Millwall 0-2 Bolton Wanderers: Immediate Reaction

Wanderers can safely say that the sticky patch they went through is officially over as they chalk up their 4th win in 4 games. In the league that translates to 9 points taken from 9 available which places us 3rd.

The team remained unchanged from the side that put 2 past Oldham. Tom Thorpe passed a fitness test despite having been ill pre-Oldham and ill in the days since. He would end up going off injured with a ankle injury early on. Derik came on for the Oldham man of the match and had a stellar display himself.

Wanderers kicked things off in style with a stunning ranged goal from Jonny's favourite player, Sammy Ameobi. From then on it was a very 'Parkinson's Bolton' performance. We we hard to break down but looked dangerous in flashes. As the game wore on Millwall got more and more of the ball and became more and more frustrated with their inability to break us down. It would be Wanderers who would score late on however. David Wheater seizing on Gary Madine's knock down  to seal the points and give him a chance to flash his 'Get Well Soon Klas' t-shirt - a sentiment we can all echo.

I really am loving how hard we are to break down this year. Some have complained that it's boring but we've been as open as a splayed legged mule since...well pretty much Big Sam's day. It's so great not to start a game knowing the team will have to score 2 to win or that if 1 goal is conceded the team will capitulate. If we can keep up this discipline and form (which with more time to drill them, I can't see why we can't) than it puts us in such a good position for this year.

Our strikers looked a bit quiet today. Gary Madine and Zach Clough both had chances but neither was pulling up tree's as both have at points this season. Luckily the whole team is contributing to the goals. One would hope once Clough and Madine are both up to full fitness they'll look more lively on a consistent basis. Perhaps the fixture congestion is too much for Clough given his great performance on Saturday.

Anyhow, onward to Bury. We meet them with a 4 game winning streak and they meet us with the exact opposite. In days gone by this would have made me wary (as if any Bolton team in recent history could have a 4 game winning streak), but with Parkinson in charge and the players we have, I'm looking forward to it.