Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
From my seat: Bolton (A)
By Ken Buckley :: 26/11/2011
26 Comments (»Last)
The team news was texted through and it did not make pretty reading and the bench put a real dampener on. Bare bones it was and I was left hoping that the form Bolton are in at present losing 5 of their last 6 home games would help. I then noticed we had parked at St Joseph's... so divine intervention was sought.
We started well and Coleman had a good run but ended up showing too much of the ball to the fullback on the by-line and the ball was swept from him. Then from a Baines free-kick a glancing Jags header was pushed away by the keeper. We then forced a couple of corners which resulted in scrambles and the ball being shuffled away by a desperate defence.
We had a comic moment at the other end which could have been disastrous when Klasnic was put in and Jags seemed to run away from him leaving him with the freedom of the box and time to crack a good shot in, which Howard did well to push away.
The game was now a bit ragged and Bolton having better possession but not getting very far when, out of nothing, Wheater took a heavy touch with the ball going to Bilyaletdinov and he tried to make up for his error by lunging in studs-up and Bilyaletdinov thrown up in the air. Straight red was ref Oliver?s verdict.
Maybe it would be our day as we had some 70-odd mins to go, 11 v 10... Then, up until half-time we pressed but it all seemed too frenetic and chances were snatched at rather than clinically dealt with.
Cahill was in the thick of things and had a header hit a defender and the keeper saved one after a good cross from Bilyaletdinov. Eagles had one saved by Howard before the keeper punched away a good shot from Klasnic.
You could be forgiven for not noticing it was 11 v 10 as the Blues were showing more anxiety in not converting chances rather than using good joined-up stuff to pull the opposition about; in this respect, only Baines, Fellaini and Osman seemed to grasp the meaning of 'play through them'. Bilyaletdinov was showing well going forward but everything he tried seemed to flounder at the edge of the box by desperate Bolton bodies sprawling to clear.
Half-time and the rain was of tropical proportions with the Blues damp in front of goal. Would we see a change? No was the answer.
Second half started and it looked as though the manager had reminded the players it was 11 v 10 and to remember the training ground routines that are supposed to prepare teams for this eventuality and it paid off with less than 5 mins gone when the switched-on trio got together and Osman fed the very impressive Baines on the left, his reaction was superb as he crossed first time and found Fellaini making the ground and poking home much to the delight of the sell-out away end.
Deadlock broken, something to hold on to... could we now go on and finish the job off in good style? Well... not quite. We did continue to do the pressing, none more than Baines marauding down the left and creating chances and causing havoc to the Bolton rearguard. Chances came but both Bilyaletdinov and Saha both shot straight at the keeper when better was expected.
Bolton broke when they could and no-one of a Blue persuasion could relax and so it was that we had a real scare when a through ball found Klasnic leaving our rearguard for dead and only the feet of Howard prevented 1-1. That was probably the best chance of the match and the last as far as the hosts were concerned.
We continued to press and both Saha and Cahill were wasteful... in fact, this was the game that Cahill had his very best chance to end his goal drought but, on the day, nothing went his way and he was guilty of some misses that the Cahill of yesteryear would have gobbled up.
Saha came into much the same category so on 75 mins Saha was replaced by Vellios and the Greek made his mark with some 10 mins to go when the excellent Baines again went on a surging run and crossed for Cahill at the far post who showed true striker's instincts by looking up and seeing Vellios at the far post and from a mid air position hooked the ball back across goal for the simplest of tap-ins. Now the away end was bouncing where it had been rather muted until that second went in and then it was all the songs, full pelt, with the Moyes song bringing a wave.
It was game over and we just had the regulation run-the-clock-down subs as Cahill gave way to Barkley just before the board went up and then Gueye for Bilyaletdinov after the board had been up. Final whistle 2-0 and a clean sheet; I think I will have a word with St Joseph before the next match. Even the rain stopped at the end of the game.
MotM ? Baines
Overall, a welcome three points from a game that only highlighted the things we already know about paper-thin squads and the urgent need for investment so that the team can have a rebalancing job that permits the right-shaped pegs in the right-shaped holes but that is for other people and future times. Considering today?s team, I thought we did at times try to retain the ball and play it a little but were too easily spooked into rash decisions with our best spell of ball retention saved for the run-the-clock-down period, it would have done credit to the very top teams.
