Bolton (a) 11/08/07 Match Report

Well, what can I say, what a start to the season and were TOP OF THE LEAGUE get in there. A quite brilliant first half performance from the lads everyone bar one were excellent. We quite dominated the first half with Bolton penned in to their own half for most of the first 40 mins. Two excellent taken goals and bit of luck on the 3rd but Im not complaining. Sam got his tactics spot on, the 4-3-3 penned Bolton in and gave us a lot width with Alan Smith and Martins acting like Wingers who could go upfront to support Viduka or slot back into midfield, that formation gave us a lot of flexability something we haven’t seen in our side for 3-4 years. That first half performance is the best we have played especially away from home for at least 2-3 years, I haven’t seen us dominate a team like that for god knows how long. The 2nd half was non-eventer, Bolton were going to attack us, they did for 10 mins which they scored, then they went to their old ways of booting it up direct, which we dealt with easily after that, there was no need to go and try to get a couple more, we don’t want any more injuries and thankfully we didn’t. Three more points next weekend and it will have been our best start in the league for almost a decade. I’m expecting a good atmosphere next Saturday, fans know that this is a different team and management than the last couple of years where the football we played was quite shocking and boring. I for one will get behind the team. HOWAY THE LADS!!!

Player Ratings

Steve Harper – 7

Again another solid performance for the best back-up keeper in the premiership, couldn’t do anything about their goal, and was there when called upon which was rarely. His distribution is much better than shays.

Stephen Carr – 6

Played OK, until his marking on Anelka for the goal, his positioning was quite shocking, but why was he marking Anelka, something Sam Im sure will sort out on the training ground.

David Rozehnal – 7

Very solid performance, this guy looks like he has a touch of class about him, he’s quick, strong, good in the air and has a good touch on the ball, finally a replacement somewhere near to the class of woodgate.

Steven Taylor – 7

Again, another 120% performance from Taylor, certainly looked very good in a solid CB partnership with Rozehnal, seemed to cut a lot of his errors of giving away stupid free kicks on the edge of the box, hopefully the experience of Rozehnal and Cacapa will let him fulfil the potential he has.

Charles N’Zogbia - 8

Looks a completely different player to last season, Charlie I believe is the best young player we have at the club, he’s quick, skilful, strong, can cross and also has a good shot on him. Remember he is not LB, played really well and deserved his goal from an excellent free kick.

Milner – 8

Milner is getting better and better each game he plays, his crossing has vastly improved and he just try’s and try’s. Only a year ago he was 1 hour away from signing permanently for Villa, thankfully for us that didn’t happen.

Geremi – 7

Looked very well, but a mistake on his part for Bolton’s goal, seemed to be out muscled very easily, by Faye I think and 10 secs later Bolton scored. Still a very sold performance and an excellent choice for captain whose experience will be vital.

Butt – 7

Another very solid performance from my player of the season for last season. Just sat back protecting the back 4 and did his job very well especially first half.

Smith – 8

Excellent performance from smudger, battled for everything, and seemed like he has played in the team for the last 2-3 seasons, another excellent buy from Sam, and 10x better than dyer.

Viduka – 8

This guy is one of the best strikers in the Premiership, he is so strong, has an excellent touch, excellent in the air and has got one hell of a shot on him as well. He ripped apart Bolton’s central pairing, and was the catalyst for a dominant performance.

Martins - 9 MOM

Wins the MOM award for his two goals. Seemed to fit very well into the 4-3-3 formation. Took his first excellently, and deserved the luck for his 2nd after a very good run, seems to be much more aware of what he needs to do in a match than last season, where he needs to exploit his pace.

Big Sam – 8

Got his tactics spot on first half, something Mr Roeder could not do. Has got the players gelled into the team very well, fitness levels seemed a lot higher to previous regimes. Another 3 points next Saturday will do very nicely.

The Fans – 10

Again another excellent show from the best supporters in the country. They were in dreamland after 30 mins, I certainly was, song their hearts out again and gave brilliant support to the lads.