RATINGS: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Millwall

Well that was unexpected.

Bolton Wanderers won a game! Flippin’ eck that felt good.

Onto your ratings:

Remi Matthews - 7

Not a great deal to do but was solid. His distribution was clearly affected by the strong winds. Let down on the goal by mistakes from Taylor and Beevers.

Pavel Olkowski - 7

Didn’t really have much chance to rampage forward in the first half but the second half performance was much improved compared to the last six months and of course he took his goal very well - after which he was a complete menace to the Millwall defence.

Jack Hobbs - 8

A commanding performance from someone whom I consider our best central defender. I also thought he dragged Beevers up a notch too.

Mark Beevers - 7

Lost his man for their goal but was solid in the air and kept his distribution simple which, given the windy conditions, was a sensible move.

Andy Taylor - 7

Thought he was solid throughout until he clearly tired after 70 minutes when he became a bit accident prone. Channelled his inner Gretar Steinsson at the end which I’m sure some people appreciated.

Gary O’Neil - 9

Man of the match for me. Belied his advancing years with another all-action performance including one of the best individual goals in the history of world football. At the moment he is head and shoulders above the rest of the midfield and is nailed-on to be our Player of the Year.

Joe Williams - 7

Thought he was poor in the first half as he showcased his lack of ability when on the ball and under pressure but recovered very well to be one of our better players in the second half including a five minute spell around the 70 minute mark which was easily his best since his debut away at Preston North End. His aggression and desire is undeniable and when he channels it properly then he’s got the potential to be a cracking player.

Was replaced by Marc Wilson who barely touched the ball.

Callum Connolly - 7

A quieter display than his counterparts in midfield but no less important than any of them. His versatility will always be his downfall but he is much better on the ball than I first though - see his pass to Olkowski to set up the Polish right back’s goal. Looks a bit like Rob Holding from a distance.

Will Buckley - 5

In what was a fairly typical Buckley performance, your man was largely anonymous throughout and wore gloves. Gloves. In March. Should’ve sealed the win at 3-0 later in the game but unfortunately was unable to shrug off the defenders when perhaps a more determined person would’ve fought through to score.

Replaced by Lloyd Dyer who didn’t really do anything of note.

Sammy Ameobi - 6

I just wish he’d be able to summon the sort of form that we all know he’s capable of but at the moment it’s just not happening for Sammy. Was quiet.

Josh Magennis - 6

Another game without a goal for a Bolton striker - this time it was Magennis’ turn to lead the line which, to his credit, he always does with great effort but when it came to the odd chance or even the odd half-chance he was unable to make any sort of headway towards troubling the keeper.

MANAGER - Phil Parkinson - n/a

Despite Julian Darby’s phone pinging every ten seconds, no doubt with missives from his suspended gaffer, Wanderers got the three points - perhaps Parky should spend more time away from the touchline.