HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Tuesday night’s game by delving into their forums.

“How quickly have things regressed since the early Lennon bounce?”, “We got a bounce under Lennon when he first arrived but our performances post-Christmas have been poor”, “Let’s just get this season out of the way and trust Lennon to mould the team in the right way in the pre-season.”

Wanderers’ 2-0 over Millwall on Saturday saw them move to 16th place in the table and maintain a 10-point gap above the relegation places. While safety is pretty well assured, most Trotters will only relax if they can get a positive result in this coming Saturday’s trip to relegation-threatened Wigan.

“Since Christmas we have been dire in general”, “We are going to limp over the line.” Bolton have been hit by severe run of injuries and the emphasis in recent games has been on doing the basics well while bedding a raft of loan signings in, especially after a run of poor defensive performances.

“We are a mid-to-lower table team at the moment. I feel Lennon will need some financial backing but we’re looking a million times better than we did under the last idiot”, “We clearly don’t have much cash so it’s going to be a long turnaround”, “Optimism for next season is waning.”

Neil Lennon

“Don’t you think Lennon has done an unbelievable job considering where we were when he took over and considering our injury list? The lad deserves our support. He’s the best thing to happen to BWFC since Sam Allardyce”, “He talks a lot of sense, and is inspiring and realistic but upbeat.”

“Next season is all about Neil Lennon.” Trotters have great faith in their manager and are quick to point the finger for the team’s mediocrity at squad of players he inherited. “With 17 players possibly out the door in the summer, I’m more bothered about his being able to get the right players in.”

“I’m not on at Lennon. I’m on at our players who keep letting things slip and keep going backwards after initial improvements”, “Lennon is clearly unhappy with the players and has been for a few weeks. I bet he cannot wait for the summer to come so he can get rid of the rubbish we still have.”

Formation

“Back to basics - learn how to keep possession and learn how to work, pass and move. Don’t let the opposition have a lot of the ball, especially late on”, “We haven’t looked as organised since Christmas and started to ship goals, but this has clearly changed in the last couple of games.”

Wanderers have played a simple 4-4-2 system in recent games as they did on Saturday against Millwall [above]. Rather than working to any philosophy, it has been more a case of ‘who have we got’ and trying to bed in a settled starting XI, having had to bring in a raft of loan signings.

“Lennon has shown us there’s only so much you can get out of these players. It’s time for a big clear out and to build a side around the promising youngsters who have helped carry this creaking side along”, “At least folk are now catching on that it is the players who are the problem.”

There is widespread agreement that a rebuild is needed in the summer, with the team lacking both playing quality and leadership. “We need players with backbone and a strong winning mentality”, “We need a proper captain and some other leaders on the pitch.”

Injury Crisis

“The results have been poor recently and the performances not much better, but we’re a team ripped apart by injury”, “All our issues stem from this ridiculous injury crisis we are going through”, “Lennon needs to sort out the fitness and training out because the number of injuries is ridiculous.”

Wanderers are currently without keeper Adam Bogdan (ankle), defenders Marc Tierney, Kevin McNaughton (both broken leg) and David Wheater (hamstring), midfielder Mark Davies (knee) and strikers Zach Clough (shoulder) and Max Clayton (knee).

Wednesday’s starting XI at Ewood Park (above) featured five players (marked ***) who were signed on loan in January. Emile Heskey also arrived in addition as a free agent at the end of December.

For some Trotters, this is no excuse for their recent indifferent run. “I know we have had lousy luck with injuries and have fielded teams where the players hardly know each-others’ names, but we really need to get out of our rabbit-holes and grow some balls.”

Bolton 2 - 0 Millwall

“That was a good result considering our cobbled-together side”, “Millwall were awful and won’t be in this division next season. I know we weren’t much better but three points is all I wanted.” Two first-half Adam Le Fondre goals gave Bolton their first double of the season against a poor Lions side.

“It was a great result but an awful performance on Saturday. It was like watching paint dry. Millwall must be wondering how they didn’t smash us”, “They dominated the game but then that is football. The difference was that we had a finisher and they didn’t.”

Blackburn 1 - 0 Bolton

“With the treatment room looking like a Red Cross field hospital, I would be delighted with a point”, “Have a look at that teamsheet and it’s an assortment of emergency signings and loan players cobbled together”, “I’m looking forward to this but our injury list worries me.”

Most fans felt that the game played last Wednesday was evenly matched before the break, but that the hosts took more control as the second half progressed. They feared the worst when the corner was awarded which led to Jordan Rhodes’s 94th minute match-winning goal.

