Ratings: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Rochdale

A late winner. My absolute jam.

The game was the drizzlin' shits, but late winners are brilliant. The best thing ever. Whilst Bolton Wanderers played poorly, who gives a damn.

Well, I do.

Ratings:

Ben Alnwick - 6

A solid outing for our number one keeper, though there was a moment or two of indecision which on another day could've cost us. But it didn't so meh.

Derik Osede - 7

Another excellent display with barely a mistake that I can bring to mind. Really positive again.

Mark Beevers - 7

Slightly better with the ball than Wheater, and equally dominant in the air.

David Wheater - 6

Won his share of aerial battles, but when the ball is at his feet I want to scratch my eyes out.

Andrew Taylor - 6

Struggled to get much support on the left hand side from his forwards, and as a result had no chance but to hit hopeful balls to nobody in particular.

Philip Morris - 8

Our best attacker by a mile. Had the beating of his left back and whipped in some fantastic crosses.

Tired later on but remained dangerous. I really like this lad.

Jay Spearing - 6

His set pieces were inconsistent and he lost a 50/50 for the first time this season.

Liam Trotter - 5

Slow and ponderous. I wondered if the goal at weekend would spur him on, but no.

This performance was everything that everyone has ever said about him.

Josh Vela - 5

When he's not in that attacking role he's basically useless. Poor on the ball and barely able to exert an influence when he had it. Needs to improve and quickly - Parkinson can help with this.

Gary Madine - 7.5

As a striker, Madine was a 2.5. His part in the winning goal aside, I can't remember him getting into the opposition area with any real threat. This part of his game is indefensible, even from his white knight followers.

As a battering ram he was a 7. He did his best in the air, but was often doubled-up on by the Rochdale defence. I'll combine the two scores and then subtract a bit for his appalling dive in the first half.

I'd like the two to balance out one day.

Adam Le Fondre - 5

Really didn't work for him. We have no idea how to use him.

Do we change our style, drop Madine and play to ALF's strengths? Do we persevere with a partnership that doesn't appear to be working? Huge dilemma, but ALF was dreadful and didn't put a foot right all evening.

Subs

Dean Moxey - 5

On for the injured Taylor, he was at his exasperating best, but at least he was kept a mile away from our goal which is exactly where I want him to be.

Tom Thorpe - NA

Chris Long - 6

Lots of energy and enthusiasm, but also a couple of piss-poor dives. I like him though.

Manager

Phil Parkinson - 5

Set up with 3-5-2 again, which was great to see, but still persisted with some really negative football. Made a seemingly odd sub as we chased a winner, bringing on Thorpe for Trotter in a Megsonesque move.

We won though, so who gives a fuck really.