a great point on Saturday.
WTAF?

 

It's the League Cup. A competition that consists (until the semis and final) of glorified friendlies. Five Championship clubs were dumped out last night by teams from a lower division, probably more to come this evening.

 

No, it wasn't that bad. In fact - a few positives.

Let's remember in our Prem promotion season we lost the second game of the season away at Rochdale in the same cup and some players got a bit of stick back then - they went on to prove the boo boys wrong big time.

 

I dont think theres anything bad about the performance in a way. Some parts were good.

I just dont know why we still have the likes of miller and Victor getting near the first team. There so far off its untrue.

 

It wasn’t bad at all. We looked divisions above the opposition for the opening hour, should have done better in front of goal - although Woodrow’s first minute goal was ridiculously ruled out despite being a yard onside.

It was a side containing a handful of players unlikely to form part of our ‘first choice’ XI. A number of them playing their first 90 in years/months/full stop. Full debut for some of them. Pro debut for another.

And the game ended 0-0, away at Bolton. Penalties are a lottery and there was one bad one from 10 taken. So we exit the cup. And move onto the next game. A minimum of 46 still to play.

I felt the numbers who travelled and their backing throughout was impressive and here’s hoping to see that at Oakwell soon.

 

Careful now.

 

As opposed to slagging players off? I know which I prefer.

 

Missed the first 20 mins where we apparently played our best stuff but no it wasn’t that bad. I’ve seen a lot worse. Carlisle at home 2 seasons ago was horrific. This was a bit of an unbalanced side who lacked a bit of cohesion that weren’t good enough in the final 3rd to get a goal or two.

I couldn’t help but feel Williams should’ve been on the right, Oduor on the left & Miller up top. I don’t really understand why there’s this reluctance to play Oduor at left wing back. He did well at left back when he first broke into the team & he’s good going forward. The position should be ideal for him & with Styles moving centrally he’s surely got to fancy his chances of nailing that position down ahead of Ben Williams or one of the right backs playing on the left rather than getting involved in a 7 way battle with the 3 new signings, Woodrow, Morris & Frieser for a spot in the front 3.

Big plus was Benson, looked the best player on the pitch for me.

 

Yeah I’ve just seen a still which shows Woodrow was onside, their left back or whoever out towards the corner flag played him on.

 

The defender playing Woodrow on is actually right in the line of sight between the linesman and Woodrow. No idea how he's called that as off.

 

Not seen it mentioned - we kept a clean sheet last night & now have 4 other players who can take penalties - just saying

 

It was bad enough for us to help Bolton end a poor run.

 

And the last time we beat Bolton was, when, the Premiership/league?