Return of the Ngog

Hello all, it's been a while.  Indeed it's been a while since we've seen any meaningful football (internationals don't count, do they?).

Return of the N'Gog
N'Gog is on form to return to the first team after a run of good appearances (and a few goals) in the reserve team development squad and I have seen a few tweets suggesting he starts against Watford.
I've already posted my preferred starting line up, albeit a few weeks ago before the break and before N'Gog reached full match fitness.  I would still prefer Sordell to start and since we can't afford to give away space in midfield, we should play the lone striker and five in midfield.  How would N'Gog fair as a lone striker?  It's not a role I've seen him play, indeed, I'm struggling to recall any memorable N'Gog performances (something I'm hoping will change soon).

If OC is crazy enough to play 442 (and it's a quite possible that he will) then who would partner with N'Gog?  SKD or Sordell?  Who would play in centre midfield?  Would an on form Eagles still start ahead of Petrov on the left?  For me the 442 formation just raises too many questions.

If OC is to play 442, then I think it should look a little like this:

Bogdan

Riley  Knight  Mills  Ricketts/Alonso

CYL  Spearing  Andrews  Eagles/Petrov

Sordell  N'Gog

Spearing and Andrews ahead of Mavies

Mavies just isn't on form and constantly goes missing for large portions of the game.  Sure he has flashes of brilliance (remember that goal against Liverpool?).  So lets make Mavies an impact player, a super sub.  Someone who can come on for the last 30-20 minutes, maybe remove a striker and give our midfield a boost for the last part of the game.  Bring brought on when the opposition are tiring, Mavies should be able to run rings around them, providing the killing blow, and setting up the goal that allows us to win the game comfortably.

Until Mavies is able to perform consistently for 90 minutes, I think this is the way to get the best from him.  Do you agree? Is there another solution or maybe something I'm missing? 

A Cunning Plan

Well it's been an interesting start to the season, hasn't it?  If I were to try and summarise my feelings of the past few weeks, I'd probably have to go with:

Which isn't helpful when listening to the match online.

With the international break now upon us, Bolton fans are going to be left feeling frustrated until the 15th Sept. for our home game against Watford.  Two weeks!  To weeks to feel miserable about our promotion prospects, our ability to leak goals and throw away games.

But don't despair.  Here at Wakey Wanderers we've come up with some sort of game plan.  One that involves a team shuffle and the dropping of some players.  First let me start off by showing you who we think should start against Watford:

Yes it's a 4-5-1 formation, but with both Spearing and Andrews providing cover for the back four.

Mark Davies was one of my rated players, but has yet to impact on any of our matches so far.  With Eagles being able to play an attacking midfield role (as well as being our top goal scorer) I've dropped Mavies to the bench and stuck Eagles in the middle and allows Petrov to play on the left.  Petrov is much better here than Eagles ever will be, and because Eagles likes to cut into the middle anyway, way not just start him there in the first place?

Sordell starts upfront in place of SKD in hope that this encourages the team to play the ball on the ground more often.  This is not to say SKD shouldn't be playing, I just think that more often or not, the team chooses the long ball because it's the easy option.  From what I've seen of Sordell, he will drop deep and hold the ball up, just like SKD only Sordell is then able to use his speed to get into a good position once he has support.  Sordell starts ahead of Afobe just because I think we should give priority to Bolton players.

The back 4 I'm still not to sure about.  Both Mears and Ricketts have been struggling lately, and Tim Ream plays a lot better when paired with Wheater.  Mills seems to need half a game before he is able to settle down, he also needs to stop playing the long ball over and over.

But it's not just about who starts and what formation we play.  Bolton also need to have some kind of game plan.  I've already said we should play the ball on the ground more, something CYL has spoken about himself.

Let me just run through how I think we should be playing.

Ricketts (or whoever is at right back) and CYL need to be able to attack together.  The full back should be the one getting to the byline and crossing the ball, or drawing the defenders to him.  CYL should be able to get off the wing and dribble into the box as he likes to do, looking for Sordell and Eagles in the box.  If this fails the right back must be able to get back, Spearing should be able to provide some cover but that would leave space in front of our back 4.

