On Boxing Day, Hull City manager Phil Brown, marched his players into the penalty area at Manchester City and publicly admonished them after a miserable first half display. If such managerial tactics are to become the norm, then Bolton boss Gary Megson will be taking his team into the Town Hall square on Monday afternoon, where they can be pelted with seasonal leftovers.
After recent improvements, the lazy, unprofessional, inept performance against Wigan was something of a shock. If the Ginger One`s charges are trying to get him the sack, then they`ve made an encouraging start. Maybe he bought them rubbish Christmas presents.
In a match devoid of skill, the visitors deserved the three points. Not that they had anything to more to offer in terms of quality, but at least they showed the necessary fitness and commitment.
For all Bolton`s incompetence, they had the chances to take at least a point. Kevin Davies dithered when clean through in the first half, Johan Elmander`s first touch let him down twice and Danny Shittu had an effort cleared off the line, before hitting the bar in the dying stages.
Wanderers fans deserve better than this. The Reebok PR machine is already manufacturing the list of feeble excuses for what was an unacceptable display. An apology would be more appropriate. Followed by an opportunity for supporters to unload all those unwanted Brussels sprouts.
Player Ratings
Jussi Jaaskelainen 7
Saved Bolton a couple of times in the first half, but appeared to be spot welded to his line at times.
Gretar Steinsson 4
Not the best of Icelandic purchases. Kerry Katona got a better deal.
Jlloyd Samuel 6
Solid enough from J-Lo.
Kevin Nolan 1
Slow to think, slow to act, immobile and with the worst balance of any player in the Premier League. Sadly, he wasn’t the worst player on the pitch. That was…
Matthew Taylor 0
At the start of the season, Taylor confessed to drinking more wine than he should have at times, over the summer. Judging by this display he must have spent the entire festive season pissed out of his mind. An unwelcome return to the wretched performances of early season.
Andy O’Brien 5
Solid enough for the most part, until he decided to molest Henri Camara. Had he nicked some of Matt Taylor’s wine before the game?
Danny Shittu 6
Danny played to best of his ability, what there is of it. This involves booting/heading the ball as far as it will go. Not a bad performance, but a better team than Wigan would have punished the three mistakes that he made.
Johan Elmander 7
Let down by a poor first touch on more than one occasion, but the only forward player who looked interested.
Kevin Davies 3
Missed a sitter, won nothing in the air and failed to put Elmander in, when he only had to pass the ball five yards. Didn’t look remotely bothered by his failures.
Ricardo Gardner 5
A quiet day for Ricky.
Gavin McCann 4
Bad Badger.
Mustapha Riga 4
Spent most of the season on the bench. Showed why. Spent most of this match on the floor.
Fabrice Muamba 4
Ran around a lot to no discernible effect.
Brought on to add some much needed pace. Never given the ball. Not logical that.