Verdict v Bolton

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A hard-fought victory against a very spirited and decent Bolton side who were far from being the worst side to visit SJP this season.

I thought we looked a little weary today against a strong and fit team who never allowed us to settle into a rhythm. We played well in spells going forward, but had to defend desperately at times.

At times I thought we were all over the place defensively, with Ricketts proving a real handful for Dabz and O’Brien, and being well supported by Gardner and Nolan.

Distin was outstanding in the 1st half, both defensively and going forward, but made a number of errors towards the end as he tired.

Given had a good game making 2 or 3 top saves, and generally punching and kicking soundly.

I felt our major problem in this game was midfield where Speed and McClen worked their socks off but never really got control of the game. Solano and Robert were a little in and out, doing some really good things but conceding possession a little too often in dangerous spots. Without being outstanding, and still being ignored by colleagues on numerous occasions, Robert knocked in some excellent crosses and fired a dipping, long-range screamer just over the bar towards the end of the first half. In addition, for some strange reason, at one point in the 2nd half he was one of only two defenders on the edge of our PA in a Bolton breakaway, and actually won a header to clear a dangerous diagonal ball – well done kidda!

Bellamy buzzed around, as ever, creating problems, making chances, and missing a couple of easyish chances – until he popped up in the right place at the right time to knock in the winner. Another terrific all-round performance from the little fella. As for the big fella – what can you say? 10 goals from the last 11 games, that’s what – plus another tremendous battling performance from the skipper. His powerful header for our 2nd equaliser from a fantastic cross from Hughesie was simply vintage Shearer - never in doubt.

For me the MOTM, without any shadow of doubt, was Aaron Hughes. I thought he was absolutely outstanding. He was sound defensively, laid on two goals with fantastic crosses from right on the by-line, and got up and down the wing throughout the game – just a fantastic performance.

Three vital points from a dog-fight in which we were twice behind shows we can compete with the battlers as well as matching the aristocrats of the PL. This amazing adventure continues.

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002

Answers

Thanks clarky, concise and unbiased as usual.

I does appear that Bellamy misses a helluvalot of a chances, I don't mind when we still win, when's he gonna learn how to score from a one on one (should be chicken feed for a fleet-footed striker!)?

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002


Sky Sports summariser also singled out Hughes. Nice that he should choose the day of Barton's first game for Derby to demonstrate we're not short at RB!

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002

Hughes was great, Robert had some good moments (although Gary Speed had an awful tendancy to take the ball away from the left then lose it on the right)

Bellamy was his usual self, perhaps could have done better with the early chance but it was very early and he more than made up for that. Shearer led the line superbly, Distin was a rock and linked up with Robert well.

Every player gave 100% today, even Robert put himself about a bit but seemed a bit tired towards the end. Solano had a great shot that went close in the second half and put in a few good crosses. O'Brien was the better of the two centre backs, but that is mainly because of Dabizas's horrible attempt at trying to score at the wrong end. Given made a few important saves as well. Agree with Clarky with regard to Hughes, he was fantastic, setting up two and defending well.

In centre midfield, we had two players who both played very deep. For the first Bolton goal, Speed's pass was awful and for the second the whole team was camped in the box, meaning when the clearance fell to Southall on the edge of the box there was nobody to close him down. Two good finishes from them anyway, they put away their chances well.

Bolton had one up front for virtually the whole second half, and I thought we were never going to score the third at some points but eventually we got what we deserved.

I still don't understand why the Bolton players got so upset over their first goal. Don't they know the 6 second rule? It was good to see a referee actually enforce that rule as so many times it has been ignored, Barthez last season and Dudek this season held it for 12 seconds at some stages (yes I know I'm sad, but I did count them :) )

Very important win, made even sweeter by Arsenal only drawing. Southampton next week is just as vital, and will be a different sort of game completely. I wonder if Jenas will play for us at some stage?

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002


Agree with comments above. Defensively we were poorish - making too many mistakes. I was interested in the wee laddies perfomance in midfield. He had a lot of possession and played as the link man. Bolton give up the centre of the pitch so it was easy to play in that position - but he played well within that very constrained role. No really penetrative balls or runs, but OK. The jury is still out as far as I am concerned.

Hughes played very well and was dangerous. Distin had a better positional game (not too hard to do that at LB!), but impressed with his defensive work and some of his link up play with Robert. But his attacking play wwas poor.

Robert is our best technical player and his fast whipped crosses were full of menace.

Solano looks rejuvenated and played well IMO. Speed below par - but OK.

Shearer and Bellamy - the best attacking duo in the Premiership.

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002


Thanks for the first-hand reports - we didn't get much info out of the terrible Metro commentary today. Did we? No we certainly didn't. Did we?

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002


Guys - was Wyn the Leap there - what welcome did he get ?

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002

Yes Josh, Wyn Davis walked out onto the pitch at HT, all alone - when 70% of the crowd had gone for a jimmy riddle, a mince pie, or posibly both. It took the announcer for ever to actually announce who had walked out.

He got a respectful reception, but nothing like the wonderful, emotion-packed reception he got from the Toon Army at the Reebok Stadium a couple of months ago.

He was my biggest hero, and I found his introduction terribly shabby and dreadfully disappointing - much like other recent similar events. Unless they are prepared to do these things properly, and pay these legends proper respect, I wish they wouldn't bother.

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002


Yes - a shame that Wyn the leap was presented in this way as Clarky says. Half time and hardly anyone in their seats. The man was a crucial part of the only United team to win anything in the last 47 years. Surely the club can present these things better than this. It would have been better to see him before kick off. Love you to bits Wyn. Thanks for those performances and goals in '69. Those of us who were there - we will NEVER forget. A hero.

