Match Report: All style and no substance at Bolton

[Olé]

Despite showcasing a more fluid passing game than last week, today was a game that would look spectacular on the short highlights but depressing to watch in full.

It rode that contentious line between the importance of the result and importance of a performance. We got a performance, but nowhere near enough for a result.

City are an elegant work in progress and that is okay. I don't expect them to be fully formed yet with so many new players. But I do want attacking substance over style.

We absolutely dominated the game from a possession perspective but for the first 80 most of it was interplay conducted in front of Bolton's defence and never in the box.

On the other hand Bolton, who barely got our of their half, committed two or three in the area second half if they got a chance to cross - delivering TWO sucker punches.  

Like most City fans my priority is to quickly understand if our new look squad is up to it. The only consistent takeaway after two games is that Weimann is a class above.

It's hard to judge the rest as Bolton were happy to let us to pass and move through their half as long as we didn't trouble their box, but first ball defending is a big miss.

City fielded the same side as vs Forest last week save for young Lloyd Kelly in for the departed Joe Bryan with new signing Jay De Silva not yet ready to take part.

The most obvious difference immediately is that our front 4 - two wingers, 10 and 9 - took it in turns to drop and link the team better than the midfield chasm last week.

Jamie Paterson in particular seemed to be starting deep on the half way line in order to give us touches in midfield as runners like Brownhill, Hunt and Kelly overlapped.

Unfortunately in the first half our wingers had little joy - O'Dowda lightweight and Eliasson anonymous. Indeed it was Kelly on the overlap that had our best incursion.

Out first threat - like most of the first half - was Brownhill, driving fast out of midfield, laying it right for Eliasson, his deep cross evading defenders but with few in the box.

A Paterson exchange in midfield started a slick move before Brownhill slipped Pato in. He was tackled but from the clearance Brownhill shot on the turn from 25 yards.

A long ball then gave Weimann something to chase. He dropped off a marker, turned and with no support his shot was blocked. Brownhill collected another loose ball and dragged another long range short wide.

The move of the half saw Pack & Paterson both make no look passes as we broke quickly, releasing Kelly into the box, who fired across goal, keeper parrying wide.

An O'Dowda run, twice turning his marker, make room for yet another long range hit, but again easily blocked at close range, as City struggled to break Bolton down. 

Even Webster got in on the act, his deep run to the edge of their box winning a free kick from which Eliasson dipped a wicked ball to the far post that was hacked away. 

Yet another quick break was symptomatic of City, Paterson turning in midfield to set away Weimann on the left, his low cross evaded Brownhill racing late into the box.

It had been relentless from City but with no real chances and certainly no effort to commit bodies in the box. Lots of passing in Bolton's half but no one in behind them.

City actually came out second half with a positive adjustment. They got the ball to Eliasson more and pushed more players up to shift Bolton's line into it's own box.

Almost immediately we got a clear chance - quick passing getting Paterson into the box from the right, his low cross eluding both Weimann and O'Dowda's late runs.  

City were committing players and patient build up with both full backs overlapping around the box, saw Weimann draw a first real save with a flash shot from the right.

The first talking point came next, another typical fast pass and move giving Eliasson room wide, he dropped a shoulder, drifted inside, raced on but went down in the box.

A swift move, and it did look like contact was made, but Eliasson definitely looked for the leg, and the choice to go down so easily perhaps cost City the penalty.

Before the hour mark, the sucker punch arrived. Bolton broke and a driven cross from the right was watched by static City centre backs, Maenppa tipping wide.

From the corner Bolton's height told, the header from Buckley crashing down onto the line and adjudged to have crossed the line by the linesman on the far side.

Almost immediately it was two. Again they commited players in the box on the break and crossed - again no defender reacted and Magennis swivelled and fired home.  

City were stung and piled forward but still with no target in the box. Weimann got in on the right and crossed low but Paterson reacted too slow to meet it at the far post.

But City deservedly got a goal back with the next attack. Marlon Pack gave them the eyes before lifting a ball over the top for Weimann to fire under the keeper.

Next Jack Hunt decided he'd had enough of the pretty stuff and went on a storming run all the way to their box, switching it to Eliasson whose quick shot was blocked.

