MATCHWATCH : Bolton Wanderers (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Wednesday August 20, 8pm
Where : Toughsheet Community Stadium, Burnden Way, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6JW
Capacity : 28,723

Just what we all want after the atrocious start, a visit to Bolton Wanderers, one of the most miserable places for Reading teams down the years. Still it’s midweek and Bolton begins with B so there might be a chance, even if it is on the telly.

Bolton have hardly flown out of the blocks either but at least they've won a league game and scored league goals. So far Bolton have been gubbed by 2 at Stockport, beaten Plymouth, just about overcome Sheffield Wed Youth in the league cup and collected a point last time out at Barnsley therefore they are now on a 3 game unbeaten run, something which Reading can only dream about.

The Trotters have brought in eleven players so far, including four loans (Teddy Sharman-Lowe (GK), Amario Cozier-Duberry (MF), Marson Burstow (ST), Ibrahim Cissoko (ST)). Six have left (incl. Southwood) following last season's disappointment though. Xavier Simons (Wycombe), Ethan Erhahon (Lincoln) and Sam Dalby (Wrexham) are possibly the best of the new boys so there'll be plenty to keep Reading occupied.

Noel has made a rod for his own back now after the mess he made of team selection and tactics for the Wimbledon game so now presumably he can only get better. One would hope that the likes of Doyle will start and that experiments involving playing DMs as AMs and vice versa will quietly be dumped where they belong. Dorsett could be involved again, hopefully at the expense of Jacob, but no doubt we'll find another sudden injury has happened to add to O'Connor and Lane.

Referee

Tom "sorry probably no hope here either" Reeves

Previously

20 Jan 24 > Wigan Athletic 1-0 Reading
23 Sep 23 > Blackpool 4-1 Reading

Historically

Just the three wins to show from eighteen previous league visits to Bolton Wanderers and all league games have been played in the years since 1984. Only one clean sheet has been managed by Reading in those games as well. Bolton have managed more than double the number of Reading wins so Bolton away is a game that usually results in a bad case of depression.

However, on the upside, this century Reading have only lost three of their nine visits to Bolton (W2 D4 L3) and have scored four goals in the last 2 visits (just a shame they’ve conceded ten in those two games).

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
2. NOW App/Sky Sports Football
3. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use an RoyalTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Hound]

My eyesight isn’t the best but I think it was Dorsett (and Rushesha) who were warming up with the squad before kick off yesterday - presumably as back ups should someone get injured in the warm up. So I assume Dorsett was fit but left out of Wimbledon

It’s a tough call this, last thing we want to do is make mass changes again but I think we need to do something different

JP
Abrefa Williams Burns Dorsett
Wing savage Doyle
Kyeweraa O Mahony Ehibhatiomhan

Stevens Ryan Stickland Elliott Fraser Garcia Jacob

[windermereROYAL]

Doesn`t look like that referee like`s travelling too far, must live in the vicinity

[WestYorksRoyal]

I'll take conceding fewer than 5 this time. But can only see a defeat.

[Snowflake Royal]

It’s a tough call this, last thing we want to do is make mass changes again but I think we need to do something different

JP
Abrefa Williams Burns Dorsett
Wing savage Doyle
Kyeweraa O Mahony Ehibhatiomhan

Stevens Ryan Stickland Elliott Fraser Garcia Jacob

I don’t think that's particularly different tbh.

I would go with that exact team. But I'd also be happy with Elliott in for Doyle, or Ryan in for Dorsett. Even Abrefa on the left and Ahmed right if we have to.

Also happy to leave Kelvin up top, I don't think we're going to do him any favours switching him between CF and LW, we need to pick one and stick, and until we sign a second striker, I think it has to be CF. In which case... I guess Camara on the left. At least his results record is good.

