Worst Back Four

I nominate the starting back four against Carlisle: Mears, Knight, Mills, Ream.

I honestly cannot think of a weaker back four that actually started for us. Any historical suggestions?

That takes some beating I must admit, though it was a friendly so DF was only testing different back fours out.

I seriously don't like the idea of Ream playing left back, not sure why Douglas has decided to try him there.

Think I heard Dougie say in an interview that he was trying Ream at left back as he needed cover for Tierney. He needed to see if he already had the answer within the club.

I don't think Ream at LB sounds bad to be honest, obviously I've no idea how it would actually pan out but on the face of it he's quick, good on the ball and can tackle. Doesn't sound like the worst idea in the world.

I would imagine that Bolton's worst ever back four would be those players that played in the 1986-87 season.

Can anyone name them?

Would the great Mark Winstanley have been one?  

I haven't seen Ream at left back before but have often thought it's worth a try.
I don't think Mears is a bad player as such. He has been very decent for other clubs. He's just got into bad habits that he could get out of, given the right training.

Copper Dragon wrote:I would imagine that Bolton's worst ever back four would be those players that played in the 1986-87 season.

Can anyone name them?

That was the season that I got laughed at by a Bury fan for wearing a Bolton scarf. Don't think it could ever get worse than that could it?

Fat Sam? Winstanley and Came?

It's not that bad, in all honesty. And against most teams in the Championship, it's better I'd say.

wanderlust wrote:

Copper Dragon wrote:I would imagine that Bolton's worst ever back four would be those players that played in the 1986-87 season.

Can anyone name them?

That was the season that I got laughed at by a Bury fan for wearing a Bolton scarf. Don't think it could ever get worse than that could it?

Fat Sam?  Winstanley and Came?

Allardyce had moved on by then but Winstanley and Came were there, as was Jimmy Phillips.

xmiles wrote:

wanderlust wrote:

Copper Dragon wrote:I would imagine that Bolton's worst ever back four would be those players that played in the 1986-87 season.

Can anyone name them?

That was the season that I got laughed at by a Bury fan for wearing a Bolton scarf. Don't think it could ever get worse than that could it?

Fat Sam?  Winstanley and Came?

Allardyce had moved on by then but Winstanley and Came were there, as was Jimmy Phillips.

...and Phil Neal.

Derek Scott? Dave Sutton?

Barryjw wrote:Derek Scott?

Another ex Burnley.

I was going to say Ray Deakin as well but I think that we got him from you a season before that one.

Scott and Sutton - yes.

Deakin had gone by then.

Some defensive stars mentioned in this thread so far but there are some disturbing similarities to our current crop, in that they can have a decent solid game and then drop a complete bollock out of nowhere and they seem to take turns in doing it. What separates good players from average or bad at a decent level like the championship a lot of the time is concentration and they are all guilty of switching off and we get punished.

PS: Was Dean Crombie around at that time also.

Crombie came the season after we were relegated to the fourth - ie 87/88 season.

(Phil Brown and Barry Cowdrill came the season after that 88/89).

So we've got Scott at right back and Winstanley as one of the centrebacks.

How do the others like Sutton etc fit in and did Phil Neal play at left back?

Copper Dragon wrote: did Phil Neal play at left back?

He did but I don't recall him making many appearances. I think Barry Cowdrill played at full back about that time and Glen Keeley and Mark Came played at centre half.

NickFazer wrote:

PS: Was Dean Crombie around at that time also.

He was indeed. He was pretty much an ever present in the squad at that time.

I've found this, I apologise  .....