Is This The Worst Ever Bolton Team?

[wanderlust]

We're talking Premier League only.

Even in the 20 yrs or so of the prem, the game has changed so much that it's difficult if not impossible to make comparisons. When the prem began there was still an element of physical contact and what we used to call "tackling" involved. "Tackling" had a number of effects on the game and the players. Good "tackling" was appreciated and kept everyone on their toes so it was easier to work out which players had the skill to avoid being "tackled". 20 years ago, there was also "dribbling" which involved a player running with the ball past several opposition players without hurling himself to the floor if anyone as much as breathed on him. The art of diving (as mastered by our very own Francis Lee) hadn't become as popular as it is today, so the disparity in the range of skills required renders comparison spurious IMHO.

[CaBuell]

On the whole I agree with the initial post, but need to doff my cap to the team John McGovern prepared for us, anybody else remember the league cup match at Notts county???

We seem to have developed a Schizophrenic (spelling) squad who can do one thing reasonably well and are terrified of attempting anything outside their comfort zone for example;

Jussi - Excels at kicking the ball far from his goal with little or no accuracy - hates shots from any distance over 20 yards.

Robinsson and Steinsson - Bellowing at the referee or a colleague - hates tackling, passing or running

Knight see Jussi

Cahill Playing football above and beyond his colleagues - signing a contract extension

Petrov and Eagles Running and crossing to nobody - Tackling and tracking back probably in case full back shouts at them.

Muamba wearing the shirt - Passing to a colleague

Pratley Running - having the ball whilst he runs

Klasnic Finishing and head butting with so much power even missing blows his opponent over - working off the ball

Davies Tackling and fouling opponents - getting in the box when a cross comes in from anywhere, or fielding a Jussi clearance in the east stand again..

Still season tickets will be cheap next year

[whatsgoingon]

One thing not being taken into consideration is the progression of many other clubs in the league financially, City finished 15th in 2005/6 they are now one of the richest clubs in the world, QPR are now in a position to blow many teams away financially, Even the likes of Sunderland Stoke & Wigan have more financial clout than we have.
You can't compare the teams as the playing field is completely different,

[Natasha Whittam]

One thing not being taken into consideration is the progression of many other clubs in the league financially, City finished 15th in 2005/6 they are now one of the richest clubs in the world, QPR are now in a position to blow many teams away financially, Even the likes of Sunderland Stoke & Wigan have more financial clout than we have.
You can't compare the teams as the playing field is completely different,

This is about Bolton, not the opposition.

You can compare different Bolton sides if you saw them all play. Some were strong in midfield, others in defence. Some could pass, others could only hoof.

But the question is simple, in terms of footballing ability is this the worst Bolton side ever to play in the Premier League?

[Natasha Whittam]

We seem to have developed a Schizophrenic (spelling) squad who can do one thing reasonably well and are terrified of attempting anything outside their comfort zone for example;

I think this backs up my point that the players of today simply can't play football.

Obviously someone like Tony Kelly couldn't play in todays Premier League because he was too fat and slow, but he could pass better than anyone in our current squad. And this is where the game has changed - fitness and strength first, ability second.

[Weststander]

In terms of spirit or bottle this lot are the worst I can remember. We've probably had worse players but as a group they wouldn't automatically let their heads go down after we conceded.

I've not known a Bolton side that were such a soft touch. Anyone struggling knows that when they play Bolton their season will turn round.

[whatsgoingon]

This is about Bolton, not the opposition.

You can compare different Bolton sides if you saw them all play. Some were strong in midfield, others in defence. Some could pass, others could only hoof.

But the question is simple, in terms of footballing ability is this the worst Bolton side ever to play in the Premier League?

But who we are are playing against dictates how good we are, this team could easily beat some of the shíte teams that were in the prem 6 years ago but where we have stood still maybe gone backwards others have moved forward so we are less competitive than we were then, of the 2005 /6 side only NGotty and Campo would walk in IMO, and Gardner although he is still an option now. The likes of Cahill, Lee, Holden would definately get in and probably Petrov, NRC, Steinsson, Klasnic & N'Gog would probably get in as well.
In summary no this is not the worst team particularly when we have Holden, Lee, Ricketts back.