By now Marley Watkins was on as a more combative presence for the lightweight O'Dowda. He'd put a header wide with his first touch from an Eliasson corner.

Paterson ran in next from the left but his overhit pass was cleared, Eliasson stole it back centrally to spring Pato, he dragged it wide with teammates better placed.

It had been a poor game from Paterson - effective with the ball on the halfway line but uncertain decisions, poorly placed and no real threat in forward positions. 

Ironically he'd nonetheless deliver a fine equaliser, keeping the ball for himself and running in from the left again, now sensing space to curl a shot into the far corner.

It was a carbon copy of our 2-2 draw at Rotherham two years ago. Two defensive meltdowns, annulled by a late, confident, curling shot from the edge of the box.

Lee Johnson had been preparing to bring on both Taylor and Eisa but put them both back on the bench - an acknowledgement of the universal contentment with a draw.

It meant that the final ten minutes were relatively quiet, although an increasingly marauding Hunt had a shot blocked and Le Fondre flashed a shot wide in the box.

We did finally introduce those two subs - who knew Plan B would simply be having actual strikers on in the 90th minute - and they would contrive a 94th minute winner.

Or nearly. With players finally in the box, a forward ball found Taylor on the right, he slipped it inside to Eisa on the edge of the six yard box, who studded it inches wide.

And that was it. A win would have been more than deserved, a draw was welcome given the earlier meltdown, but in the end a disappointing return on a lot of football.

This City team is not the finished product yet and Lee Johnson is in danger of over emphasising the movement and switching between the lines, and not the outcome.

We absolutely dominated possession but in terms of a threat to the Bolton defence, we rarely created clear chances, nor had finishers inside their defence to convert.

The jury is still very much out. But what is clear is that Andreas Weimann is an asset and an upgrade by work rate and smart forward movement, no one else is close.

   

Maenpaa 5 - just noticed it rhymes with flapper. Not much to do and didn't do much when he had to

Hunt 7 - our best defender, solid at the back and determined going forward 

Kelly 6 - a promising performance with some incredibly mature moments but also some areas to work on

Baker 5 - not much to do but ca dual and unfocused when called upon, as he was at times late last season too

Webster 6 - one good run but also part of a central defence that surrendered when called upon

Pack 6 - not at all disgraced and brilliant assist for our first, but Bolton sat so deep hard for him to be influential

Brownhill 7 - never stopped running and trying to drive City forward, involved in a lot but faded more in the second half

Eliasson 6 - anonymous in the first half and then a constant menace in the second, consistency still the name of the game for him

O'Dowda 5 - has been our poorest player in both games this season, looks unfit or at least lightweight, some useful touches but easily neutralised

Paterson 5 - this mark is harsh but only as he has the ability and standards, it was a 6 taking account of his goal and passing in midfield, but as a "10" he was careless and didn't cause enough problems

Weimann 7 - MoM for us, thankless task but never stops running and knows how to drag defenders and create opportunities, it is a shame no one has the same level of game reading he has, can see Prem class

 

Watkins 5 - too early to say, more physical but nothing neat or effective today

Taylor n/a - didn't get any time

Eisa n/a - ditto but would have lost my mind if he scored with his first touch, he is always in the right positions  

[Kid in the Riot]

Do you think we are seeing a more conservative LJ this season in regard to substitutions given his reluctance to bring on Eisa and Taylor until very late this week and last week his subs did manage to kill the game v Forest for the last 15 to secure us a draw?

[JBFC II]

Would agree with that on the whole. Think Taylor looked excellent when he came on though, him and Weimann could be a very good partnership until fammy returns

[italian dave]

11 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Do you think we are seeing a more conservative LJ this season in regard to substitutions given his reluctance to bring on Eisa and Taylor until very late this week and last week his subs did manage to kill the game v Forest for the last 15 to secure us a draw?

He was just about to bring both on when we got our second. In fact, if it hadn't been for the fact that Bolton had a corner, I think both would have come on (and probably Pato off!). 

They then both sat down again, and I think that was just about taking stock - but it was clear as we got close to 90 that we wanted it more than they did.

