Bolton Wanderers Man of the Match vs. Barnsley: Jay Spearing

It was a game that Bolton Wanderers should have won. A combination of shots right at Barnsley's goalkeeper, Luke Steele, and some very good saves out of the man meant that Bolton were held to just one goal. That one on the scoresheet came from Kevin Davies on a very nice little half-volley.

Mark Davies also had one of his better games in a Bolton shirt and was almost always involved in Bolton's advances forward. He almost scored a sublime goal for himself late on too with a very good-looking scissor volley from an acute angle. It took a good reaction stop from Steele to stop it.

Unfortunately, because of Bolton's inability to score a second, we couldn't give our Man of the Match award to any of the attacking players.

Instead, our award is going to Jay Spearing for his work on the defensive front against Barnsley. Had it not been for his bulldog-like work ethic in both halves, Barnsley would have had many more chances to end their losing streak with all three points instead of the draw.

On Saturday, at the Reebok, Spearing was the difference that stopped so many Barnsley moves. It was him that broke up decent passing moves and moved the ball straight into attack, involving the other two central midfielders. Bolton look a much stronger defensive side with Spearing in the mix this season.