“It’s a bit worrying that Rovers are getting more chances than us by far”, “We truly are dire”, “We couldn’t keep hold of the ball and gave it away all of the time”, “We were hoofing it anywhere in the last few minutes. It simply was not good enough.”

“We started the game with two players who joined us in the last few days on emergency loans because we were that short. Playing five new loan players was always going to lead to mistakes, a lack of tactical understanding and a lack of cohesion.”

“We cannot defend in the dying seconds yet again.” Many fans were left tearing their hair out at full-time. “We have done it again - it beggars belief”, “Why do we keep doing it to ourselves?” “Can this season just end please?”, “Oh, well - there’s always another game”, “Don’t remind us.”

Bolton 1 - 1 Reading

“Three injuries and a stoppage time goal conceded - standard.” Bolton were forced to make three first half substitutions to replace the injured McNaughton, Wheater and Clough when they played host to the Royals last Tuesday week.

Eidur Gudjohnsen’s opener on the hour mark was cancelled out by Jamie Mackie’s equaliser deep into injury time. “One of my worries is the lack of physical presence in the team. Every team looks so much bigger than us and we get bullied off the ball far too easily.”

“Our defending for the equaliser was abysmal”, “We were flagging towards the end and needed some fresh legs out there and a target man to hold up the ball”, “We should have seen it out again. We switched off for a throw, allowed Blackman to turn, put the ball in and allowed them to shoot.”

“Reading made Sam Allardyce’s tactics against Arsenal seem like 1970s Brazil.” Wanderers were indignant at what they felt were rough-house tactics employed by the Royals and which were permitted by a lenient referee. “The referee was the bastard love-child of Barry Knight”.

“Thank goodness that the result does not matter in the great scheme of things because if it did I’d be smashing the house up. I have not been that frustrated for a long time and they say cheats don’t prosper”, “That referee was definitely up there in the Barry Knight class.”

Last-Minute Goals

“Injuries are bad luck, but switching off is bad football”, “I swear to God, how many times are we throwing points away with the last kick of the game? It’s absolutely unbelievable. I’m fuming here”, “Every game now we concede in the fourth minute of injury time.”

“The best way to stop conceding last-minute goals is to stop sitting back inviting pressure and play in the opponent’s half”, “We lose all these games, home and away in the dying seconds because it’s always us under siege. We really have a losing mentality”, “It’s the story of my life as a Wanderer.”

Defence

“I’m sick of it now. It’s a disgrace to switch off yet again and concede so many last-minute goals. All of our defenders can do one for me, the soft set of bastards - get a completely new back four in for next season. Whoever is brought in cannot be worse than this set.”

Ben Amos

“From what I have seen of Amos, I would be happy to see him as our number one next season.” The 24-year-old keeper has impressed since arriving on loan from Manchester United in January. “He just seems very confident and assured and does what is required”, “He’s another good find.”

“Amos has good anticipation and bosses his area”, “The defence is more solid”, “I have been impressed. He has made some good saves regularly and is not afraid to bollock those in front of him when needed”, “His age, physique and calmness suggests he has the makings of a great keeper.”

Josh Vela has stepped in at right-back since Kevin McNaughton’s injury against Reading. The 21-year-old youth product “is the long term solution as a holding midfielder, but is out of form and not having a great time at full-back”, “He’s just not very good at defending. A full-back he certainly isn’t.”

“Blackburn got more joy in the second half because they started to attack our right side”, “They found our Achilles’ heel in Vela”, He can’t deal with a physical presence too well”, “You forget he’s on the pitch sometimes and like others he gives the ball away far too cheaply in possession.”

“Matt Mills talks a good game but is a poor defender and certainly isn’t captain material.” The 28-year-old ex-Leicester centre-back “is full of stupid fouls and he lost us possession against Millwall with his sloppy play”, “He was dragged out of position against Rotherham and never got back.”

“Mills’s lack of pace leaves us exposed unless the back four drops deep, which doesn’t fit the pressing pattern”, “He’s the slowest player on the pitch”, “He is useful with any chances that come his way from corners and set-pieces”, “He is a good organiser of the defence.”

“Dorian Dervite is our only centre-back with a bit of pace but looks shell-shocked at present. It’s crucial he recovers some form.” The 26-year-old ex-Charlton man “has played well this season but his form has definitely dipped recently”, “He is flat-footed, staying rooted when we push out.”

