Player Ratings: Bolton Wanderers1-2 Norwich City

ADAM BOGDAN – 6

The Ginger Wotsit’s Bolton Wanderers' home return went smoothly enough overall with a couple of smart but routine stops from Lewis Grabban and Cameron Jerome. He also reacted well to grab the ball after Tim Ream had cleared Graham Dorrans’ goalbound effort away in the second half. There are question marks, however, over his positioning for Gary Hooper’s inevitable winner. Having watched it back again he should have stayed on his line as he was never getting there before the Canaries' striker. His kicking was hit and miss too so Mr Bogdan gets downgraded to a 6 when he was on course for a solid 7.

DORIAN DERVITE – 6

Still making my mind up about this gentleman. He oozes Premier League class but his poor positioning left a chasm for Hooper to wander into and exploit with the deciding strike. It almost seems everything is too easy for him at times and he just switches off because of this. If he could sort out this concentration issue I really think he could be exactly the type of unflappable customer who can lead our defence going forward.

TIM REAM – 7

Our all American hero again adapted to being one of three at the back as well as he has done before. Won his fair share of aerial duels but was crucially beaten by Jerome in the dying minutes, who flicked the ball onto Hooper for the winner.

His goal line clearance from Dorrans epitomises the diligence and awareness with which he now plays every game and he can be happy with his afternoon’s work despite the late blip.

DEAN MOXEY – 7

Gave a good account of himself in an unfamiliar position. This is a much-improved performer from the horror show we saw in his first few outings. Gave the ball away in his own area at one point which led to a good chance for Jerome and was a little tentative on the ball at the start of the game but grew into it and ended the match as our most reliable player. Moxey has impressive levels of stamina, as clearly noted by Neil Lennon as he has used him in a more advanced left wing position in recent games, mainly from the bench. He has certainly changed my opinion of him as a useless git to a useful squad member in making the most of his limited chances thus far and showing admirable versatility to play various roles.

LIAM FEENEY – 5

He may have been patrolling a whole side of the pitch on his own with very little assistance but he was particularly wasteful yesterday. Looks shorn of confidence and wasn’t as expressive at taking on his man, probably realising that Martin Olsson could match him for pace, which if we’re honest is Feeney’s only reliable attribute.

He did beat the Swede once in the 2^nd half but proceeded to then chip a pathetic cross straight into the arms of John Ruddy. Should have been replaced by Saidy Janko a hell of a lot earlier than he actual was.

JOSH VELA – 5

This was the young Salfordian’s worst performance in a Bolton shirt but he still kept going and put himself about until the end. He started the game with almost everything he tried or touched turning to shit. It was his late lunge on Nathan Redmond that led to the free-kick that Dorrans netted, with the huge aid of a deflection from the back of Tom Walker.

He was overrun by the clever triangles and perpetual motion of Norwich’s midfield with Wes Hoolahan, Dorrans and Jonny Howson especially to the fore in this.

Vela will have games like this and we sometimes forget he is a 21 year-old lad in his first full season at the club, not a seasoned professional.

BARRY BANNAN – 7

Not his best game of his loan spell but still the likeliest to create something. He never stops passing and moving, his incessant work rate being an example to the rest of our players.

He loves stopping and turning on the ball in an instant, which seems to fool any player pressurising him. His set piece delivery is impressive and consistent and he did his best in trying to stem the overwhelming tide of Delia’s boys.

EIDUR GUDJOHNSEN – 5

It’s not often that it is said that Eidur is anonymous but on this occasion it has to be. He really struggled to get involved and find any sort of space in which to work his magic. Was kept on 20 minutes longer than he should have been, much like Feeney, as he had no impact whatsoever perhaps due to his exertions in South Wales.

We still love you Eidur, don’t worry son.

TOM WALKER – 7

The young man put in some excellent deliveries throughout the afternoon, with the most obvious being his ball into the corridor of uncertainty that Adam Le Fondre snaffled for our equaliser. He really does put some schwazz on his crosses; some lovely dipping and swerving balls in failed to reach their intended targets unfortunately.

He beat Steven Whittaker all ends up at times, utilising some lovely footwork when playing a one-two between his feet on a couple of occasions to elude the Scottish full-back and he evades challenges really well at times. Ran out of steam a little like quite a few of his teammates and his efforts to go past his man didn’t always come off but he will be a big part of Lennon’s plans I feel.

EMILE HESKEY – 6

The big man won around half of his flick-on’s up against Sebastien Bassong and Russell Martin. Some of the headers he won went nowhere near our players which is partly down to a lack of awareness and movement from our midfield runners and Emile being unable to direct the headers he did win into the right areas. His hold up play was good when the ball was played into his feet but didn’t get much chance to forge an understanding with Le Fondre on the day.

Heskey didn’t get any chances in front of goal and very rarely does and as a striker this is far from ideal. If we are to offer him another year he can’t be considered to be our first choice target man but he would be a good option to bring on in specific games, especially away from home.

ADAM LE FONDRE – 8

Battled manfully against the man mountain Bassong, who once commanded a £9 million transfer fee in his younger years don't forget. Did well to anticipate Walker’s excellent cross to stab the ball into John Ruddy’s net from a matter of yards out. He was always buzzing about trying to make things happen as usual with very little else dropping for him, one looping header late on from a corner cleared easily on the line was the sum total of his efforts on goal, barring his strike obviously. Still unsure whether he is the man we should spunk all our budget on in the Summer but he may just be the best we can get.

SUBS:

NEIL DANNS – 6

Didn’t have much time to make any real impression on the game but helped to tighten things up in midfield as Eidur’s 36 year-old legs had given out.

SAIDY JANKO – 6

Just one run and cross from the on-loan Swiss man in a brief cameo. His time on the pitch should have come a lot earlier.

MANAGER:

NEIL LENNON  - 5

I don’t often criticise him but the substitutions clearly needed to be made a hell of a lot earlier as we had completely ran out of steam and needed fresh legs to drive us on to try and win the game. I’ve no idea what was happening with Mark Davies getting stripped off then staying sat down on the bench during injury time either.

I’m not sure that three at the back works, especially when the wingbacks are maybe not entirely suited to the system. Still made the right choice in dropping Matt Mills, if the rumours are to be believed about his refusal of a new contract.