Man of the Match v. Queens Park Rangers: Tim Ream

Bolton's tough start to the season continued with the visit of Harry Redknapp's much-fancied Queens Park Rangers. The match was won with a well worked team goal created by the impressive Clint Hill and finished by former England striker Andrew Johnson.

From a Wanderer’s perspective it was a disappointing result coupled by an equally disappointing team performance against Queens Park Rangers. The forever straw-clutching Sky co-commentator, Don Goodman, was keen to point out that despite the failings of the home side, from an individual performance perspective, some positives were on show.

Mr Goodman’s positive analysis included the performance of second-half substitute Craig Davies, so with this in mind, I’ll stick with my own analysis.

Sierra Leone international midfielder Medo Kamara is showing the consistency levels many hoped he would. He was tidy and comfortable in possession and competent in his defensive duties. He was also responsible for Bolton’s best effort on goal, testing the good work of QPR goalkeeper Robert Green with a stinging, curling effort from 25 yards. He perhaps lacked the dynamism that many of the Wanderers’ faithful crave, however, collectively, it was a decent performance.

In attack, for all the hard work, Bolton Wanderers lacked bite. South Korean international Chung-Yong Lee was the only creative spark for long periods of the game. He also gave the Wanderers defence valuable respite, winning countless free-kicks in dangerous areas from the frequent Wanderers counter attacks. Employed in the much-discussed ‘number 10’ role, Lee was frequently making quite effective late runs in between QPR central defenders Richard Dunne and Nedum Onuaha, he can consider himself unlucky not to be found by his team-mates on one of these runs. Chung-Yong was not as effective in the second-half and the introduction of Rob Hall served to inject some lively movement in the final third, albeit too late.

Today’s man-of-match, and I am very pleased to say so, is United States’ defender, Tim Ream. The much criticised defender (myself included in that) was employed into a defensive midfield role to cover the suspended Darren Pratley. Ream distributed the ball very well, looking to keep possession, even in tight spaces, something we lack a great deal. It was evident that Ream was growing in confidence and was showing some of the defensive qualities which made him a very much sought after defender by various Premier League clubs. The performance culminated in a wonderful sliding tackle quashing a pacy-looking QPR counter attack. Well done Tim, a very good and a delightfully assured performance. Maybe second chances even exist at the Reebok?