[YorksRed]

4 minutes ago, JBFC II said:

Would agree with that on the whole. Think Taylor looked excellent when he came on though, him and Weimann could be a very good partnership until fammy returns

Yes Taylor played with surprising strength and turned the defender a couple of times.  Him and Weimann together would be a pain for a big defence in particular.

[Spoons]

29 minutes ago, Olé said:

Despite showcasing a more fluid passing game than last week, today was a game that would look spectacular on the short highlights but depressing to watch in full.

It rode that contentious line between the importance of the result and importance of a performance. We got a performance, but nowhere near enough for a result.

City are an elegant work in progress and that is okay. I don't expect them to be fully formed yet with so many new players. But I do want attacking substance over style.

We absolutely dominated the game from a possession perspective but for the first 80 most of it was interplay conducted in front of Bolton's defence and never in the box.

On the other hand Bolton, who barely got our of their half, committed two or three in the area second half if they got a chance to cross - delivering TWO sucker punches.  

Like most City fans my priority is to quickly understand if our new look squad is up to it. The only consistent takeaway after two games is that Weimann is a class above.

It's hard to judge the rest as Bolton were happy to let us to pass and move through their half as long as we didn't trouble their box, but first ball defending is a big miss.

City fielded the same side as vs Forest last week save for young Lloyd Kelly in for the departed Joe Bryan with new signing Jay De Silva not yet ready to take part.

The most obvious difference immediately is that our front 4 - two wingers, 10 and 9 - took it in turns to drop and link the team better than the midfield chasm last week.

Jamie Paterson in particular seemed to be starting deep on the half way line in order to give us touches in midfield as runners like Brownhill, Hunt and Kelly overlapped.

Unfortunately in the first half our wingers had little joy - O'Dowda lightweight and Eliasson anonymous. Indeed it was Kelly on the overlap that had our best incursion.

Out first threat - like most of the first half - was Brownhill, driving fast out of midfield, laying it right for Eliasson, his deep cross evading defenders but with few in the box.

A Paterson exchange in midfield started a slick move before Brownhill slipped Pato in. He was tackled but from the clearance Brownhill shot on the turn from 25 yards.

A long ball then gave Weimann something to chase. He dropped off a marker, turned and with no support his shot was blocked. Brownhill collected another loose ball and dragged another long range short wide.

The move of the half saw Pack & Paterson both make no look passes as we broke quickly, releasing Kelly into the box, who fired across goal, keeper parrying wide.

An O'Dowda run, twice turning his marker, make room for yet another long range hit, but again easily blocked at close range, as City struggled to break Bolton down. 

Even Webster got in on the act, his deep run to the edge of their box winning a free kick from which Eliasson dipped a wicked ball to the far post that was hacked away. 

Yet another quick break was symptomatic of City, Paterson turning in midfield to set away Weimann on the left, his low cross evaded Brownhill racing late into the box.

It had been relentless from City but with no real chances and certainly no effort to commit bodies in the box. Lots of passing in Bolton's half but no one in behind them.

City actually came out second half with a positive adjustment. They got the ball to Eliasson more and pushed more players up to shift Bolton's line into it's own box.

Almost immediately we got a clear chance - quick passing getting Paterson into the box from the right, his low cross eluding both Weimann and O'Dowda's late runs.  

City were committing players and patient build up with both full backs overlapping around the box, saw Weimann draw a first real save with a flash shot from the right.

The first talking point came next, another typical fast pass and move giving Eliasson room wide, he dropped a shoulder, drifted inside, raced on but went down in the box.

A swift move, and it did look like contact was made, but Eliasson definitely looked for the leg, and the choice to go down so easily perhaps cost City the penalty.

Before the hour mark, the sucker punch arrived. Bolton broke and a driven cross from the right was watched by static City centre backs, Maenppa tipping wide.

From the corner Bolton's height told, the header from Buckley crashing down onto the line and adjudged to have crossed the line by the linesman on the far side.

Almost immediately it was two. Again they commited players in the box on the break and crossed - again no defender reacted and Magennis swivelled and fired home.  