Petrov should do what he does best.  Good linking play with the left back, and strong quick runs to the byline with a good hanging cross into the box.  Simples.

When attacking Andrews or Spearing should be able to press forward to help link up play in the middle.  Just as long as one of them remains back to cover the midfield area.

Sure there's a few problems with my ideas.  Eagles can go missing, especially when he should be back defending.  CYL's ability to cut into the middle relies on the right back getting forward, which could be dangerous if the opponent breaks.  What's more, this style of play needs us to string together passes, for the team to help each other out and provide support, something we seem to be lacking.

So what do you think?  Is this the way to go, or do you have ideas of your own?  Either way, I'm looking forward to the release of Football Manager 2013 to try some of my ideas out and rescue Bolton.

Tippy Tappy Football

It seems OC has been reading the Wakey Wanderer blog.  Last time we mentioned that if Bolton are to achieve promotion, T'Reebok would have to become a fortress again.  In a recent press conference OC said:

"Home form is absolutely paramount in the Championship, there's no doubt about that... We want to get back to the Reebok being a fortress again. We've shown that can be the case against the best sides in the country in the Premier League, so we have to make sure we're ready to do that in the Championship. If we do that, then of course those valuable home points will go a long way to pushing you up towards the top end of the league which is where everyone wants to be."

It also seems as if CYL has been reading my twitter feed.  At half time against Derby I tweed my thoughts on the first half display: "Oh look, another long ball to SKD."  Then on Thursday CYL said:

“Both sides were playing a lot of long ball,” he said. “I think that we need to try and pass the ball on the floor more.  If we can pass a lot we have the quality to easily win games like this. We have some very good players who can pass the ball on the floor very well." From The Bolton News 

The first half of the Derby game was dire, I've never seen the ball in the air so much.  There was a period when the two goal keepers were just punting it back and forth.

Do Bolton have the ability to play tippy tappy football?  I hope so, personally I can't stand the long ball approach.  However with SKD up front and Knight at the back (along with a nervous Mills), the long ball will always be part of our game.

Our lineup for tonight's game? I think it'll be the same that started against Derby, meaning another 4-4-2 and lack of options in the middle.  One thing I would consider is a change of full backs.  It's Mears I'm not sure about (to be fair, both Mears and Ricketts were quite pour against Derby).  Maybe Ricketts could start on the right with Alonso on the left as some have suggested.

Mills has stated he knows exactly what to expect from tonight's opponents.  Meaning Forest will play entirely as unexpected, we'll no doubt play a shocker and Mills will be left with his foot in his mouth.

Forest have a good defense, having conceded only one in three.  So don't expect tonight's game to be a goal fest.  Although if Mills is as nervous as he was on Tuesday and the full back don't improve, the score line could go Forest's way.

But Eagle's determined not to let that happen.

Welcome to the Championship

No one said it was going to be easy.  

Indeed being ex-Premiership I think teams will try and up their game and put one over on us, a la Burnley.  We need to step up and hopefully home games are the way to do that.  If we can turn the Reebok into a fortress as we did the season before last, it will have a major role in our promotion push.

We also need to up our reputation as a team that won't be easily pushed aside.  Meaning the players are going to have to turn up to every match.  This is something the Bolton players really need to improve on, especially some of the key players who think they're too big to be dropped (and OC can't be afraid to drop them).

Bolton need to learn how to press more, instead of the constant stand off, stand off approach.  Burnley had complete control of the game as they simply pressed Bolton constantly.  They seemed to have too much control in the middle, Mavies was a stranger the whole game, proof he does do better when supported by another two in midfield.  It was a surprise then that Eagles replaced Petrov on the left, when surely he should have been played in the middle, and Wylde could have been on the left.

Ream simply wasn't good enough and Mills should start ahead of him on Tuesday.  Knight had a slightly better game, coming close to scoring, however, when Burnley played the ball on the ground Knight simply couldn't cope, something he needs to improve.

Clearly Adam Bogdan was our man of the match, keeping the scoreline at two.

Here's the Wakey Wanderer team then for Tuesday night:

I've kept Mears and Ricketts purely because I don't think Riley or Alonso are good enough (yet), although the latter are certainly more attack minded so could be an option for later games if we are struggling to create chances/score goals.

