clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Player Ratings: Leeds United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

Guest writer and Liverpool fan Dec Maher was, for some reason, at the game yesterday. Here's what he thought:

Daniel Smith/Getty Images

Having only followed Bolton Wanderers vicariously this season, I had little expectation as to the quality of football I was about to watch, yet was somehow still disappointed as I watched them take on Leeds United.

Lining up in a 4-4-2 diamond formation Bolton actually started the brighter, on a pitch that looked more like Headingley that Elland Road.

Prior to Antenucci's opener, Zach Clough found himself in space in the Leeds box but his touch let him down, while a goalmouth scramble left the ball motionless for what felt like an age on the Leeds goal line, before it was swept away by a defender.

Clough then looked as if he had broken past the deepest defender when Berardi brought him down, but as it was around 35 yards out the Leeds man only got a yellow card.

When the teams were read out, I overheard a Leeds fan sigh "Fuck's sake" when Antenucci's name was called. Those were also the same words I muttered when he flicked in from 6 yards out to give Leeds the lead, after some woeful marking from a corner. (Clough was marking Bellusci, go figure?)

The Italian doubled the home team's advantage in the second half, bending into the far right corner after his own cross rebounded nicely into his path.

Youngster Kaiyne Woolery's consolation meant that Bolton were on top for the last 20 minutes, but were unable to break Leeds down.

In a game between two poor sides, Leeds' had a little bit more quality in the final third.

Here's how the players did:

Paul Rachubka - 6

Couldn't really do much about the goals, but had a few wayward kicks.

Josh Vela - 6

Did okay at times, but struggled to deal with the double threat of Carayol and Taylor on Leeds' left hand side, and was often exposed when Pratley went wandering infront of him.

Derik Osede - 4

For a defender, he isn't really good at defending. Couldn't head the ball further than 10 yards, and wasn't great on the ball.

Rob Holding - 7

Dominant in the air and calm in possession, was impressed by the young man.

Dean Moxey - 6

Solid but didn't really do anything of note.

Darren Pratley - 5

Ineffective going forward and often neglected his defensive duties, leaving Vela exposed.

Jay Spearing - 8 - MOTM

Only player who actually looked arsed, was tidy in possession and strong in the tackle, including an absolute cruncher than ended young right back Lewie Coyle's afternoon early on.

Mark Davies - 6

One of Bolton's more creative players, but struggled playing on the left hand side of midfield.

Zach Clough - 5

Was excited to see what Clough could do, but was largely ineffective against the physical Diagouraga.

Liam Feeney - 6

Worked hard but didn't really contribute anything, but then again why was he playing up front?

Gary Madine - 5

Didn't look arsed all afternoon.

Substitutes

Kaiyne Woolery - 7

Replaced Vela on 68, added something different and a bit of pace to trouble Leeds defenders, took his goal well.

Liam Trotter - 6

Replaced Pratley on 68, did better than Pratley, but then again that wasn't really hard

Stephen Dobbie - / -

Replaced Clough on 84, didn't do anything.