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The Ginger Houdini Escapes Again

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Bolton manager Gary Megson ensured that he will have a few more games in charge. as his side secured a fortuitous win at Hull, due mainly to the heroics of goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. There were doubts about Jaaskelainen`s place in the team after understudy Ali Al Habsi`s performances at the back end of last season, but the big Finn, showed why he has been number one for the past decade.

A game which had been high on energy, but low on quality, had a new lease of life, as Hull pressed to equalise, after Matt Taylor`s toe poke had put the visitors ahead, but as Bolton went into panic mode, after looking solid defensively, Jaaskelainen proved unbeatable.

He saved Geovanni`s free kick, in spectacular style after being unsighted and again denied the Brazillian from close range after another set piece had been poorly defended. Most notable was his double save, which thwarted the same player. Brazil 0 Finland 3.

Back to back wins are welcome for the Whites, but if this run is to be sustainable, then long-standing faults need to be corrected, and there is no sign of that happening. Going forward, Bolton are a non-event. At the back, they can`t cope with an injection of pace and the insistence on giving the ball back to the opposition after breaking up an attack will prove costly against more imaginative strikers.

Johan Elmander is a major disappointment. It`s premature to write the record signing off yet, but there is a well founded fear that the Wanderers have acquired a turkey that will still be around after Christmas. The Swede looks unfit, unsuited for purpose and thoroughly miserable.

The downside of picking up points is that Megson will keep his job. Avoiding relegation is the sole objective and that is a wearying experience for any fan. The prospect of watching Bolton`s dispiriting brand of slow motion football will mean that initiatives to keep attendances at an acceptable level will need to be a permanent feature. Can Bolton afford to keep the Ginger One?



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