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After all the nervous excitement this week, it was almost a relief as we headed for Burton for the relegation showdown.
Our future was back in our hands after Nottingham Forest had stuffed Barnsley in midweek.
Spirits were high in The Beech as the Pedigree flowed and the excellent pork pies were devoured.
The brilliant bar staff were treated to hearty renditions of “Sweet Caroline” and “The Wanderer”.
No need for team talks, it was simple, we had to win.
Phil Parkinson seemed to have other ideas as he brought back Dorian Dervite and Derik Osede at the expense of David Wheater and Filipe Morais.
What followed was shocking to all.
It was the most spineless, gutless and clueless performance it has been my misfortune to witness.
Where was the passion? Where was the commitment? Where was the spirit?
Only one team wanted this match and they were in yellow.
We were second to every ball and we’re still waiting for our first shot on target.
The introduction of Will Buckley and Filipe Morais at half time made no difference.
The only players who deserve any credit were Ben Alnwick, who managed to keep the score down with some great saves, and Craig Noone, who put in a tireless performance at the Pirelli Stadium, albeit to little effect.
We blew a big chance of survival and the anger and frustration flared up among a few Bolton fans with some ugly confrontations with stewards, as they attempted to vent their wrath towards Phil Parkinson.
We can accept results, whatever they are, if we feel the team have given their all.
We expected the team to have a go and we ended up losing this match with hardly a whimper.
Disappointed hardly describes my feelings right now but I’m conscious of what can be printed in a family newspaper!
The team let the fans down. The team let the club down. Most of all, the team let themselves down.
Of course, it’s not all over until the last match on Sunday.
But it is now out of our hands again.
We must hope we can somehow beat Nottingham Forest and then pray that Preston North End and Derby County both take something off Burton Albion and Barnsley, respectively.
Our form over the last seven matches suggests it is all over and we’re down.
But let’s at least go down fighting.
Source
Our future was back in our hands after Nottingham Forest had stuffed Barnsley in midweek.
Spirits were high in The Beech as the Pedigree flowed and the excellent pork pies were devoured.
The brilliant bar staff were treated to hearty renditions of “Sweet Caroline” and “The Wanderer”.
No need for team talks, it was simple, we had to win.
Phil Parkinson seemed to have other ideas as he brought back Dorian Dervite and Derik Osede at the expense of David Wheater and Filipe Morais.
What followed was shocking to all.
It was the most spineless, gutless and clueless performance it has been my misfortune to witness.
Where was the passion? Where was the commitment? Where was the spirit?
Only one team wanted this match and they were in yellow.
We were second to every ball and we’re still waiting for our first shot on target.
The introduction of Will Buckley and Filipe Morais at half time made no difference.
The only players who deserve any credit were Ben Alnwick, who managed to keep the score down with some great saves, and Craig Noone, who put in a tireless performance at the Pirelli Stadium, albeit to little effect.
We blew a big chance of survival and the anger and frustration flared up among a few Bolton fans with some ugly confrontations with stewards, as they attempted to vent their wrath towards Phil Parkinson.
We can accept results, whatever they are, if we feel the team have given their all.
We expected the team to have a go and we ended up losing this match with hardly a whimper.
Disappointed hardly describes my feelings right now but I’m conscious of what can be printed in a family newspaper!
The team let the fans down. The team let the club down. Most of all, the team let themselves down.
Of course, it’s not all over until the last match on Sunday.
But it is now out of our hands again.
We must hope we can somehow beat Nottingham Forest and then pray that Preston North End and Derby County both take something off Burton Albion and Barnsley, respectively.
Our form over the last seven matches suggests it is all over and we’re down.
But let’s at least go down fighting.
Source