[whatsgoingon]

You are right in what you are saying, teams often mirror the manager Allardyce was brash, arrogant and aggresive and that made its way onto the pitch - sure we got a hiding or 2 but we also caused a fair share of upsets and certainly Liverpool and Arsenal hated playing us which you can't say now.
OC is amiable and accomodating and unfortunately that seems to have found its way onto the pitch, he needs to toughen up and stop trying to be Mr Popular with our players and opposition teams.

[Bribey]

Bolton may have played more "attractive" and enjoyable football in past years. But as I have said, most of those teams would still lose to our current squad.

[Natasha Whittam]

Bolton may have played more "attractive" and enjoyable football in past years. But as I have said, most of those teams would still lose to our current squad.

How? Do you think Zat Knight or Cahill are better than Gudni? Petrov and Eagles better than Alan Thompson?

[Le God]

Zat Knight is one of the worst players i've ever seen in my life.

Steinsson is fcuking crap as well. I still can't believe that guy was in the centre circle making a tackle at the weekend.

[hamspam]

Ok so Nicky Hunt was never the new Gary Neville that he was supposed to be but at least he could CROSS a football, Chung yong Lee Can't, Martin Petrov Can't.
 Oh and looking back slightly further, Phil Brown Could Cross a decent ball.

Not since Peter Thompson and Willie Morgan have we enjoyed Proper crossers of footballs.

[largehat]

Tony Kelly's finest hour:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgMBnk-GfiU


The fat mess.

[Gazz]

But the question is simple, in terms of footballing ability is this the worst Bolton side ever to play in the Premier League?

I'd have to say no and head back a few years to 2007/8 season


                                           Jussi
Hunt                Faye                      Cid               Samuel

               McCann           Nolan            Speed

            Davies            Anelka             Vaz'Te


Subs, Alonso, Diouf, Helguson

I'd say that was our worst team, throw in there the likes of Braaten and Wilhelmson and it's pretty poor for me.

[aarons2009]

I'd have to say no and head back a few years to 2007/8 season
                                           Jussi
Hunt                Faye                      Cid               Samuel

               McCann           Nolan            Speed

            Davies            Anelka             Vaz'Te

I'd say that was our worst team, throw in there the likes of Braaten and Wilhelmson and it's pretty poor for me.

Faya, Nolan, Speed and  Anelka our worst team?....I will have to say I disagree with you on that.

[Natasha Whittam]

I'd have to say no and head back a few years to 2007/8 season


                                           Jussi
Hunt                Faye                      Cid               Samuel

               McCann           Nolan            Speed

            Davies            Anelka             Vaz'Te


Subs, Alonso, Diouf, Helguson

I'd say that was our worst team, throw in there the likes of Braaten and Wilhelmson and it's pretty poor for me.

That team would piss all over the current shower.

[Gazz]

Faya, Nolan, Speed and  Anelka our worst team?....I will have to say I disagree with you on that.

Yes, a few Class players in that lot but come on I'm talking about the whole team.

Hunt, Cid, Samuel, McCann ,Vaz'te, Alonso, Braaten And Wilhelmson?

[Gazz]

That team would piss all over the current shower.

This team won nothing in over ten games remember

[Gazz]

My mistake, won one game, but this also included a draw at derby (the whipping boys of that season) who ended the season with the least points in Premiership history

[Le God]

I was at that Derby game we played alright there.

Wilhelmsson had a blinder in the second half hit the bar and set up some cracking chances.

[Gazz]

Infact that team only won 3 premiership games in 18 to reading and birmingham.

Lets not forget that Nolan by this time was mis-firing, speed was at the end of his prem league career and faye was no better than what we have now in Cahill and is now playing at championship level.

So I stand by my view that our current team is not the worst in prem history.

[Gazz]

I was at that Derby game we played alright there.

Wilhelmsson had a blinder in the second half hit the bar and set up some cracking chances.

We may have played alright against the worst team in the prem that season yet still we couldn't get 3 points?

Wilhelmson was lightweight and a massive disappointment

[Gazz]

Give me Lee/Tuncay/Eagles or Petrov over Wilhelmson and Braaten anyday thanks

[Le God]

Braaten was crap but i don't think Wilhemsson was that bad just needed time to adjust.

[Gazz]

Well he had 5 months. Lee adapted in that time, for me that makes him a better player for us in that position. I just think that apart from a few players that team was awful.

Jussi, nolan anelka being the most obvious