Millwall 1-1 Bolton

Looks to me like it's going to get much worse in the next month. There's no reason to believe we can beat top half teams whether home or away. Or anyone for that matter. They clearly don't have any belief in themselves so how can we?

Sadly I do have the sense it may take a change to even wake the players up to the situation, they are shameless. 

Sad to say that.

I have finally reached the point where pissing in the wind has left me rather damp and smelly so I'll change my stance. Well done Duggy Division Three here we come!!

BoltonTillIDie wrote:Dougie Freedman believes his side were unlucky not to have taken all three points from the weekend’s game against Millwall at The New Den.

A goal to the good courtesy of Lukas Jutkiewicz’s clever header, the on-loan Middlesbrough striker then missed a second half penalty.

The home crowd responded and then saw their side equalise after Martyn Woolford converted from an acute angle.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Freedman said: “Given the balance of play, I don’t really think it was a fair result.

“When you’re a goal up and you have a penalty in the second half you’re really thinking you’re going to see the game out.

“We also hit the post through a wonderful free-kick and we really should have taken the three points.

“If the penalty goes in we win the game, it’s as simple as that. In missing the penalty, that then energised the crowd and gave their players a lift. In the end we had to dig in and I thought we stood up for ourselves very well.

“We controlled the ball very well in the first half and went a goal up with a fantastic header from a great cross.

“We were fully committed, showed great desire and pressed the ball very well. If I was being critical of my team today, I’d say we maybe need to have a bit more of a calmer head in front of goal.

“Anyone who has seen our recent games can see we’re playing well right now and that is encouraging.

“Unfortunately, we’re drawing a lot of games right now. If we weren’t performing well, then I’d be worried.

“My experience tells me that if we keep performing to this level the results will soon start coming. When that happens we’ll be away.”

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I went to the match today and I'm not going again till that clown is sacked, that comment is just fucking ridiculous.

We're drawing a lot of matches?

We've drawn two from the last seven and lost the rest.

And we're obviously not playing well.

If you go down the "if the penalty goes in we win the game" road, you have to also think about the chances Millwall had that didn't go in, that would have won them the game.

He talks endless bollocks does Freedman.

Hipster_Nebula wrote:

aaron_bwfc wrote:The banners are ready and raring to go for todays game:

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Who is reedman?

Who is reedman gartside?

Report: Millwall 1-1 Bolton

IN BRIEF

Despite a valiant effort in south east London, Bolton Wanderers were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in a closely contest affair at The New Den.

It was very much a story of what might have been for the Trotters, who when a goal to the good spurned the opportunity to wrap up the points from the penalty spot midway through the second period.

Lukas Jutkiewicz, such an effective focal point throughout the piece, saw his penalty saved after having opened the scoring with a clever header in the first half.

Instead Millwall claimed a point when Martyn Woolford popped up to level the scores .

TEAM NEWS

The Bolton team showed two changes to the side that had taken to the field four days earlier against Burnley.

Mark Davies and Darren Pratley came in for Chung-Yong Lee and Liam Trotter, who was as part of the loan agreement between the two sides was ineligible.

Millwall’s side contained ex-Bolton centre-half Danny Shittu, whilst former loanee Liam Feeney was on the bench.

FIRST HALF

The opening ten minutes were disjointed, with the home side making the early running.

Matt Mills and Pratley had to be alert to snuff out a couple of potentially dangerous attacked, with the only goalbound attempt of note looping wide from Jermaine Easter.

With 15 minutes on the clock, and with their first attempt on target, Bolton broke the deadlock.

Chris Eagles swung a teasing ball into the Millwall area, where Jutkiewicz stooped to flick a back header beyond David Forde’s despairing dive and into the net via the base of the post.

Ian Holloway’s side continued to endeavour with a patient, passing style, however a strong prevailing wind almost aided an equaliser.

On the line, David Wheater’s somehow managed to divert Martyn Woolford’s shot on the spin over the bar, after a ball into box had caught on the wind.

The home side were looking lively.

Another goal-line clearance, this time from Alex Baptiste, prevented Easter from converting from just inside the area following Adam Bogdan’s punched clearance.

Jutkiewucz continued to lead the line in admirable fashion, holding the ball up well both aerially and on the floor.

In the run up to the break Lee Martin saw a shot from Steve Morison’s knock down fade away from the post.