[Hound]

It’s fairly different. Williams and Dorsett more physical at the back, likewise more physicality up front and one of the DMs out and Doyle (or Elliott) in. Abrefa would be the fb going into midfield rather than Jacob/Dorsett. More threat from set pieces. Otherwise looks like panic to change too much more at this stage. That might be the game after…

[Royal Monkey]

It’s a tough call this, last thing we want to do is make mass changes again but I think we need to do something different

JP
Abrefa Williams Burns Dorsett
Wing savage Doyle
Kyeweraa O Mahony Ehibhatiomhan

Stevens Ryan Stickland Elliott Fraser Garcia Jacob

I don’t think that's particularly different tbh.

I would go with that exact team. But I'd also be happy with Elliott in for Doyle, or Ryan in for Dorsett. Even Abrefa on the left and Ahmed right if we have to.

Also happy to leave Kelvin up top, I don't think we're going to do him any favours switching him between CF and LW, we need to pick one and stick, and until we sign a second striker, I think it has to be CF. In which case... I guess Camara on the left. At least his results record is good.

Your happy to play Abrefa, an out and out right back at left back even though we have 4 left backs to choose from but we definitely shouldn’t switch Kelvin between CF and LF and should stick to one position even tho he is capable of playing both ????
You talk absolute nonsense !!

[Snowflake Royal]

It’s a tough call this, last thing we want to do is make mass changes again but I think we need to do something different

JP
Abrefa Williams Burns Dorsett
Wing savage Doyle
Kyeweraa O Mahony Ehibhatiomhan

Stevens Ryan Stickland Elliott Fraser Garcia Jacob

I don’t think that's particularly different tbh.

I would go with that exact team. But I'd also be happy with Elliott in for Doyle, or Ryan in for Dorsett. Even Abrefa on the left and Ahmed right if we have to.

Also happy to leave Kelvin up top, I don't think we're going to do him any favours switching him between CF and LW, we need to pick one and stick, and until we sign a second striker, I think it has to be CF. In which case... I guess Camara on the left. At least his results record is good.

Your happy to play Abrefa, an out and out right back at left back even though we have 4 left backs to choose from but we definitely shouldn’t switch Kelvin between CF and LF and should stick to one position even tho he is capable of playing both ????
You talk absolute nonsense !!

He's covered there before, last season iirc, and you can clearly see it's hardly my first choice, I said 'if we have to' not 'I'm happy to' but rather him than Jacob right now.

[Snowflake Royal]

It’s fairly different. Williams and Dorsett more physical at the back, likewise more physicality up front and one of the DMs out and Doyle (or Elliott) in. Abrefa would be the fb going into midfield rather than Jacob/Dorsett. More threat from set pieces. Otherwise looks like panic to change too much more at this stage. That might be the game after…

I guess it's fairly different to Wimbledon, but closer to how I think we seemed to intend to start the season.

[Sutekh]

Pereira
Abrefa Burns Williams Ryan
Fraser
Elliott Wing
Lane MOM Doyle

Subs
Stevens
WiFi
Rushesha
Savage
Kyerewaa
Garcia
Camara

[traff]

Just play the team from the win at Portsmouth, cant see it can do any worse than the current "first team"

[Mid Sussex Royal]

My eyesight isn’t the best but I think it was Dorsett (and Rushesha) who were warming up with the squad before kick off yesterday - presumably as back ups should someone get injured in the warm up. So I assume Dorsett was fit but left out of Wimbledon

It’s a tough call this, last thing we want to do is make mass changes again but I think we need to do something different

JP
Abrefa Williams Burns Dorsett
Wing savage Doyle
Kyeweraa O Mahony Ehibhatiomhan

Stevens Ryan Stickland Elliott Fraser Garcia Jacob

Yes - Hunt confirmed after the game Dorsett was fit but not selected.

Agree with that back line.

This would have been something of a free hit if we had some points on the board, but given we could be marooned at the bottom as we play last (even though only 4 games) it certainly isn't.