City were stung and piled forward but still with no target in the box. Weimann got in on the right and crossed low but Paterson reacted too slow to meet it at the far post.

But City deservedly got a goal back with the next attack. Marlon Pack gave them the eyes before lifting a ball over the top for Weimann to fire under the keeper.

Next Jack Hunt decided he'd had enough of the pretty stuff and went on a storming run all the way to their box, switching it to Eliasson whose quick shot was blocked.

By now Marley Watkins was on as a more combative presence for the lightweight O'Dowda. He'd put a header wide with his first touch from an Eliasson corner.

Paterson ran in next from the left but his overhit pass was cleared, Eliasson stole it back centrally to spring Pato, he dragged it wide with teammates better placed.

It had been a poor game from Paterson - effective with the ball on the halfway line but uncertain decisions, poorly placed and no real threat in forward positions. 

Ironically he'd nonetheless deliver a fine equaliser, keeping the ball for himself and running in from the left again, now sensing space to curl a shot into the far corner.

It was a carbon copy of our 2-2 draw at Rotherham two years ago. Two defensive meltdowns, annulled by a late, confident, curling shot from the edge of the box.

Lee Johnson had been preparing to bring on both Taylor and Eisa but put them both back on the bench - an acknowledgement of the universal contentment with a draw.

It meant that the final ten minutes were relatively quiet, although an increasingly marauding Hunt had a shot blocked and Le Fondre flashed a shot wide in the box.

We did finally introduce those two subs - who knew Plan B would simply be having actual strikers on in the 90th minute - and they would contrive a 94th minute winner.

Or nearly. With players finally in the box, a forward ball found Taylor on the right, he slipped it inside to Eisa on the edge of the six yard box, who studded it inches wide.

And that was it. A win would have been more than deserved, a draw was welcome given the earlier meltdown, but in the end a disappointing return on a lot of football.

This City team is not the finished product yet and Lee Johnson is in danger of over emphasising the movement and switching between the lines, and not the outcome.

We absolutely dominated possession but in terms of a threat to the Bolton defence, we rarely created clear chances, nor had finishers inside their defence to convert.

The jury is still very much out. But what is clear is that Andreas Weimann is an asset and an upgrade by work rate and smart forward movement, no one else is close.

   

Maenpaa 5 - just noticed it rhymes with flapper. Not much to do and didn't do much when he had to

Hunt 7 - our best defender, solid at the back and determined going forward 

Kelly 6 - a promising performance with some incredibly mature moments but also some areas to work on

Baker 5 - not much to do but ca dual and unfocused when called upon, as he was at times late last season too

Webster 6 - one good run but also part of a central defence that surrendered when called upon

Pack 6 - not at all disgraced and brilliant assist for our first, but Bolton sat so deep hard for him to be influential

Brownhill 7 - never stopped running and trying to drive City forward, involved in a lot but faded more in the second half

Eliasson 6 - anonymous in the first half and then a constant menace in the second, consistency still the name of the game for him

O'Dowda 5 - has been our poorest player in both games this season, looks unfit or at least lightweight, some useful touches but easily neutralised

Paterson 5 - this mark is harsh but only as he has the ability and standards, it was a 6 taking account of his goal and passing in midfield, but as a "10" he was careless and didn't cause enough problems

Weimann 7 - MoM for us, thankless task but never stops running and knows how to drag defenders and create opportunities, it is a shame no one has the same level of game reading he has, can see Prem class

 

Watkins 5 - too early to say, more physical but nothing neat or effective today

Taylor n/a - didn't get any time

Eisa n/a - ditto but would have lost my mind if he scored with his first touch, he is always in the right positions  

Strange comment about Mo eisa?

[Red Skin]

That's not a match report, it's a sonnet!!

Very detailed, @Olé.  Thanks. 

[reddogkev]

43 minutes ago, Olé said:

Quote text

Fantastic write up, Ole, you do a top job with your unofficial match reports.

[Swede]

After seeing that today I'd sum it up as being pleasing on the eye without a cutting edge.

Bolton played one up front and given their financial predicament, were more intent on protecting their goal rather than trying to come out and win the match.

So the first half they defended their half and were quite content to let us play the ball in front of them.

