Post-Match - Bolton (a)

[DannyMan2006]

Brave: Threw himself laterally to stop a shot (from Cohen?) headed for goal. Far post header to deny Knight(?) and get a knock on the head when our other players were doing the usual shrinking violet routine.

Dominant: The number of long balls thrown at Davies we should have conceded 5. The fact we only conceded one from them had a LOT to do with Kyri constantly winning aerial battles against the very dangerous Davies.

Had a few ironing out issues, but was never caught out of position for his first game which was surprisingly good and played the pass of the season to Torres who messed up an easy opportunity.

Did you only see Match of the Day?

Seriously mate?

Bolton play the same way every single week, yet I don't think they've ever scored five, in fact it could be said that they struggle in scoring goals, expecially having failed to score prior to playing Liverpool.

Kevin Davies is a tough player to play against in your first premiership game so this has to be considered. But no matter how good you are as a defender, one **** up un does all the good work you do and that was nearly the case for Kyrgiakos when he got out muscled by Davies for the second goal.

[DannyMan2006]

I thought Insua, the Greek and Johnson were very good today. For a debut it was a good performance by him and if you look at the performance in the context of his price, it seems like job well done by Rafa. Insua has to be first choice now, I thought he and Riera linked up very well. If Insua improves his already decent crossing we are sorted in that position. Johnson.... well the quality is there for all to see. Carra is having a poor start to the season, but to be fair, his organisational qualities are second to none. If we could get a decent striking option in to give Torres a rest, I'd feel pretty good about our squad, with Aquilani, Agger and Aurelio to return.

[Mattshark]

I thought Insua, the Greek and Johnson were very good today. For a debut it was a good performance by him and if you look at the performance in the context of his price, it seems like job well done by Rafa. Insua has to be first choice now, I thought he and Riera linked up very well. If Insua improves his already decent crossing we are sorted in that position. Johnson.... well the quality is there for all to see. Carra is having a poor start to the season, but to be fair, his organisational qualities are second to none. If we could get a decent striking option in to give Torres a rest, I'd feel pretty good about our squad, with Aquilani, Agger and Aurelio to return.

I didn't think Insua was particularly good today, he still is not up to Aurelio's standard.

[BigChief]

I didn't think Insua was particularly good today, he still is not up to Aurelio's standard.

I agree, I think he's a great back up to an in-form Aurelio but not his replacement (yet). Aurelio has a turn of pace, vision and better venture than Insua. But Insua is young and hopefully will continue to progress. I'm glad we have Insua though, that's for sure.

[BigChief]

Bolton play the same way every single week, yet I don't think they've ever scored five, in fact it could be said that they struggle in sk they've ever scored five, in fact it could be said that they struggle in scoring goals, expecially having failed to score prior to playing Liverpool.

And that is key. We are the charity set up to help sh*t clubs (Villa, Bolton) get over their goal droughts.

I reiterate, with the current state of our defensive slumber we could have conceded a lot more due to Bolton's direct game with a strong player like Davies. The fact we didn't is largely thanks to Kyri. Not covering up for his defensive lapses in the game, but will put them down to first game nerves. On the whole, he's the complete Hyppia replacement with more pace, in my eyes.

[DannyMan2006]

I agree, I think he's a great back up to an in-form Aurelio but not his replacement (yet). Aurelio has a turn of pace, vision and better venture than Insua. But Insua is young and hopefully will continue to progress. I'm glad we have Insua though, that's for sure.

Insua is faster for me and better as an over lapping attacking full back. But I think Aurelio gives us better balance.

[DannyMan2006]

And that is key. We are the charity set up to help sh*t clubs (Villa, Bolton) get over their goal droughts.

I reiterate, with the current state of our defensive slumber we could have conceded a lot more due to Bolton's direct game with a strong player like Davies. The fact we didn't is largely thanks to Kyri. Not covering up for his defensive lapses in the game, but will put them down to first game nerves. On the whole, he's the complete Hyppia replacement with more pace, in my eyes.

He did okay on his debut. Had that been his tenth game I would have been livid. But now is not the time to judge too harshly. I was more aghast at him being caught out in possession and gifting a pass in a dangerous position than anything else, both which can be put down to sharpness and the pace of the game.