HALF TIME

The second half started as the first ended – Millwall seeing plenty of the ball but unable to really work Bogdan.

Instead, on a rare foray forward, Bolton came within a whisker of doubling their tally.

Mark Davies was scythed down 25 yards from goal, with Eagles then curling the resulting free-kick around the wall and into the foot of the post.

In need of a goal, Holloway gambled with a triple substitution on 55 minutes, introducing three strikers.

Though those changes didn’t necessarily have the immediate impact the increasingly agitated home fans would have hoped.

Bolton continued to absorb pressure and look a threat on the break.

On 66 minutes Baptiste broke forward from full-back, played a neat give-and-go with Pratley before coolly finishing below Forde. However, celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s offside flag on the far side.

The hosts reverted to plan B, bypassing the midfield and pumping balls into the Bolton penalty area.

And that almost paid dividends when Woolford crashed a loose ball towards the near post, with Bogdan reacted superbly to fist away. Scott Malone volleyed the follow up wide.

Wanderers were edging ever closer to three vital points and on 76 minutes they had the chance to put the game to bed.

Jutkiewicz once again demonstrated some superb back-to-goal play, before seeing his swirling cross clip the hand of Shittu at the back post. Referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot.

Jutkiewicz immediately sought out the ball, though his tame kick from 12 yards was comfortably gathered by Forde.

That buoyed the hosts and suddenly they seized the initiative and netted the equaliser on 82 minutes.

Morison’s teasing centre was met by sub Simeon Jackson, who from point blank range was denied by a superb save from Bogdan. However the rebounds fell kindly to Woolford who dispatched from a seemingly impossible angle.

Neither side looked happy to settle for a point, but that was the ultimate outcome.

FULL TIME

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Interesting post from a Crystal Palace fan who oddly went to the game.

Palace fan wrote:Just got in from the game, fine day up London Bridge with a few beers but the Football itself was dire.

I said to so many Bolton around me it was like watching Palace from a few years ago under Freedman. He was so unbelievably negative it was painful viewing. Despite the early goal Bolton were shocking, couldn't keep the ball, couldn't even play it into the channels without it going to a Millwall full back or Dartford locals sitting in the Dockers stand. The Polish Forward looked lively for Bolton but again like two years ago with Murray in his first season he had no support whatsoever so he was limited in what he could do. They played so deep and gave Millwall so much time on the ball, I mean 39% possession against Millwall is embarrassing to say the least.

But in all credit to Holloway he has tried to get Millwall knocking the ball about, the holding midfielder they signed from MK Dons looks a good player, Williams. But all in all they just didn't have no real spark or quality to really hurt Bolton.

Today made me realize how much of a gap in quality there is between the championship and premier league. Two very poor teams who might be lucky there is teams even worse than them who will go down. If Charlton manage to win their games in hand though Millwall could be in deep trouble. The game between each other coming up at the den could be vital.

Something's however never change with Millwall's pond life support. The real Millwall support must be ashamed to see kids of 15 year old kids from Kent giving it the large. The word for them isn't even intimidating, more like cringeworthy.

A massive cry of Freedman out in the Bolton end as well, when Freedman came over to applaud the support all he got was boo's and abuse.

doffcocker wrote:Interesting post from a Crystal Palace fan who oddly went to the game.

Palace fan wrote:Just got in from the game, fine day up London Bridge with a few beers but the Football itself was dire.

I said to so many Bolton around me it was like watching Palace from a few years ago under Freedman. He was so unbelievably negative it was painful viewing. Despite the early goal Bolton were shocking, couldn't keep the ball, couldn't even play it into the channels without it going to a Millwall full back or Dartford locals sitting in the Dockers stand. The Polish Forward looked lively for Bolton but again like two years ago with Murray in his first season he had no support whatsoever so he was limited in what he could do. They played so deep and gave Millwall so much time on the ball, I mean 39% possession against Millwall is embarrassing to say the least.

But in all credit to Holloway he has tried to get Millwall knocking the ball about, the holding midfielder they signed from MK Dons looks a good player, Williams. But all in all they just didn't have no real spark or quality to really hurt Bolton.

Today made me realize how much of a gap in quality there is between the championship and premier league. Two very poor teams who might be lucky there is teams even worse than them who will go down. If Charlton manage to win their games in hand though Millwall could be in deep trouble. The game between each other coming up at the den could be vital.

