Is KD droppable?

[jayjay23]

I think most Bolton fans would have put Davies in the start 11 for today's game against United and who could blame them really?

Regardless of current form or ability - has Davies almost become undroppable? As in, would it be seen as too big a change to drop the captain after 4 games? Is Coyle afraid to make the big calls?

Should Davies start our next game?

[Le God]

He will.

end of discussion.

[Jamster26]

He shouldn't start but he will.

[doffcocker]

I wasn't delighted with the signing of N'Gog, but I must admit that for the 25 minutes or so that he was playing up front with Tuncay, instead of Klasnic and Davies, it felt like a massive breath of fresh air. Tuncay looked creative with his every touch, while N'Gog got stuck in and also looked keen to get on the ball and run with it.

Coyle predictably spoke after the match of the tricky decisions that he now has when selecting the side for the Norwich match after the positive impact of the substitutes today, but I don't think there's anything tricky about it at all. Tuncay and N'Gog should be brought in and Davies and Klasnic should drop to the bench.

[Natasha Whittam]

Tuncay and N'Gog should be brought in and Davies and Klasnic should drop to the bench.

Klasnic was the only Bolton player who looked like he might score. To drop him would be suicide.

[Sluffy]

What he should do imo, is to decide his strategy for each match, then pick the players best suited to that strategy to play.

If he thinks we can beat Norwich at the Reebok by playing 4-4-2, then a big target man who is strong and a great header will probably be needed - so Davies should play.

My issue with Coyle is playing 4-4-2 (and Davies) in every game, irrespective if it is suitable at all - did he really believe attacking United and thus exposing our back four to them was going to get us a result yesterday?

I didn't.

[Malcolm Everett]

What he should do imo, is to decide his strategy for each match, then pick the players best suited to that strategy to play.

If he thinks we can beat Norwich at the Reebok by playing 4-4-2, then a big target man who is strong and a great header will probably be needed - so Davies should play.

My issue with Coyle is playing 4-4-2 (and Davies) in every game, irrespective if it is suitable at all - did he really believe attacking United and thus exposing our back four to them was going to get us a result yesterday?

I didn't.

Spot on.
We all know Kevin Davies will not be dropped by Coyle. I am just relieved that he is going to be 35 this season and surely won't have much longer as a first team starter. Not many clubs in the Premiership start with a 34 year old. Hopefully his time is up soon. 

[Natasha Whittam]

Spot on.
We all know Kevin Davies will not be dropped by Coyle. I am just relieved that he is going to be 35 this season and surely won't have much longer as a first team starter. Not many clubs in the Premiership start with a 34 year old. Hopefully his time is up soon. 

You forget we'll be in the Championship next season, Kevin Davies will be our main threat!

[ReebokTrotter]

Why not play Klasnic and Ngog up front with Tuncay in midfield in place of Eagles ?

[Zappa]

Klasnic has done nothing to warrant being dropped. He links up well with the midfield and completed all but 3 of his passes yesterday and is a constant goal threat. I'd partner him with either Tuncay or Ngog. Tuncay out wide is an option too.

[wanderlust]

BKD is viewed as a target man, works hard for the team and "inspirational". Problem is his presence in the team limits our tactical options - and he will never be a 20 goals a season striker. Another problem is that the rest of the team is set up for his type of game and OC is reticent to try anything else.
He should remain as an option if the game demands it, but before that can happen, OC needs to spend more time analysing the opposition, working out the way to beat them and setting up the team accordingly - with no preconceptions about who plays. Use the squad sensibly please OC.

[WHITE4LYF]

It's time skd is offered a coaching role. I don't think he can cope with the pace of the game at 34. Start N'gog and klasnic up front, pace accompanied with precise finishing is a good combination. However, OC would never drop him.

[The Ghost of Burnden]

Klasnic was the only Bolton player who looked like he might score. To drop him would be suicide.

So when did you leave the game, before Tuncay came on?