Stoke next and that brings its own problems so the Finch Farm medics may have as big a say as the manager. See you there.
UP THE BLUES
Reader Comments (26)
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Michael Kenrick
2 Posted 26/11/2011 at 22:54:13
2 Posted 26/11/2011 at 22:54:13
Cahill seemed a bit more involved than of late but two moments in the first half puzzled me:
- A deep cross from the left by Baines, he watched it all the way, and was all alone on the far side of the goal area, but just let it bounce harmlessly a foot or two away from him ? why didn't he attack the ball?
- Then, one of Everton's more pacey attacks where three or four were getting forward and really putting Bolton under pressure, Baines curled a beautiful ball around the defence and seemingly straight into his path... but he just let it swerve past him rather than throwing himself at it, and what looked like a glorious chance was lost.
Brendan McLaughlin
3 Posted 26/11/2011 at 22:55:36
3 Posted 26/11/2011 at 22:55:36
Top post as always Ken... I'm sure some miserables will disagree...... Calling Andy....
Dick Fearon
4 Posted 26/11/2011 at 23:09:05
4 Posted 26/11/2011 at 23:09:05
Even Ossie put in a shift, not great mind but not bad.
I can not quibble at Ken's choice of Baines as MOM. My preference was Fellaini who nullified Kevin Davies as well as getting forward.
I can not quibble at Ken's choice of Baines as MOM. My preference was Fellaini who nullified Kevin Davies as well as getting forward.
Gavin Ramejkis
5 Posted 26/11/2011 at 23:16:31
5 Posted 26/11/2011 at 23:16:31
Happy with the result but Moyes needs to look at Saha on his own and realise it just isnt working, Cahill improved but still not the Cahill of old, laboured but got the result in the end, very tidy finish by Velios.
Brendan McLaughlin
6 Posted 26/11/2011 at 23:41:37
6 Posted 26/11/2011 at 23:41:37
Gavin #5
You're wavering....
You're wavering....
Michael Winstanley
8 Posted 27/11/2011 at 00:30:37
8 Posted 27/11/2011 at 00:30:37
Great report Ken.
I thought we attacked in numbers today but often felt we rushed it. More intelligence on the ball is required.
Saha came too deep for my liking, would like to see him play with Velios, who took his goal very well indeed.
And praise for Bily. I thought he had a decent game and showed flashes of quality. Will he get a run in the side?
MoTM was Fellaini for me. Thought he was everywhere, kept it simple and scored a great goal.
We're improving.
I thought we attacked in numbers today but often felt we rushed it. More intelligence on the ball is required.
Saha came too deep for my liking, would like to see him play with Velios, who took his goal very well indeed.
And praise for Bily. I thought he had a decent game and showed flashes of quality. Will he get a run in the side?
MoTM was Fellaini for me. Thought he was everywhere, kept it simple and scored a great goal.
We're improving.
Gavin Ramejkis
9 Posted 27/11/2011 at 00:45:13
9 Posted 27/11/2011 at 00:45:13
Wavering from what Brendan? I say it as I saw it, Saha said last season he can't do the lone striker anymore. I'm not disappointed with 3 points but we laboured to get them against 10 men for most of the game. Cahill had improved but not as good as he once was and finally a tidy finish from Vellios, so what exactly am I wavering from?????
When the team plays well I will say so, I think they played ok not well and said so.When they play shite, I'll also say so... and when Gollum makes one of his trademark mistakes which I think costs us a game, I will also say so.
When the team plays well I will say so, I think they played ok not well and said so.When they play shite, I'll also say so... and when Gollum makes one of his trademark mistakes which I think costs us a game, I will also say so.
Eric Myles
10 Posted 27/11/2011 at 01:40:09
10 Posted 27/11/2011 at 01:40:09
Ken "the Blues were showing more anxiety in not converting chances rather than using good joined-up stuff to pull the opposition about"
Exactly what the commentators were saying on the telly, and how our attack would run straight forward at goal into a pack of Bolton defenders rather than pulle them wide and about the pitch.
Miachael #2, I can only think Cahill is carrying an injury and can't fully stretch to those sort of balls. He just didn't seem to make an effort which is not like the Cahill we know. Great cutback for the goal though.
