Immediate Reaction: Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Newport County

Another game, another bitterly disappointing defeat for Bolton Wanderers. A 2-0 victory for Newport (their first away from home since January) means that Ian Evatt has lost his first five games in charge of the club.

Evatt made one change prior to kick off, with George Taft returning in place of Alex Baptiste.

Wanderers started poorly again, with Newport threatening from set pieces. Bolton were very fortunate not to be a couple of goals behind within the first half an hour. Thankfully, they did improve towards the end of the half. Ali Crawford put a free kick on target & Nathan Delfouneso tried to place a shot from close distance, when it was probably better to put his foot through it.

The hope that we could carry on playing well and actually take the lead for the first time this season was put to bed ten minutes into the second half.

A shot from distance was saved by Crellin, though he pushed it into the path of Abrahams, who was left with a simple tap in to hand the visitors the lead.

Less than ten minutes later, Crellin again saved a shot, only for Abrahams to bury the rebound to double Newport’s advantage.

Goal difference is the only thing keeping Wanderers from dropping into the bottom two at this early stage. Another poor defensive display from Bolton & we’re left wondering thinking whether we’d be as poor if Harry Brockbank would be handed a chance in the team.

You have to feel sorry for Eoin Doyle, who worked hard but is getting absolutely no service to showcase his clinical edge in front of goal.

The highlight of the game was when the commentary team suffered a technical glitch & we were given a welcome break from the asmr, grunts & groans coming from the mic. The sock shop ‘Benny Hill’-esque jingle seemed appropriate for the football we were watching.

I’m trying to remain patient that Ian Evatt will get it right, though at the moment we seem to be going backwards than forwards. It’s only three games in, though we have looked utterly hopeless. All the business done in the window was based around playing with a back three, which has already been abandoned. Also, you have to wonder how poor Yoan Zouma was in training not to be given a longer look at.

Let’s hope for a better display when Wanderers head to Doncaster to face Harrogate next Saturday.