Tuncay looked clever with teh ball and actually showed effort in winning the ball, crossing the ball and actually had a great couple of chances

In my opinion SKD, although I would have put him in my 11 to staert the game with, if anything should not have played, retrospectively looking at it as he is far too slow for the ManU players.

As for the next game, yes start him, but substitute him (last in the last 3 games) at the start of, or during, half time.  Norwich are nowhere near as fast or skillful and the scum

[H. Pedersen]

Davies had a total stinker against United.  The good news is that unlike in past seasons, where he played the full 90 regardless of his performance, Coyle seems willing to take him off.

I'd start with Klasnic and Tuncay against Norwich.  They are both clever players and I think they will work well together.

[ReebokTrotter]

Perhaps Coyle should relieve Davies of the captaincy and give it to Reo-Coker or Cahill ? That way, it would free up other players to get in the starting eleven. I think it's too much expecting Davies to play week in and week out at his age.

[DaveBWFC]

Kevin Davies is one of my favourite Bolton players ever. He's never been the most vocal of players though and isn't really captain material imo. In the past he's lead by example but I think age is catching up with him and as RT said maybe it's a bit much to expect him to play every week.

[Natasha Whittam]

So when did you leave the game, before Tuncay came on?

Tuncay looked clever with teh ball and actually showed effort in winning the ball, crossing the ball and actually had a great couple of chances

It doesn't matter, Klasnic has scored 3 goals in 4 games. You have to stick with someone with that scoring ratio, especially when goals from our midfield are so rare.

Once Holden comes back into the team and we actually have a midfielder in the oppositions penalty area, Klasnic will benefit greatly.

[wanderlust]

Klasnic is a bit of a poacher/finisher compared to some of the others, so he needs to be used when we have control of the midfield and can be fed with plenty of chances. Not the kind of player I'd want if we're fighting a defensive battle and we need an outlet that has the pace to ease the pressure and possibly nick the odd counter-attacking goal. Presumably that's what we bought N'gog for.
Different players with different skills need to be used in different games and/or at different stages of a game. Our manager should know this.

[boxing day 1972]

Davies would be better suited as an impact sub' coming on for the last 20 mins when the ball is being thrown into the box. 

[Natasha Whittam]

Klasnic is a bit of a poacher/finisher compared to some of the others, so he needs to be used when we have control of the midfield and can be fed with plenty of chances. Not the kind of player I'd want if we're fighting a defensive battle and we need an outlet that has the pace to ease the pressure and possibly nick the odd counter-attacking goal. Presumably that's what we bought N'gog for.
Different players with different skills need to be used in different games and/or at different stages of a game. Our manager should know this.

I think we watch different teams. When was the last time Bolton played counter-attack football? We don't have the pace for counter-attack football, let alone anyone who can pass quickly to a white shirt.

If Klasnic is dropped in favour of someone who can hold the ball up I'll be off, last time I looked the aim of the game was to score goals and, over the last couple of seasons, he's been the only one been able to do it with any regularity.

[wanderlust]

We finally buy some pace up front and you're reticent to use it when we're under the cosh? Much as I love Ivan, I can't see him breaking away and running half a pitch length to score.

I did specify that my comment related to that particular situation - it wasn't a comment about his general play.

[H. Pedersen]

We finally buy some pace up front and you're reticent to use it when we're under the cosh? Much as I love Ivan, I can't see him breaking away and running half a pitch length to score.

He might be able to feed the players who can make that kind of break-away though.  I've said it before but Klasnic is one of the best passers on the team.  That pass with the outside of his left to Petrov on the wing was stunning.

[Natasha Whittam]

We finally buy some pace up front and you're reticent to use it when we're under the cosh? Much as I love Ivan, I can't see him breaking away and running half a pitch length to score.

I would play Ngog against Norwich, but I'd drop Kevin Davies. We're not in a position to drop proven goalscorers.

[jayjay23]

I would play Ngog against Norwich, but I'd drop Kevin Davies. We're not in a position to drop proven goalscorers.

agree. Ngog and Klas up top. We can expect to score 4 if this pair start.