[Mattshark]

Insua is faster for me and better as an over lapping attacking full back. But I think Aurelio gives us better balance.

Can't agree, Aurelio is great as an attacking full back and is a far better crosser than Insua.

[EwarWoo]

Aurelio is still the best, but Insua is looking pretty good in his development and as the potential to be better.

We can't go wrong with either of 'em playing IMHO.

[Craig_H]

I love the way everyone's simply calling him 'the greek'

[Baracus]

I'd perfer 'Kos' rather than THE geek

[BigChief]

I love the way everyone's simply calling him 'the greek'

Yeah, got a chuckle from me as well.

So who's Bunk? :wink:

[MrMichael]

Aurelio is still the best, but Insua is looking pretty good in his development and as the potential to be better.

We can't go wrong with either of 'em playing IMHO.

I've been wondering if Rafa will think about playing Aurelio in the middle when/if he's ever fit enough and sticking with Insua on the left. Aurelio looked quite good there in the one or two games Rafa tried that last season and he might be a good short-term option in Lucas' current position while Aquilani gets the hang of things.

[Fan65]

Decent analysis. I'm a ****ing high right now, having been through the emotional mill. But **** it, we ****ing won. And i'd argue that, by playing poorly and winning, we are looking MORE like contenders than we did last week.



No **** sherlock. The opposition losing a man, working in our favour? Whatever next?

Stelios was very good in the air, a little careless on the ground, but he looks a useful option to have. To be fair, i'm not having that we were lucky today. Apart from set pieces, Bolton were about as threatening as a lemon.

We seriously need to sort our defending out though. Every single one of the 7 goals we've conceded this season, has come from a set piece. Bizarre and very unlike us. We either need to sort our defending out, or stop giving away set pieces, cos no ****er looks like scoring against us from open play.

Torres looked much sharper after his goal. Heard rumours that his lack of sharpness is nothing to do with fitness, and more to do with the perceived instability of Rafa's position. But we'll see.

Special mention for Johnson, who was very good again. He could well hit double figures if he continues like this. Lucas wasnt as bad as the media will have you believe, but he needs to man up sharpish. Far too often, he goes hiding, instead of showing for the ball. And more often than not, he'll just play a 5 yard ball square to SG, instead of advancing with it. Man up Lucas, you're here because you're capable - so stop pussying about and step up, cos you CAN ****ing do it.

Also mention for Insua today, who was as useful an option down the left as he often is.

All in all, i dont give a **** what the press say about 'luck' and the sending off. Fact is, the 2nd half was like a training match and we more than deserved to win.

Let's hope some serious work goes on with regards to defending set pieces between now and Burnley on 12th September. Aside from that, my only concern is why we have to put ourselves up against it, before we actually play with a high tempo and push teams back. When we started doing that, we had Bolton pegged back for 40 minutes and the goals were always coming.

Rock on.

Very good summation of the match, got to agree about Lucas, I like him and always thought he could develop into a decent player but he does need to start proving it and soon. If Aquilani turns out to be as good as he appears then Lucas will have to stand up and be counted if he wants first team action. He'll never have a better time to get a run of games to gain confidence.

Rafa's position is worrying, the transfer fund debarcle seems to show there's something not right behind the scenes but then again if Rafa was to walk because of a lack of support from H&G I believe he would have gone by now. I can't see H&G wanting Rafa out after recentley giving him a contract so maybe they're at a status quo now and it'll settle down until the next transfer window and by then hopefully the squad will look better with the three A's back in contention.

Who'd have thought we'd have a defence problem at centre back, but from set pieces there is an obvious problem. I'm confident that Rafa will sort that out on the training ground and when Skrtel & Agger are both fully fit and the Bubble is up to speed with the premiers pace it'll be tightened up considerably. It should have been sorted during pre season training but that seems to have been a problem this year, the team haven't come out all guns blazing maybe that's down to the behind the scenes wrangling maybe Rafa was close. Who knows ?

[BobTheCharmer]

Aurelio is still the best, but Insua is looking pretty good in his development and as the potential to be better.

We can't go wrong with either of 'em playing IMHO.

Insua has an amazing first touch. kills it instantly. if only kuyt would copy.