I'd play five in midfield in almost a loose 4-3-3, although make CYL and Petrov aware that they need to get back and help out their full backs.

Yes Pratley is included as Mavies is my preferred CM (over Eagles), however, if Mavies' form doesn't improve soon, we could see Eagles at CM supported by either Andrews/Mavies or Andrews/Pratley.

My one message for Bolton and OC would be: PRESS MORE! We need to put pressure on our opponents, stop letting them walk all over us.

Burnley Preview

At last the football season is upon us!  Are we really for what could be our toughest challenge?  Has OC decided on his starting 11 and formation?

Our first game as you all know is against Burnley, where no doubt we'll receive a very frosty welcome.  Expect a very heated, proper derby game, as both teams try to gain momentum for the long season ahead.

Bolton are going to have to tighten up their defense if they are to do well this year.  We can't afford to leak the amount of goals we did last season and hope to be promoted.

Here's the Wakey Wanderer starting 11 for tomorrow:

So what do you think, would you choose different?

Key Man:

Petrov.  Easily one of the better players during pre-season, providing nearly all of Bolton's chances against Barcelona B.  Hopefully Petrov will be making his signature runs and providing plenty of crosses to threaten the Burnley goal.

Score Prediction.

Burnley 2 - Bolton 3

First game of the season and it's going to be a feisty one.  Bolton are going to try and recreate last years season opener, the four-nil thrashing of QPR.  I can't see Bolton keeping a clean sheet, however, with Burnley out to put one over on us and our defensive record.

Ask Chungy Twitter Interview

Thursday saw the return of the #Ask twitter interview, with Bolton's CYL taking over the @OfficialBWFC twitter account and answering a series of questions posted by the fans.

Did your question get asked?

As promised here's the full set of collected questions:

CYL: "Hello Bolton fans. Just finished training and I'm ready for the start of the season. Now we answer some questions."

@ManUParkJi: What is your favorite K-league team?

CYL: "FC Seoul is my best team because I used to play for them. I hope they are champions this season."

@freshhapple: Korean Olympic football team won the bronze medal . What do you think about this result? And how do you feel?

CYL: "I'm very proud and happy for my friends and country. I would like to thank every player because I'm happy watching the Olympics."

@tom_rhys: apart from the Reebok, what stadium have you enjoyed playing at?

CYL: "I like the Reebok very much - I feel comfortable when I'm there. I also like the Emirates Stadium as the pitch is always perfect."

@Luv_u_Blue: What do u do in your free time ? What is the most thing? Game? Sleeping? or reading a Book ? Other One?

CYL: "In my spare time I sleep and cook a lot and watch Korean TV."

@teehatz: You are stranded on a desert island. Which two team mates do you have with you for company?

CYL: "I would take Kevin Davies because I trust him very much and he's very strong. Also, Mark Davies, as he makes me laugh a lot."

@harryleek_: Is everyone in the club very confident we can get straight back up this year?

CYL: "Everyone is confident - it's not going to be easy but I believe we can do it."

@sammy_chadwick: What's your favorite goal scored for Bolton?

CYL: "My favorite Bolton goal is the header against Birmingham in the FA Cup. I felt like I was flying. I was very happy."

CYL: "Now I must go for my suit fitting. I want to answer more questions. Maybe in the future I can do more here. Thank you very much."

I've left out the questions asked and answered in Korean, but all questions are on the OfficialBWFC twitter feed and it's very clear that CYL has a big Korean fan base.

Lets just remind ourselves of CYL favorite goal (5:24 into the video).

Ask Chungy

This Thursday sees the return of the #Ask series on Twitter, with our favorite South Korean CYL taking the first set of questions.

 What will you ask?

All you have to do is tweet @OfficialBWFC your question and include #AskChungy in your message.  With a unique item of memorabilia up for grabs for the best question, what will you ask?

At the end of the event I'll try to collect all answered questions and post them here in a kind of unofficial interview.

Also with the new season right around the corner, I'll be looking to get some of your opinions on our performances and and pictures from the games.  So please feel free to get in touch and spread the word about the Wakey Wanderers blog.