One Hill of a Problem: Should Bolton Wanderers Go with Two up Top?

We lost again.

I, like many others, went into the game full of confidence. I was sure that Bolton Wanderers had finally hit tipping point - our first win was inevitable despite some poor results against Rochdale already this season.

I saw nothing wrong with Keith Hill’s selection policy but it became apparent as the game wore on that it might have been a mistake not to be more aggressive in that choice.

Darryl Murphy is 36 years old. Same as me, but obviously he’s a lot fitter. I believe that Murphy’s display on Saturday - which disappointed some - showed just where Bolton Wanderers are going wrong at the moment.

You can’t expect a 36 year old to both make the necessary runs and be on the end of the final ball into the box.

Murphy needs a partner.

There can be little doubt that Hill has a good squad at his disposal yet his start to his time at Bolton Wanderers has been disappointing to say the least. There are a thousand reasons why this isn’t his fault but from my point of view the man needs to get us on the front foot quicker.

Granted, away games might not be the best time to show this sort of positive approach but by the time the next home game comes around I would be absolutely delighted to see Hill bring in someone to lighten the load on Murphy and allow him to focus on what he does best - playing as a striker.

That could be Chris O’Grady. It could be Eddie Brown. It could be De’Marlio Sterling-Brown. I think, on recent evidence, it won’t be Joe Dodoo - someone who Hill seems to think is only worth of a wide-right slot.

Will he do it? I don’t know.

Would I like to see him at least try? Oh hell yeah. What have we got to lose?