“Tim Ream is okay at left-back but makes an unconvincing central defender. He has the pace but not the strength”, “He has done better at centre-back when he has a beefcake like Mills beside him”, “He is like Ray Wilkins in that all he does is go sideways or backwards with the ball."

“Ream generally plays okay but has a major mistake in him in every game. He doesn’t read the game well and continually loses runners.” The 27-year-old ex-New York Red Bulls man “is one of the few players who can control a ball as pass it to feet”, “He’s an honest trier but not really a left-back.”

Paddy McCarthy

“I like the look of McCarthy.” The 31-year-old centre-back made his debut on loan from Crystal Palace at Blackburn. “He looks solid and committed, not the best with the ball but he does his job. He’s not fully match fit as he went down with cramp in the second half at Ewood Park.”

“McCarthy has been immense considering how little first-team football he has had”, “I get the impression that if Lennon tells him to run through a wall he will do it”, “I was impressed with him. He won countless headers and played through the pain”, “Nothing spectacular but he is committed.”

Central Midfield

“Giles Coke has a physical presence and did some good things against Blackburn but lost possession a few times in dangerous areas.” The 28-year-old joined on loan from Sheffield Wednesday this month and also made his debut at Ewood Park.

“Coke has looked a bit like a deer in headlights at times but had some good moments. He shouldn’t be afraid to shoot rather than taking the safe option of playing the ball wide”, “He and Danns are similar - workhorses with no real creativity.”

“Barry Bannan plays well and gets stuck in”, “I like his desire to be available for the ball”, “His retention and use of the ball under severe pressure at Blackburn was superb.” The 25-year-old February loan signing from Crystal Palace “was our man of the match by a country mile.”

“Bannan has a chance to revitalise his career here if he has the mentality to do it”, “He is a better technical footballer than Pratley but is nowhere near as effective or hard-working”, “He was superb in the deep-lying playmaker role against Watford, even if his passing was occasionally sloppy.”

Neil Danns

“Lennon’s biggest mistake is continuing to try and play Neil Danns pretty deep.” The 32-year-old ex-Palace man “was playing further up field under Freedman whereas Lennon has put him in a more scrappy holding role”, “He is too liable to get caught in possession dawdling around on the ball.”

“Danns is our only ball-winner in midfield”, “He can be poor in possession but is good at robbing the ball off opponents to launch counter-attacks”, “He is useful when grit is called for. He’s a clogger by definition, but is easily dispossessed when the ball is clogged up between his feet.”

Wide Midfield

“And now Dean Moxey is on - oh dear”, “Needs must”. The 29-year-old ex-Palace left sided defender or midfielder “does keep trying and doesn’t part with the ball like a lit thunder flash when an opponent comes near him”, “He adds more attacking width further forward than Tim Ream.”

“Don’t get me started on Moxey.” Some Wanderers are more scathing in their assessment. “Moxey isn’t a footballer worth sixpence”, “He is notably unable to stand up and walk simultaneously”, “I am slightly concerned that Neil Lennon didn’t spot that Moxey was a complete impostor straight away.”

“Saidy Janko seems like he could develop like Chung did, and turn into a winger who finds himself more effective in the middle.” The 19-year-old right-sided player joined last month on loan from Manchester United. “He has fallen away in recent games and lost some enthusiasm.”

“Lennon doesn’t see Janko as a right-back and I agree. He doesn’t have the discipline to play there”, “He doesn’t look to have anywhere near the close control required to play centrally. I would question his defensive discipline too”, “He left Vela exposed at right back against Blackburn.”

Liam Feeney

“If we had 11 players putting in the effort that Feeney does in every game, we wouldn’t be where we are now. He’s not Ronaldo, but he came from Millwall on a free so he’s not likely to be”, “He has to be the most frustrating player on the pitch. He works hard but his crossing is rubbish.”

“Get a cross in? You’re having a laugh.” The 28-year-old right-winger “has been playing on the left recently so his crossing is suffering but he still has created more chances and goals than anyone else since joining”, “Feeney is not a complex player but his work-rate is so valuable in the Championship.”

Strikers

One player who won’t feature at Portman Road but is worthy of mention is Zach Clough. The 20-year-old youth product injured his shoulder against Reading, but has been a revelation since scoring on his debut against Wigan in the FA Cup in January.

“Young Master Clough will be a marked man on a few radars now”, “He’s the only player with the ability to pull a rabbit out of a hat in a tight game”, “We don’t want to be a one-man team, but what a one man”, “We seemed to be missing that bit of guile Clough gives us up front against Blackburn.”