[Wycombe Royal]

Things I don't want to see at Bolton:
1) Wing playing just in front of the back 4. He is wasted there.
2) Defensive midfielders playing in attacking positions
3) Significant amounts of long balls
4) Michael Stickland
5) Matty Jacob
6) Garcia on the left wing
7) An over-reliance on Wing. We always seem to look to get him the ball. It is disrupting our play. In some ways we might be better without him in the side as it would bring others into the game and allow space for both Elliot and Doyle in the midfield

Things I do want to see at Bolton:
1) Derrick Williams starting
2) Garcia at left back
3) Fraser at CDM
4) Doyle starting
5) Playing through the midfield and utilising the wide areas more
6) Ehibhatiomhan at left wing
7) O'Mahony starting, but only because we have no other option at this time.
Quicker movement of the ball and better running off the ball.

[Snowflake Royal]

Just play the team from the win at Portsmouth, cant see it can do any worse than the current "first team"

That was kinda part of the problem against Wimbledon. Kept too many of the cup players in.

Neither Garcia nor Ahmed should have started.

[tidus_mi2]

Part of me wants us to lose 5-2 again just because of how ridiculous it would be to lose 5-2 away to Bolton 3 seasons in a row.

[Hound]

Just play the team from the win at Portsmouth, cant see it can do any worse than the current "first team"

That was kinda part of the problem against Wimbledon. Kept too many of the cup players in.

Neither Garcia nor Ahmed should have started.

I wouldn’t have started either. But I think it’s a bit of a sign of the mixed up thinking to bring them both into the first 11 when they hadn’t previously played a league minute in the 2 games we’ve played

FWIW I don’t think either did particularly badly but it’s a confused message. Esp when Abrefa has been good previous two games and didn’t deserve to be dropped.

[Snowflake Royal]

Just play the team from the win at Portsmouth, cant see it can do any worse than the current "first team"

That was kinda part of the problem against Wimbledon. Kept too many of the cup players in.

Neither Garcia nor Ahmed should have started.

I wouldn’t have started either. But I think it’s a bit of a sign of the mixed up thinking to bring them both into the first 11 when they hadn’t previously played a league minute in the 2 games we’ve played

FWIW I don’t think either did particularly badly but it’s a confused message. Esp when Abrefa has been good previous two games and didn’t deserve to be dropped.

Agree, although I think Garcia continues to be poor on the wing.

[The Cap]

That was kinda part of the problem against Wimbledon. Kept too many of the cup players in.

Neither Garcia nor Ahmed should have started.

I wouldn’t have started either. But I think it’s a bit of a sign of the mixed up thinking to bring them both into the first 11 when they hadn’t previously played a league minute in the 2 games we’ve played

FWIW I don’t think either did particularly badly but it’s a confused message. Esp when Abrefa has been good previous two games and didn’t deserve to be dropped.

Agree, although I think Garcia continues to be poor on the wing.

Yeah and how did he miss that opportunity against the Wombles? Shirley you'd have stuck that one away SR.

[traff]

Just play the team from the win at Portsmouth, cant see it can do any worse than the current "first team"

That was kinda part of the problem against Wimbledon. Kept too many of the cup players in.

Neither Garcia nor Ahmed should have started.

Was only being half serious.
Think we should just pick any 10 players to park the bus and see if we can let in less than the obligatory 5. Could spend the time with the others back at Bearwood trying to learn to play in a competent manner.

[Hound]

That was kinda part of the problem against Wimbledon. Kept too many of the cup players in.

Neither Garcia nor Ahmed should have started.

I wouldn’t have started either. But I think it’s a bit of a sign of the mixed up thinking to bring them both into the first 11 when they hadn’t previously played a league minute in the 2 games we’ve played

FWIW I don’t think either did particularly badly but it’s a confused message. Esp when Abrefa has been good previous two games and didn’t deserve to be dropped.

Agree, although I think Garcia continues to be poor on the wing.

He was decent up to the missed chance thereafter rubbish. Like most of the side tbf