Well not many people would have predicted it but a valuable three points were secured at home to Liverpool in the late afternoon game at the Reebok stadium.

In retrospect the game itself  was difficult to analyse but it would be right to say that the Wanderers benefitted from a committed team effort both in attack and defence, and in truth probably just ‘wanted it’ that bit more than Liverpool.

In terms of performances both David N’Gog and Mark Davies were the standout players for the Wanderers.

N’Gog was forced to plough a lonely furrow in the Bolton 4-5-1 formation but he did it with aplomb. The young Frenchman playing against his former club was clearly in a competitive mood and fought with a great deal of success for every ball that was put in his direction. The target man role appears to suit his athletic frame and his quick feet proved to be the key to releasing his teammates into attacking positions.

Mark Davies was the beneficiary of an early N’Gog layoff that saw him drive unchallenged into the Liverpool box before unleashing an inch perfect left-footed strike into the corner of Pepe Reina’s goal.  The dynamic midfielder was at the heart of all Bolton’s slick passing movement and in the absence of Stuart Holden is flourishing as an attacking maestro.

Credit has to be given to the rest of the midfield 5. Petrov and Eagles were a constant threat with their direct running and service into the box. Reo-Coker, wearing the captain’s armband, was simply everywhere and took his goal very well. Muamba had a quiet game and that is an excellent thing as it means he was busy running the hard yards, disrupting play and shutting down channels, that is what we want him to be doing and preferably not touching the ball.

One slight concern was the Liverpool goal scored by Craig Bellamy just before half time. It highlighted the glaringly obvious danger that Wheater and Knight pose as a central partnership. Bellamy a 32 year old with dodgy knees completely blitzed past Knight after Wheater lost the aerial challenge with Carroll. Bogdan, who had another solid game, was too slow off his line which is something he will improve on with experience.

Quiet amazingly and fortuitously, Liverpool failed to recognise the danger their speed could cause our backline in the second half, but the point does remain that fresher and faster legs will need to be brought in sooner rather than later.

Praise be to Sam Ricketts for his timely return from injury and shoring up that tricky left back position, and special mention to Steinnson for a great finish and solid defensive display.

I for one cannot wait for the next game, although a cup-tie against the Welsh Barcelona is far from ideal, it will be a good practice session for the midweek home fixture against Arsenal. We’re out of the bottom three and I really fancy us to give the Gunners a game. COYWM!