“Craig Davies has been a big loss and may have been a bigger factor in our poor run than people realised. He misses chances but his energy, movement and presence are vital”, “He made us look more mobile and a threat up front when he came on at Ewood but he should have scored.”

The 29-year-old ex-Barnsley man played at Blackburn after missing nine games with a hamstring injury. “He should have buried that chance but hit is straight at the Rovers keeper”, “He’s an awkward player who worries defenders at this level with his height, strength and acceleration.”

“I cannot see Eidur Gudjohnsen being kept on as a player next season, but would love to see him do something memorable before he bows out.” The 36-year-old ex-Chelsea man returned to Wanderers in December. “His touch is still class and he will drop deeper and help the midfield out.”

“Eidur has been effective enough to make his starting a risk worth taking”, “He has looked capable of creating things but the movement off him has been poor”, “He is nothing like the player he was and doesn’t appear capable of making an impact, but it has been great to see him back in a white shirt.”

“Middlesbrough fans said that Emile Heskey was the first player they had seen all season who gave their defence a real problem.” The 37-year-old former Liverpool man “won everything but flicked it on to nobody most of the time”, “Heskey and Eidur together are too slow as a combination.”

“The ball sticks with Heskey more even if he is not the greatest goalscorer”, “He is a good option if the ball is coming back at us relentlessly”, “While he can be useful drawing pressure off the defence, I don’t think he should be starting”, “He and Eidur are class, but they are simply past their best.”

Adam Le Fondre

“A great first touch from ALF and he goes on to score. That will do nicely, thank you”, “This is more like Le Fondre, a great striker at this level.” The 28-year-old joined on loan from Cardiff until the end of the season and was praised for his “two very composed finishes” against the Lions on Saturday.

“Le Fondre has some great touches and looks like he wants to get on the scoresheet as much as Heskey doesn’t”, “He’s a classy player and can get better if he has a decent target man alongside him”, “He makes proper centre-forward runs but isn’t physical enough to lead the line.”

“ALF doesn’t hold the ball up. He’s a cracking striker but the ball comes back at us too quickly”, “He’s all about finishing and doesn’t look the sort to make his own chances”, “He lacks support as our midfield can’t be bothered to venture over the halfway line so he ends up isolated.”

Trotters’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“We might not be full of confidence for the massive Wigan game on Saturday after we have been stuffed at Ipswich on Tuesday”, “I’d take a draw right now”,“They have gone slightly off the boil and we have some physical presence in the team now so I think we can nick a draw.”

“Ipswich are on a really bad run. I'll be pretty hacked off if we don't take anything from the match.” There have been a small number of score predictions, most forecasting a home win or a draw, but not sufficient yet to build an overall picture of their mood.

As is often the case with midweek games, there has been little discussion so far about the match and no mention yet of our memorable play-off game. I will update the forum on Tuesday afternoon is there any comment and link this via my twitter feed.

Most estimates of visiting supporter numbers have been between 250 and 500 given the evening kick-off and the distance involved. “By the way, credit to anybody that's even thinking of driving to Ipswich on a Tuesday night”, “Travel-wise, it’s the worst away game in the division.”

Websites

There are a number of active Bolton message boards. The busiest two are The Wanderer and Wanderers Ways .

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

Steve_M added 12:05 - Mar 16 Looks like everyone will be turning up full of confidence tomorrow night then. This one is pretty much a must-win game now and a team relatively-safe but not playing well should be ideal opponents.
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blueherts added 12:24 - Mar 16 Feeney will test our FBs but we MUST be able to beat this lot
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TR11BLU added 15:22 - Mar 16 Its a Must, must win.
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Vancouver_Blue added 16:07 - Mar 16 If we don't get 3 points against the Trotters, I really am going to be concerned that we don't make the playoffs
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Superblue95 added 18:48 - Mar 16 Two teams woefully out of form...should make for a classic! Please god just win this game
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BlueMachines added 19:41 - Mar 16 No mention of the play off defeat. Are they finally over it? Or are their problems so bad that they temporarily forgotten. Can't imagine it's the former!!
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Northstandoldie added 19:52 - Mar 16 There were a couple of references to a certain Mr Barry Knight I believe......
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Kieron_FJ added 12:38 - Mar 17 Certainly a winnable game, fairly similar side to us, but it think we have more class, I see Mccarthy has stuck to the usual back four again! Even so a must win game and I believe it is one where we can certainly get all 3 points. COYB!!
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