It is the right of the lazy blogger to bring out the old ‘Groundhog Day’ title once every while, especially when you are now due to meet a club for the fourth time and double especially when you have played out a draw for the third time in three.
So, I’m not going to pretend that I went, although this has nothing to do with apathy and all to do with still living in the smoke. So, and not for the first time, I was having to make do with commentary on the official website, coupled with the BBC website and Soccer Saturday.
For your information, John Helm was Sky’s reporter at the ground. They went to him three times. Unlike the game a couple of weeks ago, this didn’t appear to reflect what was going on on the pitch, but when Crawley are making their way into the fifth round and goals are going in everywhere else, a goalless draw between two unfashionable Premier League clubs isn’t going to make headlines now, is it?
But can a game that had twenty one shots on target between both teams really be all that bad. By all accounts, no. This being a home game for Bolton, though, you would expect that the majority of the shots would have come from the home side and, whilst this was the case, it appears that most of the danger came from Wigan.
The line up suggested that St Owen was looking for a win rather than a tame limp out of the cup. Jussi starting was a surprise, but those that have been calling for a change would have been happy that he dealt with what Wigan had to offer.
An injury to Gretar Steinsson gave the manager the get out of dropping him and Sam Ricketts took his rightful place at right back. Wheater was introduced in place of Gary Cahill to give us a chance to see what our first choice central defence partnership will look like next season, if every media outlet is to be believed.
In midfield, Mark Davies came in for Holden, meaning that an attacking formation was being eschewed slightly, with Muamba being given another chance. The decision to play Petrov and Taylor on opposing wings again was worrying and by all accounts, although Petrov had one of his better games in a white shirt, Taylor played with all the grace of an asthmatic hippo.
Although Klasnic was available, St Owen kept faith with Elamnder and SuperKevinDavies.
As for the game, well you all know where the the BBC Sport website is. I wouldn’t want to comment on the performance, not having seen it.
However, what I can say is that it is obvious that a change in forward line is needed. I am not privy to whether or not Klasnic was fully fit, but the fact that St Owen brought on Robbie Blake rather than the Croatian would suggest he still wasn’t fully fit.
There also needs to be a look at the right wing. It is plain to see that using a left footed midfielder on the right side isn’t working. In fact, it was plain to see that when it was first tried last month. If we were waiting for Lee to come back, then we can just write the last month off.
However, the manager’s refusal to start the majority of the games with a right footed midfielder on the right is worrying. He gave Rodrigo the chance at Chelsea during the Christmas run then played him against Liverpool, Wigan and York. By all accounts he did well. Since then he has come off the bench for every game and by all accounts has done well. So keeping him on the bench yesterday makes little to no sense.
Some are calling for a change in formation, but having had a look at them, they all appear to want to retain the underperforming Muamba in midfield. Maybe a change in formation isn’t the answer. Maybe just shaking the team up a little bit is what is needed. Going back to 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 is a backward step rather than a forward one and smacks of recidivism.
Be careful what you wish for Bolton fans. You may just get it.
Share this article
