Bolton Wanderers 3 Charlton Athletic 3
That’s more like it.
Something to get behind today winning an unlikely point against a very good side with the best home record in the league. Jones’ team pressed, chased and played with a fight and togetherness not seen in a Charlton team for what seems forever.
The table still looks perilous and we did concede three, but every player played well and they fought for what was in the end the whole 112 minutes.
As Jones danced and screamed on the touch line, you could start to see his character start to rub off on the team. He made a few changes starting with debutant Thierry Small, who had an eventful game and I’d like to see more of him.
Anderson played ahead of Coventry and Dobson, and he was an absolute bundle of energy. May dropped to the bench leaving Ladapo and Kanu to push and pull Bolton’s defenders all over the shop.
Kanu was brilliant and I loved how the team celebrated when he put us 3-2 ahead. The young man thoroughly deserved his goal.
Camara, Aneke and Gillesphey all did their bit when they came on, as did May. Aneke having a powerful shot saved late on.
Bolton were good, they put us under a lot of pressure moving the ball quickly around our box, but although all three goals might have been avoided we stood firm including Isted who played I thought with good assurance.
We had five players booked by a petty referee, but I liked how we did not roll over and were much more canny managing the game.
For once we also played our part in an exciting match. Tiny green shoots of recovery.
MoW: There were many candidates, but Kanu.
Elsewhere: Around us Cheltenham beat Port Vale 3-2, Fleetwood lost at home to Barnsley 2-1 and Cambridge won at Carlisle 4-0. Reading were beaten 4-1 at Pompey and Shrewsbury lost at home to Wigan 1-0.
A terrific result at the Toughshit (someone had to do it) stadium. A well earned point.
If the Messiah would learn, subs are there to be used and had he deployed them when we were in the ascendancy, we may have gone on to win.
Good result or not, we’re still in big trouble and must start getting some wins, pronto.
I know that we’re still waiting for NJ’s first win as boss, but you at least can feel that it is coming. Nathan does give the impression that he is actively working to solve the problems we have, and that actually begins to inspire some confidence, for both the fans and the players. In direct contrast to his predecessor(who I think we all know was really just a lower league journeyman manager, thus why we ended up in the mess we’re in), the team at last seems to go on to the pitch with a clear idea about what is expected of them, and Nathan is not afraid to make big decisions- such as dropping May to the bench. We have to trust him, and so far I do…
Tiny green shoots of recovery indeed, but that is far more than we have had of late!
A big step in the right direction.—Can’t wait for Saturday. COYR.
I’d have liked NJ to have refreshed the team a bit earlier than he did – the subs mostly came on after Bolton’s third goal, but you can’t complain about the fight shown.. That was a good team performance and although our defence looks frail we saw out the game at the death.
It was a brave call to leave out May – he’s been our only real goal scoring threat this season but Kanu deserved his start and he and Ladapo ran their socks off pressing the Bolton defence. Behind them Karoy Anderson had a good game at number 8 and Dobbo and Coventry made a good defensive midfield pairing. This finally looks like a team.
We won’t though survive just by drawing games – we need a few clean sheets and wins, even if they are ugly wins, but we have some momentum.
At last we show fighting spirit, prepared to not give-in when Bolton fought back.
Nathan is definately instilling a positive mental approach to his squad and a never give up approach.
To be honest I thought we would get anything but to get a point is valuable.
Credit to all the players and I feel that nothing is impossible if players show the commitment every game.
I agree with all the above. BUT the team should have May in the starting line up.