On the occasion when they did have the ball they just hoofed it long for the lone striker.

We must really put teams like Bolton away. I worry about games like this as the longer it goes on the more chance there is to go behind and sure enough it happened and then to concede another with Baker initially caught in posession, you felt like here we go again.

But to City's credit Pack's exquisite pass to Weimann halved the deficit and then Pato made his only real contribution to the match by dribbling and sealing the point.

I felt sure we could've and should've gone on to win it.

I think given more time, the new players will integrate more and performances will improve.

We really need that presence up front and I am surprised we haven't loaned anyone in.

Maenpaa 5 didn't have much to do.

Hunt 7 best of the defence.

Kelly 6 very good and will only get better

Webster 6 very good on the ball but needs to communicate better with Baker

Baker 5 didn't have a lot to do to be fair.

COD 5 lost posession too easily but will improve

Brownhill 8 a dynamic performance. His partnership with Pack is getting better. Not sure he should be taking free kicks though.

Pack 9 MOM for me. Involved in everything, ran the show from start to finish. He is setting new standards.

Eliasson 6 a bit lightweight, I didn't think his delivery was good today.

Pato 5 largely anonymous and then pops up with the goal.

Weimann 7 worked hard and is intelligent with his runs. Will benefit when Fam's back. 

[TheCulturalBomb]

Only so long can you be an "elegant work in progress" before you don't get anywhere. Johnson has been here long enough for it to start paying off.

[JBFC II]

17 minutes ago, TheCulturalBomb said:

Only so long can you be an "elegant work in progress" before you don't get anywhere. Johnson has been here long enough for it to start paying off.

Maybe the fact we lost our 3 best players of the summer hindered some of the progress made?

[Unan]

Are you on the marching powder cus after a game I can barely remember the score line

[italian dave]

Thanks Ole. I normally find myself agreeing with your reports, but not today. I found it anything but depressing to watch, in fact thought it was a very enjoyable game. And I felt there was plenty of substance in our 16 shots and 10 corners. 

Bolton set their stall for the season out at WBA last week: men behind the ball, do anything to break up play any time the opposition start to put a fluent move together, witness the endless fouls and 6 or 7 bookings. We had to stay patient, and we did. 

5 minutes of complete madness aside, we controlled the game, and had our chances. I thought Eliasson contributed throughout, indeed had a couple of great chances first half. 

I don't think we have a natural, instinctive, goalscorere, and that showed today. It was a real shame we without Diedhiuou, who I think would have had a couple today. And there were times when we made wrong choices and missed good runs into space, but it's a new side, still getting to know each other. More than half the starting line up today were either not with us, or fringe players, last season. 

So all in all I was encouraged today, and certainly left Bolton feeling more optimistic than I did last season!

[YorksRed]

24 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Even though Taylor was not great on the ball vs Bournemouth in the friendly, I thought the movement and work rate of him and Weimann would be enough to keep them up top together at the start of the season.

Play them up together against Boro’s giants.  Ball coming in from the wings will do nothing for us then, so let’s try a different approach,

[Olé]

3 hours ago, italian dave said:

in fact thought it was a very enjoyable game. And I felt there was plenty of substance in our 16 shots and 10 corners

Happy to be put right, but on the subject of shots - one reason going to games is underrated is the effect of the "shots on goal" count to people's perception of a match. You were obviously there so saw it yourself, but respectfully, "16 shots" tells no story at all. Bar our first goal, I would guess we had about two shots within ten yards of their goal. The rest were all attempts that were far enough out as to be inconsequential to anyone but the stats man.

[Major Isewater]

7 hours ago, TheCulturalBomb said:

Only so long can you be an "elegant work in progress" before you don't get anywhere. Johnson has been here long enough for it to start paying off.

This is  a new team and will take a little time to maximise the game of the latest additions and get over the loss of other old team mates who used to be present to receive their passes .

 I was pleased with Holden's after match analysis. He was spot on with the reading of the game so the coaches know what needs doing .

[swanker]

O’Dowda needs to step up this season. I really don’t get what people see in him as a winger. The blokes built for speed yet hardly ever gets the better of his marker  

Most fullbacks have him in their back pockets! 

