Ratings: Bolton Wanderers 3-6 Port Vale

Well that was an odd game of football. Bolton Wanderers with five wins on the bounce did the most Bolton thing possible, losing to a Port Vale side on a correspondingly bad run of form in record breaking fashion. Onto the ratings.

GK: Matt Gilks - 2

A keeper who sees the ball fly past him six times is unlikely to look good. Yes one was a penalty and he was badly let down by his defenders time and time again, but that is not the whole story.

I feel, maybe harshly, that Gilks could have done better with two of Vale’s goals. Particularly the sixth. I cannot believe I am saying this, but 3-4 would have been notably better and would have made a fight back possible.

CB: Alex Baptiste (55) - 1

I remember nothing to redeem conceding five goals at home while he was on the field. Not his fault alone, the unit failed miserably.

CB: Ricardo Santos - 1

He had done so much to turn around fans perception of him. One bad performance will not ruin all of that, but this takes a lot of the gloss off the last month.

Santos appeared to be targeted and was simply outclassed. A cheap penalty summed up a bad day really. It may have been a harsh call, but why invite the ref to make a decision by muscling someone over in that position?

Really poor and now with a point to prove.

CB: Ryan Delaney (55) - 1

Copy and past Baptiste’s review.

RWB: Peter Kioso - 2

Some good attacking play raises this from either 0 or 1. Caught horribly out of position for at least one goal. Let down badly by his colleagues for the first though.

LWB: Gethin Jones - 5

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A well taken goal to make it 2-1 and a composed assist for another brings his rating right up. The only defensive player to come away with any positives.

CM: George Thomason - 6

I thought the youngster had a solid debut. He looked composed on the ball and played in a positive manner both with his passing and willingness to take the ball on.

Not at fault for the horror show at the back.

He was potentially out muscled a bit and will hopefully learn a lot about first team football to take forward. More of the same please.

CM: Antoni Sarcevic (79) - 5

He really should have scored on the break in the second half. It had no bearing on the result, but it is not the first time I feel Sarce should have scored just in the few games I have seen. Harsh to pick up on this maybe as he has scored important goals, but he is capable of more.

Some solid play more generally to try and affect the game.

CM: Ali Crawford (55) - 2

He may have been man marked but he was anonymous. He is probably our most talented attacking player. He must affect games.

ST: Nathan Delfouneso (55) - 4

Played through a knock which is to his credit. Miss a couple of good chances which is not. Played alright, with the hapless defence distracting me from anything specific.

ST: Eoin Doyle - 8

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He looked lively and up for it for the whole game. I still want to see him in the box more than he was for much of the day.

A brilliantly taken goal sees his form continue which is key.

Sub 1: Ronan Darcy - 6

I don’t remember any specific moments of brilliance, but he brought urgency and passion to proceedings which was needed to keep playing once 6-1 down.

I would like to see him given a chance from the start.

Sub 2: Lloyd Isgrove (55) - 8

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He looked lively upon coming on. He wanted to take the ball on and was positive with it. A well taken goal to help the goal difference out.

Should play himself into a starting spot, particularly if Fonz has picked up a knock.

Sub 3: Brendon Comley (55) - 3

I do not remember him doing anything wrong. But, that is helped by only ever, every single time, passing sideways or backwards.

The man can pass, he has to back himself more.

Sub 4: Reiss Greenidge (55) - 4

Came on at 5-1 down so cannot be blamed for the pummelling.

He looked tidy and sloppy in equal measure for me. Maybe needs more game time to sharpen up. Didn’t seem to cost us anything which puts him head and shoulders above the other defenders.

Sub 5: Tom White - 1

I had forgotten he came on. Did he touch the ball?

At the beginning of the season I thought White looked good with an impressive passing range. What has happened? Who knows. Another who maybe needs to back himself.