Exactly what the commentators were saying on the telly, and how our attack would run straight forward at goal into a pack of Bolton defenders rather than pulle them wide and about the pitch.
Miachael #2, I can only think Cahill is carrying an injury and can't fully stretch to those sort of balls. He just didn't seem to make an effort which is not like the Cahill we know. Great cutback for the goal though.
James Flynn
11 Posted 27/11/2011 at 01:55:00
11 Posted 27/11/2011 at 01:55:00
So 8th place after 12 games? That's relegation territory, no? I've been hearing so much on here about relegation. Moving up into 8th place, that's bad, correct?
Pardon my confusion. It's just that I keep reading Everton and relegation used in the same sentence. Moving up the table is good?
Oh well. Forget it. Come On You Blues!
Pardon my confusion. It's just that I keep reading Everton and relegation used in the same sentence. Moving up the table is good?
Oh well. Forget it. Come On You Blues!
Ernie Baywood
12 Posted 27/11/2011 at 02:12:08
12 Posted 27/11/2011 at 02:12:08
I know it's not exactly breaking new ground to praise Vellios but how good could he actually be?
To me looks technically pretty good and doesn't lack pace. Add to that he's a big unit not afraid of putting himself around and has decent work rate. You see lots of players with those attributes who just don't find the net but Vellios has that confidence about him - prepared to take things on and back himself in.
Again good players don't always turn out well - but you occasionally see someone who just seems to have a knack of grabbing goals.
I'm not sure I've seen this at Everton before. A bloke who can play a bit, works hard, has confidence in a team that generally lacks it, and gets the tap ins.
Could he actually be something? Seems to have some indefinable qualities to add to his obvious ones?
To me looks technically pretty good and doesn't lack pace. Add to that he's a big unit not afraid of putting himself around and has decent work rate. You see lots of players with those attributes who just don't find the net but Vellios has that confidence about him - prepared to take things on and back himself in.
Again good players don't always turn out well - but you occasionally see someone who just seems to have a knack of grabbing goals.
I'm not sure I've seen this at Everton before. A bloke who can play a bit, works hard, has confidence in a team that generally lacks it, and gets the tap ins.
Could he actually be something? Seems to have some indefinable qualities to add to his obvious ones?
Rahman Talib
13 Posted 27/11/2011 at 04:53:52
13 Posted 27/11/2011 at 04:53:52
How sure are we that Velios won't turn up to be another Micheal Branch who eventually had to resort to scoring goals from balls that was meant to be put out so that an injured player on the field can be treated?
Michael Kenrick
14 Posted 27/11/2011 at 04:28:59
14 Posted 27/11/2011 at 04:28:59
Point of Order.
I was called out by the moaners and naysayers for daring to point out that the Lord of Loquacity, one Stuart Hall, got one of our goalscorers horribly shamefully criminally totally wrong (Cahill?!?) ? and on national radio no less.
And here we have Ken Buckley, exponent of the masterly Match Report... and what do I see but an error of similar execrable magnitude?!?
Dilemma: Should I point it out and risk the opprobrium of the apologists?
What the hell... In for a penny, in for a pound:
The person who crossed for the first goal was Bilyaletdinov ? NOT Baines.
I trust this startling revelation does not affect the selection of Baines as MotM?
I was called out by the moaners and naysayers for daring to point out that the Lord of Loquacity, one Stuart Hall, got one of our goalscorers horribly shamefully criminally totally wrong (Cahill?!?) ? and on national radio no less.
And here we have Ken Buckley, exponent of the masterly Match Report... and what do I see but an error of similar execrable magnitude?!?
Dilemma: Should I point it out and risk the opprobrium of the apologists?
What the hell... In for a penny, in for a pound:
The person who crossed for the first goal was Bilyaletdinov ? NOT Baines.
I trust this startling revelation does not affect the selection of Baines as MotM?
Pat Finegan
15 Posted 27/11/2011 at 04:51:32
15 Posted 27/11/2011 at 04:51:32
James (10) didn't you hear? 13 teams are getting relegated this year. We're screwed!
Vellios has the best goals-per-minute in the league. He is averaging 1 goal every 52 minutes which is almost 2 per game. He's obviously not going to be able to keep that up all season but it illustrates how well he's doing. Ernie (11) if you ask me, he's something already.