[City Ben]

4 hours ago, Olé said:

Happy to be put right, but on the subject of shots - one reason going to games is underrated is the effect of the "shots on goal" count to people's perception of a match. You were obviously there so saw it yourself, but respectfully, "16 shots" tells no story at all. Bar our first goal, I would guess we had about two shots within ten yards of their goal. The rest were all attempts that were far enough out as to be inconsequential to anyone but the stats man.

I guess that's where this "xG" metric comes in to play. Does anyone know if it's available for Championship games?

[cityboy]

35 minutes ago, swanker said:

O’Dowda needs to step up this season. I really don’t get what people see in him as a winger. The blokes built for speed yet hardly ever gets the better of his marker  

Most fullbacks have him in their back pockets! 

Last season, before his injury, he was shaping up to be an excellent player. Indeed, I personally don't think it's any coincidence that our attacking threat greatly diminished after his injury took him out of the team. I imagine he is just working his way back in after such an extended absence, but once he's fully back up to speed then I'm expecting him to be a big asset. 

[The Original OTIB]

9 hours ago, Swede said:

After seeing that today I'd sum it up as being pleasing on the eye without a cutting edge.

Bolton played one up front and given their financial predicament, were more intent on protecting their goal rather than trying to come out and win the match.

So the first half they defended their half and were quite content to let us play the ball in front of them.

On the occasion when they did have the ball they just hoofed it long for the lone striker.

We must really put teams like Bolton away. I worry about games like this as the longer it goes on the more chance there is to go behind and sure enough it happened and then to concede another with Baker initially caught in posession, you felt like here we go again.

But to City's credit Pack's exquisite pass to Weimann halved the deficit and then Pato made his only real contribution to the match by dribbling and sealing the point.

I felt sure we could've and should've gone on to win it.

I think given more time, the new players will integrate more and performances will improve.

We really need that presence up front and I am surprised we haven't loaned anyone in.

Maenpaa 5 didn't have much to do.

Hunt 7 best of the defence.

Kelly 6 very good and will only get better

Webster 6 very good on the ball but needs to communicate better with Baker

Baker 5 didn't have a lot to do to be fair.

COD 5 lost posession too easily but will improve

Brownhill 8 a dynamic performance. His partnership with Pack is getting better. Not sure he should be taking free kicks though.

Pack 9 MOM for me. Involved in everything, ran the show from start to finish. He is setting new standards.

Eliasson 6 a bit lightweight, I didn't think his delivery was good today.

Pato 5 largely anonymous and then pops up with the goal.

Weimann 7 worked hard and is intelligent with his runs. Will benefit when Fam's back. 

? He had the job of getting tight to their man on the corner = didn't seem to see or sense the danger and was a yard off touch tight until it was far too late. Usual technique of not challenging but falling over only to rise and look utterly puzzled at what has just occurred.

Had the opportunity to intercept the ball for the second yet inexplicably let it go by then did an equally inexplicable skip in the air to avoid an obstacle that was not there in the first place. He's definitely seeing things, unfortunately, the ball is not included in that.

[Chappers]

I was there and I certainly did not come away particularly encouraged. Bolton were incredibly poor, and whilst we had lots of possession, we didn’t create many chances. It’s early days, I don’t think the shape of the team is right yet, and with such fine margins in this League, almost anything can happen. Two very tough League games ahead, see where we are after that.

[xerox6060]

I came away with mixed feelings, I saw a lot of confident, energetic football and movement, with Marlon dictating the play a confident Lloyd Kelly marauding up and down the left wing and Weimann being a menance up front with that extra touch of class. 

But I also saw us nearly lose to an appalling Bolton team (especially after they had beaten wba) and too many times fail to get that quality delivery in from soo much possession, we looked to lightweight up front (appreciate this will improve) and maybe a little jittery at heart of defence. 

If someone said you've to be beat a team like that, then I'd have to agree, but overall I still enjoyed the potential of a lot of what I saw. 

[cidered abroad]

3 hours ago, swanker said:

O’Dowda needs to step up this season. I really don’t get what people see in him as a winger. The blokes built for speed yet hardly ever gets the better of his marker  

Most fullbacks have him in their back pockets! 

