City Versus Bolton

Andy Kiwomya
"You Know"
Lost count of how many times he says those two words.
I've got two for him.
"Do One."

 

You see I was sat watching it seeing a couple of positive things but then remembered we're playing against kids and suddenly they're not positives anymore but merely what should have been happening in the first place.

 

Not an ideal result or performance but certainly some rays of hope based on a few individual performances. Thought Pritchard looked good and Ismail looked like he could be a useful player once fully fit. Actually thought Patrick was quite exciting, always looking to beat his man, just a shame the end product isn’t there. Also thought the back 4 all played reasonably well.

If we actually played 442 we now have some decent wide options and also a solid back 4. We just need to solve the CM conundrum.

 

Apart from the fact that if you miss, you look a proper twonk.

 

So much positivity on here tonight.

 

Maybe. I do think an element of credit goes to their young lads. I know they've been getting their arses handed every week but they played with real spirit. We had chances, hit the post a couple of times, missed a couple of real chances from corners, went near a couple of other times. I'm not dressing it up, but we could easily have had 3 or 4. The main thing for me is that in the second half we did at least get on the front foot. More urgency with the ball, more forward passes, more aggression to win the ball back. Those basics have been lacking in our performances to date.

 

You look silly however you take them if you miss. No techniques guarantee scoring a penalty but some have a higher success rate than others.

 

Pritchard to start on saturday then?

 

Just correcting an incorrect post.

 

And still no sign of McCartan ?

 

Bunting. Don’t forget that.

 

2 weeks

 

Hornby 5 - when he arrived he said he wasn’t here to be a No. 2. He wasn’t joking. He’s third or fourth choice material! He made a hash of the goal and looks little better than Sattelmaier.

French 6 - did his best filling in at RB. Didn’t let anyone down but doesn’t offer same attacking threat Mellor does

Longridge 6 - similar to French really. Not disgraced but didn’t do enough to start on Sat

Richards-Everton - 8 - solid as ever and showed some willingness and urgency with several good runs carrying ball out. Lovely pen in shootout.

P. O’Connor 7 - clawed us back into the game and good to see him get another 90 mins under his belt. Has a bit of class about him.

Devine 4 - his hospital pass to Anderson led to the goal. His natural instinct is to turn backwards and he kills the game. We want confidence and urgency - not him and Anderson together in the same side.

Anderson 5 - sloppy at times and surely he’ll be sweating on his place for Sat.

Gibson 5 - will go to bed very frustrated, fluffing a great chance first half when he hit the post. Also tripped over his own feet early on etc. Not one of his better games.

Pritchard 8 - looked our main attacking threat. Looks a bit like Charlie Adam but crossed for the goal and shaped with plenty of encouragement before being subbed to keep him fresh for Sat.

Donaldson 5 - struggled to influence game before being hooked after an hour to keep fresh for Sat. Hit side netting early on but often chased lost causes and was surprisingly sloppy in possession a few times

Devitt n/a - subbed early with what looked a hamstring injury

Patrick 5 - he must still wonder how Edin gave him a three year deal. He’d struggle in the Conference. Not good enough.

Ismael 5 - worked his way into some good positions but lacked an end product. May need bit more time to get up to speed. Early impression was he seemed a bit head-down-and-hope like ‘Ben Muirhead’

Wood 5 - whipped in a few balls after coming on but nothing to write home about.

Fair play to Bolton’s kids but it was an embarrassing first half performance lacking urgency. The game served a purpose for getting Paudie and Ismael more game time but other than Pritchard and the CB’s we already knew all about, don’t think anyone else really pressed for a start.

Hornby, Anderson, Gibson, Devine and Patrick should be nowhere near the XI if we have top seven aspirations.

 

Thought Devine was awful tonight. Wouldn't surprise me if we ship him out on loan to a non league club, and tonight is his last game for us.

 

With Reeves somewhere

 

Other than that they’ve been getting gubbed. Lost the other four and GD was -17

 

He looked a too hat though. Poor pen straight down middle.

 

Beagrie used to walk away then turn back I think?

 

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Latter penalties