Bolton lost to Blackburn at home for the first time since 2009 after a 1-0 defeat yesterday evening.
Wanderers didn’t play particularly badly, responding well after the goal went in, but they were let down time after time by their final ball into the box.
Before the goal, that probably wasn’t the case, and whether Jonathan Grounds is still playing catch-up or not, he won’t have done himself any favours, the attack for the only goal of the game starting down his side, before a block couldn’t stop Bradley Dack following up and beating Remi Matthews.
From there Bolton had to be and were much more positive, but they couldn’t find a way through. Some of that was down to David Raya, who was in inspired form, saving a good header from Josh Magennis, while Charlie Mulgrew cleared another header off the line. There may have been more chances created, but the wide men were disappointing, with the better performances coming from midfield, Erhun Oztumer looking the best he has looked so far since joining, while Joe Williams was awarded Sky’s man of the match award despite being on the losing side.
Christian Doidge had a late penalty shout, which had been given initially before the assistant ref interjected and his offside call stood.
Magennis needs more support up front though. So many of our chances came from outside the area yesterday. Phil Parkinson’s line about Oztumer being a striker was met with some derision, but it doesn’t matter as such whether he is or not (for the record, he isn’t) – it’s about getting others closer to Magennis, and one extra player isn’t enough, so that means support from midfield.
Just one stat to finish this piece. For the lack of form, we’re 13 points up on this stage last season. Thirteen. It would be nice to win games we’re in with a shout of winning though – we’re inconsistent.