Something's however never change with Millwall's pond life support. The real Millwall support must be ashamed to see kids of 15 year old kids from Kent giving it the large. The word for them isn't even intimidating, more like cringeworthy.

A massive cry of Freedman out in the Bolton end as well, when Freedman came over to applaud the support all he got was boo's and abuse.

 a great impartial view on the game, i hope Freedman know understands exactly what the fans think and does the decent thing and fucks off before he takes us down

doffcocker wrote:Interesting post from a Crystal Palace fan who oddly went to the game.

Palace fan wrote:Just got in from the game, fine day up London Bridge with a few beers but the Football itself was dire.

I said to so many Bolton around me it was like watching Palace from a few years ago under Freedman. He was so unbelievably negative it was painful viewing. Despite the early goal Bolton were shocking, couldn't keep the ball, couldn't even play it into the channels without it going to a Millwall full back or Dartford locals sitting in the Dockers stand. The Polish Forward looked lively for Bolton but again like two years ago with Murray in his first season he had no support whatsoever so he was limited in what he could do. They played so deep and gave Millwall so much time on the ball, I mean 39% possession against Millwall is embarrassing to say the least.

But in all credit to Holloway he has tried to get Millwall knocking the ball about, the holding midfielder they signed from MK Dons looks a good player, Williams. But all in all they just didn't have no real spark or quality to really hurt Bolton.

Today made me realize how much of a gap in quality there is between the championship and premier league. Two very poor teams who might be lucky there is teams even worse than them who will go down. If Charlton manage to win their games in hand though Millwall could be in deep trouble. The game between each other coming up at the den could be vital.

Something's however never change with Millwall's pond life support. The real Millwall support must be ashamed to see kids of 15 year old kids from Kent giving it the large. The word for them isn't even intimidating, more like cringeworthy.

A massive cry of Freedman out in the Bolton end as well, when Freedman came over to applaud the support all he got was boo's and abuse.

My Palace mate says something very similar although he also contextualises it by saying that Freedman did good work with a limited budget, especially in terms of sorting out the youth system and bringing players like Bolassie and Zaha through and dumping a lot of no-hopers.
He totally understands why Freedman was appointed as he will eventually produce and play youth team products and manage on a shoestring.
That's all well and good, but he correctly predicted that Freedman will stick to a system that only works with better players than he has - which is unrealistic, inflexible and very frustrating for everyone involved.
System looked fine last season when we were solid at the back and Eagles and Lee looked a real threat, but sticking with it this year just looks naive. His prediction for us this year is that we'll just survive - and that's based on the premise that there are 4 teams worse than we are.

The problem is you can only work with what you've got.

Gartside wrote in his statement for the accounts that that Freedman had brought through some young players at Palace was a big selling point.

People have been conned into thinking that because Dougie gave debuts to Zaha and one or two others, he's some kind of genius at working with kids. There's no way Zaha would have rotted in the reserves had it not been for Dougie. Who's to say Dougie got the most anybody could out of him and the others?

Just because a few players came through when Dougie was manager at Palace doesn't mean the same is gonna happen here.

doffcocker wrote:The problem is you can only work with what you've got.

Gartside wrote in his statement for the accounts that that Freedman had brought through some young players at Palace was a big selling point.

People have been conned into thinking that because Dougie gave debuts to Zaha and one or two others, he's some kind of genius at working with kids. There's no way Zaha would have rotted in the reserves had it not been for Dougie. Who's to say Dougie got the most anybody could out of him and the others?

Just because a few players came through when Dougie was manager at Palace doesn't mean the same is gonna happen here.

Dougie is certainly not one for rushing them into the squad regardless of how crap the senior players are. Definitely a stickler for the gradual introduction approach which is sure to test everyone's patience.
Point is, the Board believe that he is good at producing home grown talent rightly or wrongly which is why they are going to back him to the hilt.
And your opening sentence sums up why there is no rush to appoint a different manager in respect of the senior squad. I actually LOL'd when I read the suggestion that the useless wanker Holloway should come in.
Lots of chat and opinion about dumping Doug, but I can't see it happening unless we drop into the bottom 3 as the Board clearly believe that the longer Dougie stays, the more overpaid players he'll be able to offload, the more young players will start to come through and the more affordable signings he'll be able to make.
We'll have to hit rock bottom for him to get sacked this season. Next season is a different story though. Providing we survive and Dougie is still with us, he'll have to start producing right from the start - results and signs that the youth thing is working.

wanderlust wrote:

doffcocker wrote:The problem is you can only work with what you've got.

