Bolton Wanderers Boss Has Spoken Shown The Outcome Of Their “Defeat” And All The…

Bolton Wanderers Boss Has Spoken Shown The Outcome Of Their “Defeat” And All The…

Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Wigan Athletic – Player match ratings

WANDERERS (3-5-2).

NATHAN BAXTER…5.5.

Some very decent saves in there, which prevented this from being a real embarrassment. Some of the distribution left a lot to be desired, though, and putting the ball sky-high gave Bolton’s front men little chance.

GETHIN JONES…5.

A few good blocks to keep Wigan out but having seen more of the ball than most, some of his decisions were difficult to fathom.

RICARDO SANTOS…4.5.

Had a real off-day considering his recent form. Passing radar was off and the movement of Taylor seemed to give him issues. Suspended at Wycombe.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…4.

Smith and Sibbick pulled him all over the place for the first 45 minutes and made for a wobbly performance. Picked up a booking which rules him out at Wycombe.

JORDI OSEI-TUTU…5.

Had a lot of pressure on his shoulders in what was his first league start but never really got going int same way he had against Huddersfield in midweek.

JAY MATETE…4.

Whereas his bravery on the ball was a stand-out on Tuesday night, his reactions were a beat behind Wigan’s midfield. Couldn’t buy a yard.

JOHN MCATEE…4.5.

Really tough to make a case for him in the number eight role on this evidence. Had a spell in the second half where things improved then lost his grip on the game again.

GEORGE THOMASON…4.

A chance or two after the break and they were the only real markers he left on the match, aside from another yellow card.

SZABI SCHON…4.

His miss at 1-0 was a big turning point in the game. Had struggled to make himself relevant to that point, albeit he somehow became the long ball target.

DION CHARLES…4.

One touch in the penalty box all game and just 16 in total. Sub Randell Williams managed more than twice as many in 29 minutes. Isolated and frustrated.

Not used: Southwood, Forrester, Sharples-Ahmed.

Wigan Athletic (4-2-3-1): Tickle; Sibbick, Kerr, Aimson, Sessegnon; Adeeko, M Smith; J Smith, Aasgaard, Thomas; Taylor.

Subs: Olakigbe 62 (for Sessegnon), Carragher 62 (for J Smith), S Smith (for M Smith), Hugill 82 (for Taylor), Weir 82 (for Thomas).

Not used: Watson, McManaman.

Referee: Adam Herczeg 5/10 – Set a very low threshold for yellow cards, which made for an awkward game in the second half. Definitely not to blame for Bolton’s ills, though.

Attendance: 24,448.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Nathan Baxter.

Not necessarily because he stood out in a positive way but more because a few of his saves prevented this from being another thumping. The pick of a very, very poor bunch.

MOAN OF THE MATCH – All the pre-match rhetoric about effort and this is what is served up? Not good enough.

MAGIC MOMENT – A little scuffle in a drinks break at the end of the first half, which approximated the only real fight Bolton had shown to that stage.

ATMOSPHERE – Exactly what was asked before prior to kick off and for most of the first half, for that matter. Once the hope eroded, however, it turned into something quite different. With Sharon Brittan watching on, as strong a backlash as anyone has experienced for a good few years.