Catching Up - February 2018 Bolton Wanderers Review

After appearing shamefully quiet in recent weeks due to technical issues out of my hands, article ideas and publications have been regrettably few and far between. Still unable to access our usual engine room, I’m having to make do with relying on one of my senior colleagues to upload this for me. So, as ever, bare with me.

Within the last few weeks, I’d unfairly volunteered to take on numerous match-day duties with no end product, so for those non-existent post-match stories, I apologise and take responsibility for. I also have another article in the works for my Social Media series, but again, I’m unable to access the story to edit and get it out to you so watch this space for that one.

Other than that, I’d planned to publish a couple of feature pieces including a plea to manager Phil Parkinson regarding his team selections, Adam Le Fondre’s appearances in particular. However, that now seems rather out of date given that he is gradually becoming as favoured as many a Bolton Wanderers fan would like.

With all my previous articles now very much out-of-date and with March now upon us, what better time than to do a round-up of everything thats happened in the last month since the publication of my latest article on Transfer Deadline Day.

First up is our impressive win against promotion chasers Bristol City. Sammy Ameobi’s second half breathtaking solo effort was enough to take all three points from the game under the lights in front of the Sky camera’s and the nation. Zach Clough and Tyler Walker both made their debuts during the first game of the month, impressing the home fans on their respective return and first appearance.

The following week, Wanderers returned to action at the Macron to face Fulham. A relatively non-eventful 1-1 draw other than the manner in which we equalised against the visitors. Adam Le Fondre’s wonder goal with his first touch after coming on salvaged a point for Bolton against an in-form Fulham side who weren’t for being broken down. A good point in the grand scheme of things.

A few days later, the team made the long trip down to Cardiff only to be fairly easily brushed aside by the hosts. Despite the absence of Gary Madine, Two City goals inside the first 45 meant we were effectively beaten before half time rolled around and is therefore definitely one to be forgotten, sorry for reminding you.

The next Saturday saw Wanderers on the road once again, this time to the capital. Loftus Road the venue for our next league clash vs QPR and another scenario in which we rolled over and conceded two soft goals which wasn’t for being matched and with Mark Little’s late challenge rescinding us to ten men, it was another lost cause unfortunately. It can only get better right?

Right! Sunderland at home was next up and arguably, our best chance of three points all month. Despite a rather questionable line-up, we managed it. Zach Clough forced home his first goal back in a white shirt from a dangerous set piece to give Bolton the win, increasing the gap between us and the Mackems in the on-going relegation scrap.

The final game of the month was arguably the best result of them all, managing to take a point and retaining a clean sheet at Carrow Road was one of Bolton’s best performances all season. A hard fought draw against Norwich was a result which many of our ‘mini league’ rivals haven’t been able to match and one which many others have struggled to replicate too. A fantastic end to the month by all accounts then. Out of the relegation zone, looking good and with rumours of two additional signings of free agents on the way, things were looking up.

As February came to a close, we did in fact snap up two more players. Jan Kirchhoff and Chinedu Obasi have both joined the club on short term pay-as-you-play deals until the end of the season and are two excellent additions to the team.

I should really stop there given that February’s shenanigans have all been covered. However, our most recent 2-0 defeat to Preston saw us fall in to disrepair once more and was far too easy for the visitors. Just as we looked to have gotten out of the habit of rolling over and accepting defeat, a much better Preston side on the day was one we couldn’t compete with and in all fairness, we never really looked like winning the game despite taking the lead given Preston’s overall dominance.

And that’s your lot for now, all in all, not a bad month and I think I just about got away with being absent for pretty much all of it. Don’t tell Eddie though, he hasn’t noticed yet.

Stay tuned for more regular articles from myself and from the other lads here at LOV.

Until next time folks.