I thought MotM was Coleman. Looked threatening every time he had the ball. Good to see him regaining some form.
Vellios has the best goals-per-minute in the league. He is averaging 1 goal every 52 minutes which is almost 2 per game. He's obviously not going to be able to keep that up all season but it illustrates how well he's doing. Ernie (11) if you ask me, he's something already.
I thought MotM was Coleman. Looked threatening every time he had the ball. Good to see him regaining some form.
Brian Hill
16 Posted 27/11/2011 at 05:05:36
16 Posted 27/11/2011 at 05:05:36
Decent performance, we controlled possession for the most part.
I agree with other correspondents who identify Saha as a fading force ? he desperately needs support; failing that, use him as an impact sub. I felt Fellaini should have ventured forward more often ? look what happened when he did... but that may be being overly critical as it was another commanding display from him.
Very pleasing to see Baines back on song as his form has been indifferent for a few games. Bilyaletdinov should gain confidence after his best game for a long time... ditto Heitinga, who looked composed and untroubled.
Good to see Howard claim a few crosses, it reassures the defence enormously. I feel Vellios has a lot of potential and may be worth a starting position ahead of Saha (or Cahill, if DM is unwilling to omit Saha). Cahill was another who played better than he has recently, but still is way short of his best. I really wonder about his fitness.
In conclusion, nothing special, but a good result at a ground where we often struggle (remember last season?). More promising signs than have been evident of late.
I agree with other correspondents who identify Saha as a fading force ? he desperately needs support; failing that, use him as an impact sub. I felt Fellaini should have ventured forward more often ? look what happened when he did... but that may be being overly critical as it was another commanding display from him.
Very pleasing to see Baines back on song as his form has been indifferent for a few games. Bilyaletdinov should gain confidence after his best game for a long time... ditto Heitinga, who looked composed and untroubled.
Good to see Howard claim a few crosses, it reassures the defence enormously. I feel Vellios has a lot of potential and may be worth a starting position ahead of Saha (or Cahill, if DM is unwilling to omit Saha). Cahill was another who played better than he has recently, but still is way short of his best. I really wonder about his fitness.
In conclusion, nothing special, but a good result at a ground where we often struggle (remember last season?). More promising signs than have been evident of late.
Ernie Baywood
17 Posted 27/11/2011 at 05:16:08
17 Posted 27/11/2011 at 05:16:08
Rahman, Branch was one of the players I was specifically thinking of. I always remember seeing him tear a team apart at Goodison, I think it was Sheff Weds and it might have been his full debut or maybe full home debut. He was all anyone could talk about afterwards, yet he didn't score in that game, nor prolifically thereafter.
Pat, it's pretty impressive isn't it? But you take the goals in isolation and two of them have been fairly simple chances. The fact is though that he's scored both and against Bolton that looked the finish of a guy with no confidence problems whatsoever. Didn't slash at it, just casually rammed it home. We're the team that has lots of pressure and then misses those chances - maybe not anymore?
Pat, it's pretty impressive isn't it? But you take the goals in isolation and two of them have been fairly simple chances. The fact is though that he's scored both and against Bolton that looked the finish of a guy with no confidence problems whatsoever. Didn't slash at it, just casually rammed it home. We're the team that has lots of pressure and then misses those chances - maybe not anymore?
Eric Myles
18 Posted 27/11/2011 at 07:21:37
18 Posted 27/11/2011 at 07:21:37
James #10, we're 7 points away from relegation after only 12 games.
That's 24 games left.
Not exactly safe is it?
That's 24 games left.
Not exactly safe is it?
Ernie Baywood
19 Posted 27/11/2011 at 09:11:08
19 Posted 27/11/2011 at 09:11:08
Must. Avoid. Pedantry.
Did it, phew.
Did it, phew.
Matt Traynor
20 Posted 27/11/2011 at 10:40:20
20 Posted 27/11/2011 at 10:40:20
James, #10, I'm pretty sure Blackpool were 4th at one point last season.
As Ferguson said after their draw today, he'll worry about where they are in relation to their noisy neighbours in April.
As Ferguson said after their draw today, he'll worry about where they are in relation to their noisy neighbours in April.
