Player Ratings: Barrow AFC 3-3 Bolton Wanderers

How did the Wanderers’ players fare on a cold, windy Tuesday night in Barrow?

Billy Crellin – 3

Could he have done better with Chris Taylor’s freekick? Possibly. But, none of us are goalkeeping experts so I think it would be best to refrain from making that argument. From the angle from which the freekick was struck, it looked as if the wall failed in their duty of keeping it out, either that or CT7 has turned into a prime Juninho since he left us. What we can say though is he looks to be lacking confidence. The mix up between himself and Baptiste leading to the second goal was calamitous. Adding to this, he found himself in no man’s land and Dior Angus somehow managed to waste what would have been the easiest opportunity of the game to punish us even further. Crellin often opted to go long from his kicks rather than short, which, if we had a target man would be fine. But, we don’t, so we must use the effective Kioso as our out ball on that right wing if we are going long rather than any of our forwards.

Alex Baptiste – 3

Looked lethargic. For the most experienced defender, he was often two or three yards behind play. A goal that was deemed well offside by the manager looks to have been cleared up by the replays as just lazy defending from Baptiste. Can’t imagine he will be playing against Cambridge at weekend, more so down to his lack of fitness rather than the manager willing to drop him.

Ricardo Santos – 5

Not as assured as recent games, but he did ok. In truth, the defence didn’t have a great deal to do all game, other than the horrific opening four minutes and Barrow’s third goal on the 20 minute mark. Looked composed on the ball and carried it out from the back well.

Ryan Delaney – 5

I thought he did well to recover after the first few minutes. He looked steady and reliable and played a vital part in the lead up to Doyle’s goal. Seven clearances throughout the game shows that he is a key player when it comes to defending set pieces and crosses. Marked a little lower due to a few fouls that could have been avoided in dangerous areas of the pitch.

Peter Kioso – 7

I’m really, really impressed. Athletic, technical and by far the standout player in his first two games. Excellent in the air, which I have eluded to previously, could become a real asset to us this season. Gaining confidence to take on his man down the right flank and popped up with a goal. He would have received a higher mark if it wasn’t for his missed header from Sarcevic’s cross to put us on level terms earlier in the second half. Had more touches of the ball than anyone else on the pitch, proving just how influential the Luton Town loanee is going to be. Hickman and Jones will have a job displacing him from the starting eleven.

Harry Brockbank – 5

Mr Versatile. Half expecting him to turn up playing the holding midfield in the next few weeks and in all honesty I wouldn’t be against it. Brocky is not a natural wing back, let alone on the left hand side, but I thought he did fairly well considering. Tried to get forward as much as possible and left a tackle on Zouma that some fans would have been pleased to see. I think he will probably return to his more natural right side of the back three this weekend, to replace Baptiste.

Brandon Comley – 3

Not a good day at the office, again. Comley was a signing that sounded like Wanderers first real “data driven” recruit. His passing stats were thrown around in pre-season like we’d just signed Xavi or Iniesta. I’m afraid so far he’s failed to live up to the expectations that were set of him. In my opinion, he was lucky not to be sent off against Barrow and even luckier to complete 90 minutes without being substituted. His rating would have been even lower if his final ten or so minutes hadn’t improved, but it did. Comley committed seven fouls during the game and picked up his fourth yellow card of the season. He’s now just one away from a suspension. Surprised that he was in the starting eleven after Tutte missed out against Oldham, but we will see this weekend whether Evatt plays stick or twist with that deeper midfielder.

Antoni Sarcevic – 7

Very much a game of two halves for the Wanderers skipper. If he’d have been substituted at half time, I don’t think there would have been too many complaints. That being said, after watching the game back, Sarcevic’s second half performance is exactly what I expected of him when he signed for the club. Obviously, he will get most plaudits for his last gasp equaliser. But, more impressive was his block on the edge of his own six yard box from a Harrison Biggins effort to keep the score at 3-2 and give Wanderers the fighting chance to get back into the game. I have a feeling his last gasp winner could give him the confidence to push on from here. I hope he didn't injure himself during that celebration, it looked like he rolled his ankle quite badly.

Ali Crawford – 5.5

Something isn’t quite working for Crawford at the moment and I can’t put my finger on it. If you take away his set pieces which haven’t been to the standard we saw last season, he hasn’t been able to influence games as well as we know he could. Perhaps an appearance off the bench to change a game could be the kickstart that his season needs? Gets a 5.5 for his great delivery to assist Kioso’s first goal for the club.

Eoin Doyle – 6.5

Keep him in the box and he scores goals. Simple. Doyle had one touch in the opposition box and he scored with it. Way too often he’s trying to get a grip on the game by dropping deep and attempting to make things happen, almost feel sorry for him as he hasn’t been getting the service he needs. Well taken goal and hopefully many more to come from the front man.

Arthur Ghanoua – 6.5

In the side after Delfouneso’s wife was taken into labour, didn’t harm his chances of retaining his place in the starting eleven for the weekend either. Good on the ball and looked to create something each time. Neat work down the left wing and a pinpoint cross to assist Doyle’s goal. Nice link up between the pair of them, I wonder whether Evatt will be unchanged up front against Cambridge on Saturday.

Liam Gordon (75’) – N/A

Sixteen touches of the ball, thirteen passes and two shots that I didn’t really remember until I watched it back. Expect him to be back in the starting line-up this weekend. I feel like Gordon is one good performance away from becoming a steady, consistent performer. Slightly lacking the confidence to run at and beat his man, hopefully this will come.

Ronan Darcy (81’) – N/A

Injected a little bit of energy for the final ten or so minutes. Lovely cross into the box for Sarcevic’s late equaliser. He showed the composure to take a touch, set himself and put his cross on the money in the dying embers of the game. Ten touches of the ball with seven of them being crosses into the box. I would like to see him start in place of Ali Crawford with the latter being available from the bench. Will he get his chance? His crossing display will have certainly done him no harm, let’s just hope he has trained well this week!