Am “Devastated” For That Rating After The Poor Performance From, What Will I Say

Walsall 2-1 Bolton Wanderers – The Player match ratings

LUKE SOUTHWOOD…6.5.

Made a couple of good saves in the second half and also contributed to the nervousness with a few awkward clearances and fumbles.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…6.

Playing again as a wider centre-half, his pace got Wanderers out of a couple of holes, but it is clear to see it is not his preferred position.

WILL FORRESTER…5.5.

Started the game soundly enough and looked comfortable on the ball but looked swamped towards the end.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…6.5.

Won’t be happy with the defending for either of second-half goals but came out with credit after a superb first half.

RANDELL WILLIAMS…5.5.

Not as effective as he had been against Burton in the same right-sided role. Struggled to make any real inroads into the home defence.

JOSH SHEEHAN…6.

Came up with a brilliant moment in the second half which really should have been a platform for victory. Not as influential as he has been in recent games, though.

JAY MATETE…5.5.

Like Sheehan, a rather muted version of what we have seen of late. Midfield was a frantic place and he was pushed to the margins.

SZABI SCHON…6.

Positive on the ball in the first half and threatened early on. Walsall soon found the gaps in behind him, though, and he was pinned back for most of the second half.

KLAIDI LOLOS…5.5.

Some nice touches early on, and he linked well with Schon, but his impact diminished as the second half approached and he ran out of steam completely in the end.

SCOTT ARFIELD…5.

Should have had a penalty – but the Scot is labouring in the eyes of the Bolton supporters and left the field to ironic cheers. Desperately needs a change in direction.

DION CHARLES…5.5.

Caused problems with his pace for about half an hour and should have scored when one-on-one with Simkin. After that, didn’t have the same bite.

Subs: Collins 5, 68 (for Lolos) – One cross-shot but not a great deal else.

McAtee 5, 68 (for Arfield) – Lost in a bang average final half-hour for Bolton.

Adeboyejo 5, 75 (for Charles) – Added very little by the end.

Not used: Dllimore, Santos, Inwood, Matheson, Lewis, Sharples-Ahmed.

Walsall (3-5-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Barrett, Jellis, Stirk, Earing, Gordon; Lowe, Adomah.

Subs: Lakin 30 (for Stirk), Daniels 78 (for Williams), Hall 79 (for Earing), Matt 86 (for Adomah).

Not used: Hornby, McEntee, Cleary, Weir, Johnson.

Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo 6/10 – Scott Arfield’s penalty shout was legitimate in the first half and he wasn’t helped by a couple of strange offside calls from his linesman. Otherwise fair enough.

Attendance: 6,684 (1,600).

MAN OF THE MATCH – George Johnston.

First half display was exemplary, one of only a few Bolton players who genuinely looked ‘up for the cup’. Southwood’s second-half saves earned him an honourable mention but Johnston was still Bolton’s most impressive performer by a whisker.

MOAN OF THE MATCH – The simplistic nature with which Bolton were undone for the two goals. The League Two Saddlers were just quicker to everything.

MAGIC MOMENT – Josh Sheehan’s free kick was a work of art. It’s just a shame that it didn’t count for anything in the end.

ATMOSPHERE – Credit to Walsall’s supporters, they picked up the volume in the second half and roared their fans home. Bolton’s travelling army deserved better for their constant and positive backing, albeit there were a few pointy barbs.