First up a reminder to anyone going to the game. It's an early kick off at 12:30pm. In today's press conference Slavi revealed that, Nando, Madl, Richards, Matilla and Dembele are all out. Knew three of them had injuries that made them doubtful. The other two read into it what you want. With wide players like Kaca, Labyad and Georgie Williams off his radar, Slavi will be cornered into a relatively flat formation. The question really is whether he will move from the defensive format of the last few weeks and opt for something more akin to offensive? With Nando and Madl missing at the back that makes his life all the more difficult. He could still go for it nonetheless with this line-up: .........................Bettinelli............. ............Hutchinson..Stearman..Burn.. ...Fredericks.....Ince....Parker.....Hyndman.. .......................Cairney......... ...............Smith....McCormack...
Forgot to mention - Slavi had his squad training at the Cottage this week. He mentioned a few weeks ago something about wanting a pitch at Motspur that resembled CC and presumably with only this one game left, therefore no damage to the pitch longer term, this was his chance. Hopefully, it wasn't just running around and most of their efforts were on set pieces, especially corners. With lots of practice at that short run up and the infamous dip -
I took my boys to the first home game of the season, and we're travelling up for tomorrow's last game of the season. Did we miss much betweentimes?
The man in the middle today is Mr Oliver Langford please log in to view this image The West Midlander has been around for 8 seasons but it's only this year that he's really got a smattering of Championship games. Our only exposure to him was back in August 2014 when we were routed away to Derby in Magath's horrible start to our first Championship campaign. So far this season Mr Langford has amassed 39 games with a modest 93 yellows and 4 reds.
Lazy, hazy days of summer At least the Captain's boys got to see the 'legend' that was Emile Heskey. However, however .. when Fredericks unfortunately had to go off 15 minutes or so into the game why oh why did Slavi bring on Stearman. Heskey was a lone and very isolated figure up front for Bolton and the last thing we needed was yet another centre back. To be honest the game sank from that point onwards. We huffed, we puffed (especially Matt Smith) and tiki takied around. But, while we could and should have scored before Cairney's goal, it was hardly sharp edged football. The tongue in cheek comment by Slavi in his after match 'Reaction' says it all, "We got a clean sheet, which is incredible for us". Time to pull the blind down on this season's shambles.
It wasn't the best but far from being the worst. I quite enjoyed it actually. Good to see Heskey, still a big lump and got produced a good header which went close. He must be in his fifties, can't believe he is still playing. Despite the poor season I thought a reasonably good number stayed back and applauded the team at the end as they did the usual end of season walk round ... and so that was that. Interesting to see what happens next.
I'll keep it brief. Never on the field of the beautiful game has a season promised so much but left us feeling completely underwhelmed! I hope Slavi gets us going again next season. COYW
I agree that Fredericks looked good before his injury, possibly our best up to that point. I thought there were lots of positives, with Cairney and Burn probably the best of the starters. Hyndman had more impact that Christianson once he came on. Although Smith could/should have scored 5 before half-time, at least we were creating chances for him. The big issue for me - and this chimes with what others have said all season - there was no width. By repeatedly squeezing all our attacking players between the width of the penalty boxes, we not only get in each other's way, we also allow the other team to defend narrow and leave us with even less space to work in. That game was crying out for a decent winger to open things out. As to lucky charms, I don't think so, Cottager. My youngest's first game was when we lost 4-2 to already-relegated Reading back in Jol's last full season, and yesterday was the first time he's actually seen us win! At least he's finally proved that it's not him jinxing us.
Ah, my bad Captain. Was it the eldest then? Was sure one of yours got his Fulhamship under way with a win or two. Whatever, glad they both now have a win under their belt this season. And, endorse all you say about width.
As ever the editing makes us look better than we actually were. However worth a watch and for saving as a memoire of some we won't see again.
Yes, it was number 1 son who had a long unbeaten run when he first started coming to matches. That was all the way back in 2009-2010 season. Nothing special happened then, did it?
