Ratings: Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Ipswich Town

Bolton Wanderers’ appalling season reached a new low yesterday when the side capitulated at home again, this time against the second-worst team in the whole division in Ipswich Town.

A result that leaves us on the brink of relegation, the team should be thoroughly ashamed of their performance.

Remi Matthews - 6

Relatively untested throughout and generally unable to do much about either goal, Matthews was only let down by his distribution which was poor throughout.

Pavel Olkowski - 7

Had a much better second half when he was able to get forward and was our most dangerous attacking threat.

David Wheater - 6

Struggled desperately against Quaner but at least he put in a modicum of effort, which wasn’t the case for the majority of his teammates.

Mark Beevers - 4

Simply one of the worst performances of his Bolton career. Spent ten minutes before the game practicing his headers and then spent the next 90 showcasing his pure 50p head to everyone. His distribution is desperately poor and someone really needs to have a word with him about stopping that woeful crossfield ball that he tries at least ten times a game.

Andy Taylor - 5

Unfortunately for us, Taylor remains first choice at left back when in all seriousness he shouldn’t be anywhere near the side. Far too slow and it harms us virtually every week. This time it was the energy of the Ipswich midfield that caused him no end of bother.

Replaced by Erhun Oztumer who at least had a sniff of attacking intent about him and actually ran forward with the ball. I’d give Ozzie a 6, ish.

Sammy Ameobi - 4

Another desperately poor performance from the only man who in our side who can positively affect a game. He lollygagged around the pitch as usual but was completely unable to do anything of note when having the ball at his feet. His lack of effort was never more apparent than in the move leading to their second goal which came about due to his inability to put his foot in.

Joe Williams - 5

There are some Bolton fans who think there’s a good player waiting to get out. Not for me. Poor on the ball and weak in the tackle, Williams had another stinker against Ipswich, failing (at times) to complete the most simple of passes and being completely unable to affect the game in any way. At least he’s not Jason Lowe, I suppose.

Callum Connolly - 5

Ineffective in midfield but at least he can play left-back so let’s stick him there from now on.

Will Buckley - 4

Where do you start with him? A genuine contender for the worst footballer we have ever had at the club. It was another weak and desperately poor performance from Buckley who seems completely incapable of doing anything at all on the pitch to even the most basic of levels. Incapable of beating his (or any) man, unable to get past an opponent and, on the evidence of yesterday, completely unable to place a simple volley on goal when unmarked and six yards from goal. In fact, the missed volley was symbolic of his entire Bolton career - piss poor and lacking in the most basic of requirements - effort.

Replaced by Craig Noone who did more in his short time on the pitch than Buckley has done in 18 months at Bolton.

Gary O’Neil - 6

Worked hard as usual but I can only presume it was an injury that led to him being replaced before half time by Luca Connell who showed plenty of desire and fight, putting his more experienced colleagues to shame.

Josh Magennis - 5

Another dire performance from the big man who was completely starved of service yet again. I appreciate his endeavour but he is absolutely no goal threat whatsoever - unless you count nearly scoring an own goal in the first half.

Manager

Phil Parkinson - 4

Another week passes with him being, inexplicably, in a job. Yes he’s dignified and yes he’s often managed with one hand tied behind his back but there is no justification for lining up against the second-worst team in the division in a must-win game with just one striker on the pitch.

There is no justification for the repeated inclusion of Will Buckley and there is no justification for the complete lack of willingness to try anything different.

He needs to go and we can only hope that his replacement isn’t as completely petrified of attacking play.