Five Things: Bolton Wanderers vs Charlton Athletic

Five Things: Bolton Wanderers vs Charlton Athletic

1)    Madness from the Addicks

Firstly, fair play to the few Charlton fans who made the long journey north to face almost inevitable relegation. You are an absolute credit to your club.

As for the Charlton playing staff and coaching team, you have left an awful lot to be desired. There was little to no fight from Charlton and despite relegation not being mathematically certain for the addicks, the game fizzled out and almost felt like a pre-season friendly for both clubs' respective League One campaigns next season.

There was one moment in particular I almost found myself bollocking the Charlton bench as with moments to go and relegation mathematically still avoidable should Charlton grabbed a winner, the addicks inexplicably left two men back for a corner. Absolute madness.

It felt as though they came for a draw that would only confirm their fate, a poor showing and your fans deserve better, you set of cowards.

2)    Pre-match Entertainment

I used the opportunity of arriving early to sample the fanzone experiaince for the first time in quite a while and I must admit, I was staggered to see that things had managed to get worse. technical problems and last minute quiz assembly aside, i found it a shame to see things had deteriorated and this was evident in the choice of entertainment.

Kapital, who I am informed spells his name with a K chose to spit some lyrics for the Wanderers fans who, despite the poor lads requests, I doubt will be tuning in to BBC Radio 1 Xtra to listen in to more of his tracks. Choose you audience Bolton, it wasn't any fun for him or us.

3)    Josh's Big Chance

I'm still to be convinced that Josh Vela's future lies in midfield, in truth I actually think he is beginning to decline as a player, never mind improve. This was a big chance for Vela, at home against a low-ranked side and he was largely anonymous.

It is such a shame to see a local lad of such promise continue to decline and I feel Vela, should he chose to stay, is at a critical point not only in his Bolton Wanderers career but his career in general. It is time to step up Josh, you're not seventeen anymore.

4)      Clean Sheet

I may be wrong as at Lion of Vienna we don't check our facts but I'm led to believe that is our first clean sheet since November. We looked solid defensively and I think a lot of that can be attributed to the Rob Holding David Wheater partnership.

We heard through the Bolton News that Wheater has agreed to waive his £10,000 appearance fee for his final games for the club and I think it will do our young defence a lot of good to be supported by Wheater who I think injuries aside has had a decent spell at Bolton. A lot of people have felt the young defenders involved on Tuesday are likely to feature more for Bolton in the future seasons and I think they coped well.

5)      Derik Osede

The last few weeks have seen for Real Madrid man Derik moved into central midfield  in the place of Jay Spearing who has been frozen out of the side after Liverpool refused to waive a £100,000 payment owed by Bolton should Spearing play again.

Osede did well in the position and seem to thrive with the added responsibility. He seemed to enjoy the opportunity to demonstrate his extensive passing range and maybe he has a future in that position. Time will tell though for Derik and with a new manager coming in, how can we really predict what will happen for Bolton Wanderers in the future.