Gartside wrote in his statement for the accounts that that Freedman had brought through some young players at Palace was a big selling point.

People have been conned into thinking that because Dougie gave debuts to Zaha and one or two others, he's some kind of genius at working with kids. There's no way Zaha would have rotted in the reserves had it not been for Dougie. Who's to say Dougie got the most anybody could out of him and the others?

Just because a few players came through when Dougie was manager at Palace doesn't mean the same is gonna happen here.

Dougie is certainly not one for rushing them into the squad regardless of how crap the senior players are. Definitely a stickler for the gradual introduction approach which is sure to test everyone's patience.
Point is, the Board believe that he is good at producing home grown talent rightly or wrongly which is why they are going to back him to the hilt.
And your opening sentence sums up why there is no rush to appoint a different manager in respect of the senior squad. I actually LOL'd when I read the suggestion that the useless wanker Holloway should come in.
Lots of chat and opinion about dumping Doug, but I can't see it happening unless we drop into the bottom 3 as the Board clearly believe that the longer Dougie stays, the more overpaid players he'll be able to offload, the more young players will start to come through and the more affordable signings he'll be able to make.
We'll have to hit rock bottom for him to get sacked this season. Next season is a different story though. Providing we survive and Dougie is still with us, he'll have to start producing right from the start - results and signs that the youth thing is working.

Dougie still being here has nothing to do with any of that claptrap lusty it's entirely to do with ED selling the club and them not wanting to incur unnecessary cost before that time. How can anyone who's experienced this garbage believe he'll improve our fortunes, the guys a clown. Only the naive like you think it's anything different but you'll find out anyway before long when all is revealed.

so what you're saying Wanderlust, is that we have to stick with him because he will eventually bring in good young players? That's fine if you don't mind which division we will be playing in when they do get a chance.

There is always one team that has a terrible run and get sucked into the relegation battle, any guesses to who i mean?

Norpig wrote:so what you're saying Wanderlust, is that we have to stick with him because he will eventually bring in good young players? That's fine if you don't mind which division we will be playing in this season when they do get a chance.

There is always one team that has a terrible run and get sucked into the relegation battle, any guesses to who i mean?

What I'm saying is that I think the Board believe he is the right man for the job (rightly or wrongly) and it's the Board whose opinion counts when it comes to hiring and firing managers.
I'm also saying that the Board have a history of getting twitchy when things aren't going well and in the past have made decisions on the basis of what appears to be concerns over what a section of the fans think.
So I think they are desperate for Dougie to succeed but may crack if we don't stay above the relegation zone.

My personal opinion is that there are several managers out there I would prefer ahead of Dougie but they are either already happily employed elsewhere, unaffordable or simply wouldn't come here given our situation. If a proven tactical genius with a strong record of youth development and managing on a shoestring who is willing to come to us and work for peanuts comes along I'd be delighted. However, none of the numerous names mentioned so far fit that description.

i take your point Wanderlust, but i think it is now more than a minority of fans who want him out and a loss against Watford will bring out the chants again and it will be virtually impossible for him to keep his job.

Who would be your choice of manager out of interest?

Cracking header from the juke.

Norpig wrote:i take your point Wanderlust, but i think it is now more than a minority of fans who want him out and a loss against Watford will bring out the chants again and it will be virtually impossible for him to keep his job.

Who would be your choice of manager out of interest?

Agree that given our upcoming fixtures it's going to be very difficult to keep us out of the bottom 3 unless a miracle happens - and if we go there I reckon the Board will crack.

There are a few lower league managers that I think do a good job on limited resources  but they're "unproven at this level" and their appointment would be viewed as "unambitious". I was rooting for Rosler when Freedman was appointed - he put good foundations in place at Brentford and TBF his successor has continued almost seamlessly. A few on here didn't rate Rosler but I think he's doing OK at Wigan these days so would probably have done a good job for us. However all the lower league managers I currently rate have been given plenty of time to sort their squads out and time isn't something we would have if Dougie goes as we'd already be in the relegation zone.
I don't rate any of the Championship managers suggested so I think the only realistic solution would be to go abroad - which presents a whole bunch of problems in itself.