The draw against Leeds was alright, you know. I mean, it was a miserable wet night, and before the game all the talk was about it being a must-win for Bolton, but the Wanderers at least put in a performance and very much deserved to take three points from the game – even though they had to settle for one. It was enough to save Coyle’s skin for a few days.
(This is the part of the article where I hit ‘paste’. You see, I have this sentence permanently saved on my notepad: “Alas, Bolton conceded a penalty that was duly converted, and the Whites also failed to deal with a set piece meaning they once again conceded two”).
The manner of the draw was encouraging though. But the lack of a victory means today’s game at Millwall becomes the most important of Coyle’s career. In my opinion, a win will save him – for now – but a defeat will see him gone. This isn’t (entirely) based on any insider knowledge, or tip offs. It’s common sense – if Bolton can’t beat one of only six teams that sit below them in the table, then they are not on their way back to the Premier League.
Kevin Davies is showing he still has the fight, but he needs help from his strikers. Ngog, Sordell and Afobe have failed to find the back of the net with any regularity, and it is too much to ask of SKD to carry the fight week in week out. Eagles, of course, is ably assisting from midfield, but with a defence as leaky as a chocolate teapot (and roughly as effective) the Bolton forwards need to strt knocking them in.
Anyway – I’m off to the New Den now. Wish me luck. I just hope that, in tomorrow’s blog, I won’t be writing (ctrl V) “Alas, Bolton conceded a penalty that was duly converted, and the Whites also failed to deal with a set piece meaning they once again conceded two”.