Callum had a very nasty ankle injury. Much more serious than a broken leg. Listening to the physio last season talking about it made me shudder. Bits of wire twisted around parts of the ankle to hold it together. 

The physical injury is probably gone now but the psychological side now comes into the frame. It could be months before he is back to what he was before it. 

And continuing the gloom, from what little we've heard about Adelekun, the wire holding the joint together, he could well take as long to heal physically and mentally. 

[italian dave]

10 hours ago, Olé said:

Happy to be put right, but on the subject of shots - one reason going to games is underrated is the effect of the "shots on goal" count to people's perception of a match. You were obviously there so saw it yourself, but respectfully, "16 shots" tells no story at all. Bar our first goal, I would guess we had about two shots within ten yards of their goal. The rest were all attempts that were far enough out as to be inconsequential to anyone but the stats man.

Funnily enough, one problem with away games is that you're often sitting high up at one end and miles away from a good view of our attacking activity during one half. That was certainly the case yesterday! But I thought we came close more than twice; I think Eliasson hit the woodwork first half ( but see above!) and we certainly came close several times second half. And even the more wayward shots were sometimes that small % in the build up between getting a half chance and a great chance, and that's what I think needs a few more games to gel.

Last week, I felt we'd played Forest at a good time. They have some excellent players, but they showed definite signs of playing together for the firs time, I think they'll get a lot better. Yesterday I thought it was the other way round. If we played that game In a few weeks time we would be a much better unit.

I'm not saying it was world beating stuff, but just an enjoyable game and with promise. There's still concerns. Baker seems to have complete blanks for five minutes every now and again. O'Dowda has a touch of the Freeman about him, round in circles and allowing the opposition to get men back and in position. Our attacking game relies on quick movement and quick passing, both of which need to be consistent and very precise. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 hours ago, Chappers said:

I was there and I certainly did not come away particularly encouraged. Bolton were incredibly poor, and whilst we had lots of possession, we didn’t create many chances. It’s early days, I don’t think the shape of the team is right yet, and with such fine margins in this League, almost anything can happen. Two very tough League games ahead, see where we are after that.

2 goals.

Hit the post with Eliasson.

Eisa and his near miss at the end.

Would say that's 3 or 4 big chances and that's just off the top of my head.

[Mr Popodopolous]

6 hours ago, City Ben said:

I guess that's where this "xG" metric comes in to play. Does anyone know if it's available for Championship games?

Best place to look for it is Experimental 3-6-1.

He did this last season often and the season before. Worth checking the website and Twitter feed.

[Chappers]

2 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

2 goals.

Hit the post with Eliasson.

Eisa and his near miss at the end.

Would say that's 3 or 4 big chances and that's just off the top of my head.

But not a lot considering the possession we had, and Elliason’s looked more of an accident. As I say, too early to be either positive or negative, both performances have has a mix of both.

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Chappers said:

But not a lot considering the possession we had, and Elliason’s looked more of an accident. As I say, too early to be either positive or negative, both performances have has a mix of both.

As I say maybe there were others and I accept what you say about Eliasson's.

Agreed, can't form a definitive judgement after 2 games. Mix of the 2, plus Flint, Bryan and Reid going, Fielding injured and Diedhiou banned- means a transitional period is fairly inevitable IMO.

[Alessandro]

Things I keep reading, from last year and all summer are often along the lines of - “no back bone in the team”, “no leadership” etc.

Yes we gave away so soft goals, but I just think we’re not acknowledging that to come back from two down away from home shows good professionalism, determination and organisation in the team. In previous seasons we would have lost that game IMO, but we battled well and we should take confidence from that.

The players will know they need to work on creating/finishing chances but we still need to work on the individual errors.

[Nogbad the Bad]

18 hours ago, Olé said:

A long ball then gave Weimann something to chase. He dropped off a marker, turned and with no support his shot was blocked. Brownhill collected another loose ball and dragged another long range short wide.

 

Great report @Olé but this paragraph is out of place, being noticeably longer than all the other ones which all seem to be about the same length.