The game. Hughes was outstanding as commented by others. Wonderful crosses for the two headed goals. I've always rated Hughes as a wing back. He can go past players and delivers a devastating cross. (From either wing as I recall from previous games). Well done bonny lad.

Very difficult game for United as I hinted it might be yesterday. To our credit we are the ONLY top 5 team to have beaten them at home, surpassing the efforts of Arse, Pool, Leeds and erm - the other one whose name escapes me.

Just to correct an error from earlier in the thread - the first goal was a mistake by McClen. An underhit backpass (similar to Rob Lee at home to Spurs) put their player clean through with just Shay to beat. Shocking mistake - I felt for the lad.

Bolton impressed. There is skill in the side and excellent organisation. It would be a shame to see them go down, especially after their performances at Old Trafford and other high flying teams this season. Good luck to them. "Down with the Mackems" sang the fans. It seems to me that the Mackems might be Bolton's cast iron insurance policy.

I'm sure the Mackems will be disappointed that they failed to get the result that would have put us top tonight. The phrase "Between a rock and a hard place" springs readily to mind here. :-)

No matter - we are now in POLE POSITION for the title. Win all our games and no-one can stop us. Wishful thinking I guess - I'm sure Ferguson's pact with the devil will see him finish his career as champions, but I, amongst many, , would love it, just love it if I'm wrong. :-)

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002

Horribly drunk. Wife went away for the weekend with daughter. Horribly drunk. Just learned we won. Howay! Played volleyball for the Helsinki team and won broze for in a major national tournament. Horribly durnk. Howay. Championshuo.

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002

Thanks for the eyewitness reports, folks! I thought all our players must've been stuck at the wrong end of the pitch for Bolton's 2nd goal, but impossible to figure out what's happening from the webcast. Great that we're beginning to show the ability to win when we're forced to battle. That's the mark of championship contenders. I just hope it continues! :-)

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2002


Sunday Times:

Afterwards, inevitably, Robson was asked if Newcastle, currently second, can win the Premiership this season.

“If you start counting your chickens before they are hatched they won’t lay the eggs,” he explained rather bizarrely.

(Makes perfect sense to me!)

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002


Mika would definitely understand it.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

I just read the Times and according to their report, Bobby said : 'We certainly didn't when we were twice behind in this game. If we start counting our chickens before they are hatched, WE won't lay the egg!' Is this because we're Cock of the North? Or Spouse of Cock of the North??

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

Not the Times, it's on Soccernet

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

Barry...more info via:

http://www.eggrecipes.co.uk/home.html

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002



Just watched Bellamy's winner again on the box. One of the best goals I've seen us score this season.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

Aye it was pretty good, Hughes' volleyed cross was something special, put right into the danger zone.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

The build up and finish on the 3rd goal was terrific, a wonderful goal with which to win a game. However, my personal favourite was Shearer's 2nd. He ran full tilt from the edge of the box and weaved between a couple of defenders to get on the end of that great cross from AH, and absolutely thundered it in - great goal and vintage Shearer.

I'll tell you what, Mr Robson may still be in denial regarding our Championship chances, but it is clear that Mr Shearer has started to smell it.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002


All three goals were good, the first was brilliant considering there was an 10 man wall in the way.

The second was a firm Shearer header - not many could head like that out of all the strikers in the PL at the moment.

The third capped it off, I thought it was never going to come, but relief and excitation when it did.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002


I'm pleased so many have highlighted Hughsie's performance. Inevitably, Shearer got MotM but IMHO, Hughes was outstanding. All credit to the lad - well, not all. Methinks YBR has worked a marvel on him. Let's hope his experiment of playing a 4th CB at LB is equally successful.

Well done Aaron - what a difference a year makes. Keep it up bonny lad.

PS. The Stealth Astra © was safely parked up on the pavement in Blyth all day, thus allowing me the rare (!) opportunity to share a few beers with the Straabeery clique (nice to see you Jonno, Dougal, Softie & Bro, Pilgrim Father, Steph, Dr Bill and Pit Bill, not to mention another Mysteriuous guest appearance. Carry on at this rate and your subs will be due ;-)

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002


I agree with a lot that has been said already. To me, we looked very tired, which isn't surprising bearing in mind that we have played three games in a week. Bolton had only played two and looked fresher. I thought our defending in the first half was awful with Ricketts repeatedly in acres and the midfield offering next to no protection. In the second half, we were much better at the back. I thought Given was great, the CHs OK but gave Ricketts a lot of space and would have been punished more by a better side. I thought Distin was good until the last fifteen minutes. It was a joy to see him linking up with Lolo and giving him the ball. Speed looked flat but clearly isn't fit so I won't say anything critical about him. McClen has been criticised for their first goal but I actually thought he might have done better if he'd been given some support. Lolo was ace, as was Solano. Bellamy was top notch and Shearer was the wonderful predator of his younger days. I was delighted for Hughesie. A goal and three assists in one week is as much as we can ask for from a fullback. I have thought his confidence was thin in this position, with his CH instincts making him a bit cautious going forward. I hope this has given him some confidence back.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

Basically outstanding going forward, not so good at the back.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

Can't disagree with any of the comments above. A bit of a nerve jangling match but enjoyable. I mean we've played 3 games in 7 days, won all 3 and scored 10 goals. Not bad.

Hughes - absolutely brilliant and gets better and better. Lots of confidence to get forward and support the strikers. Great to see him blossom this way.

Not comfortable for LB. What's up with Bernard? He was on the bench but not seen fit to play there. We are STILL so weak in that position.

Hope Jenas is as good as they say. Our midfield needs him!

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002


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