In his post match interview on Radio Manchester Gary Megson sounded like a man, not so much at the end of his tether, but one whose tether was ready to snap. Jack Dearden is hardly Jeremy Paxman but his questioning of the manager about the atmosphere at Saturday’s game brought tetchy responses from a man who was clearly struggling to control himself. As many of the fans at the game had spent their time barracking the results of his labours, that was perhaps, understandable and I have no truck with such derision during the game. However, the manager should reflect on what lies behind the booing and slow handclaps. For one thing, the catcalls came from those that were there; the acres of empty seats made a more eloquent comment on the current state of the team. The supporters of Bolton Wanderers are clearly fed up with Gary Megson, his approach to the game, his team selections, his tactics, his interview technique and, probably, the colour of his tie. It might not be fair, but that doesn’t matter any more; his situation is irretrievable. He has to go.
There was plenty of evidence for the prosecution in this game. It began with the starting eleven: Jussi; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel; Muamba; Steinsson, McCann, Cohen, Taylor; Davies. Doubtless all hard working and honest as the manager frequently states, but without a spark of creativity or imagination between them. And is Greta Steinsson really our best option on the right hand side of midfield?
I described our performance against Sunderland as awful. In the first half of this game, we were even worse. From an entertainment point of view Stoke were little better but at least they were efficient. Their centre backs dealt easily with our sole attacking ploy, the all-to-familiar long ball to the head of Kevin Davies. At the other end, Kitson and Fuller were more of an aerial embarrassment to England hopeful Cahill and the towering Zac Knight. The middle of the pitch was largely a no-go area for both teams. The visitors might well have had a penalty in the first five minutes, when McCann appeared to trip Fuller. Fortunately, Mr. Clattenburg chose to book the Stoke man for diving, though having seen the incident on TV, I’m not sure he was right. The only other incidents worth writing about in the dismal first period was a good save by Jussi from a free kick and a booking for Kevin Davies for diving. It is sacrilegious to suggest that the Bolton captain simulates victimisation but occasionally, after being battered and bruised, with no response from the referee, he goes down easily to make a point. This was one such incident.
The best player on view during the afternoon made his appearance during the interval. Unfortunately, he was in a wheel chair. The great Roy Hartle performed the half time draw and brought me to my feet to applaud for the first time. Goodness knows what he thought of the first forty-five minutes.
Whether Mego was influenced by the barracking, or by his own analysis of the game, I don’t know, but he made one of his better decisions by bringing on Gardner and Klasnic in place of Muamba and Steinsson for the second half. This involved a switch to 4-4-2 and things definitely improved. For the first time we showed glimmers of enterprise and skill on the ball and Ricardo Gardner was the principal reason. He shone like a diamond amidst the dross. The crowd woke up and jeers turned to cheers. However, the vulnerability in defence was still there and after seven minutes, Stoke took the lead. Not for the first time Cahill was beaten in the air by Fuller. Kitson controlled the resultant awkward bounce, swept round Ricketts, and curled an excellent finish into the far corner. To their credit the Wanderers heads didn’t drop. The irrepressible Gardner almost latched onto a cross from the right and Klasnic impressed with a turn and shot that Sorensen did well to save. Our best chance fell to Knight when, following a series of goalmouth headers, he volleyed over the bar when he ought to have broken the net.
Gradually, however, the impetus provided by the substitutions declined, Stoke boosted their midfield and concentrated on wasting time, and the game deteriorated. But then, as another defeat seemed inevitable, up popped Bibi with a lofted pass into the path of the advancing Ricketts. A late challenge sent the full back crashing to the ground and we had our second penalty in two games. It was a definite penalty but the fact that it was only just inside the area and that Ricketts probably was going nowhere suggested the gods had smiled on us. Notwithstanding, Taylor converted efficiently and we saved a point.
However, reasons to be cheerful were scant. The Gardner inspired improvement was welcome but only looked good when compared the preceding rubbish. The sad thing is that nobody played really badly. None of the stalwarts, Jussi, Cahill, and Kevin Davies, was at his best though the keeper did make one very good save but, once again, the problems were corporate rather than individual. Klasnic could be pleased with his second half contribution. His turn and shot suggested he might have done better if the ball had been played more often to his feet rather than to Davies’s head. More sacrilege; it would be interesting to see Klasnic in tandem with Elmander, particularly if the aerial strategy were revised.
A pro-Megson discussion on Radio Manchester suggested that financial constraint binds the manager’s hands. This is, of course, true but it means that the man at the helm must spend wisely and get the best from his players through coaching, organisation, and tactics. For some time Gary Megson has done neither. I am haunted by the spectre of a season of mediocre football played in a half-full stadium of resentful fans and ending in relegation. Please Mr. Garside take some action.