Nick Entwistle
22 Posted 27/11/2011 at 12:16:43
22 Posted 27/11/2011 at 12:16:43
Relegation worries? Some people seem to want failure so they can prove they were right about Moyes all along.
Kevin Sparke
23 Posted 27/11/2011 at 12:12:24
23 Posted 27/11/2011 at 12:12:24
Good report Ken - though Michael is bang to rights with it being Bilyaletdinov the provider for the first goal.
As one of Bilyaletdinov's more vocal critics in recent times it gives me loads of pleasure to say the 'kid' done good yesterday - I've just watched the game again on Football First and he was actually looking for the ball and making space for himself and his ponderous decision making whilst in possession actually looked sharp - perhaps he needs a hard kick in the ankle before he comes to life!?
As one of Bilyaletdinov's more vocal critics in recent times it gives me loads of pleasure to say the 'kid' done good yesterday - I've just watched the game again on Football First and he was actually looking for the ball and making space for himself and his ponderous decision making whilst in possession actually looked sharp - perhaps he needs a hard kick in the ankle before he comes to life!?
David Hallwood
24 Posted 27/11/2011 at 12:14:23
24 Posted 27/11/2011 at 12:14:23
Great report as ever Ken, who needs the Sunday papers. I think comparisons with Branch are pointless. Branch is an Owen/Linacre type of player-zee fox ins zee box, who just didn't cut it in the top flight; whereas Vellios is a Saha/Droga/Sharp type of player and as such brings a lot more to a team than just goals and when he's got more experience looks like a natural target man.
Ernie Baywood
25 Posted 27/11/2011 at 12:33:23
25 Posted 27/11/2011 at 12:33:23
Maybe the death of people involved in football should be left alone for a bit now given what's happened to one our former players.
Re: Michael Branch - I wasn't really comparing them as such. I was saying that Vellios appears to have something that goes beyond his obvious attributes. Could be luck or could be class. I guess time will tell.
Re: Michael Branch - I wasn't really comparing them as such. I was saying that Vellios appears to have something that goes beyond his obvious attributes. Could be luck or could be class. I guess time will tell.
Si Mar
26 Posted 27/11/2011 at 13:03:17
26 Posted 27/11/2011 at 13:03:17
Im delighted with the win yesterday despite all the utter negativity which is written above but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Im shocked and upset at the news of Gary Speed and my thoughts are with his family.
Its completely irrelevant now and hope its not in bad taste but I wonder when everything passes somewhere in the future will it ever come out about why he really left Everton?
Im shocked and upset at the news of Gary Speed and my thoughts are with his family.
Its completely irrelevant now and hope its not in bad taste but I wonder when everything passes somewhere in the future will it ever come out about why he really left Everton?
Roman Sidey
28 Posted 27/11/2011 at 15:04:30
28 Posted 27/11/2011 at 15:04:30
Tragic in the highest order. A great servant to the game lost. Makes all this debate and arguing seem petty and pointless. Peace be the journey, Gary.
On Everton, glad to see Michael point out that Bily put the cross in for the first goal. It was a good report, but with subtle digs at Diniyar occuring earlier, it seemed that giving someone else credit was subconsciously deliberate.
I've usually been unhappy with Fellaini, but today he was very good. Better than Baines I feel.
Cahill, despite not scoring, was impressive, and played as an out and out forward, which was refreshing from Moyes.
Not sure if they looked this way because of each other, but Heitinga was class while Jags looked like a little kid trying but failing to play with the big boys.
On Everton, glad to see Michael point out that Bily put the cross in for the first goal. It was a good report, but with subtle digs at Diniyar occuring earlier, it seemed that giving someone else credit was subconsciously deliberate.
I've usually been unhappy with Fellaini, but today he was very good. Better than Baines I feel.
Cahill, despite not scoring, was impressive, and played as an out and out forward, which was refreshing from Moyes.
Not sure if they looked this way because of each other, but Heitinga was class while Jags looked like a little kid trying but failing to play with the big boys.
Paul Brannan
29 Posted 28/11/2011 at 00:34:16
29 Posted 28/11/2011 at 00:34:16
Michael Branch was a good player in a shit team; it destroyed his confidence. In the Sheffield Wednesday game, he tore Des Walker a new one.
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1 Posted 26/11/2011 at 22:46:38