This was a big game for us all. Bolton were coming off the back of a brilliant 5-0 win over that team we always beat Stoke, luckily for us the international break gave us time to re-access our team. This meant I was in high hopes although many other Baggies were a little more pessimistic over our chances. Although we all knew a sell out crowd should make the players want to do better, they also had a point to prove after many critics came out after the Arsenal game voicing their concerns about the season so far.
Line ups
Shane Long and Nicky Shorey were surprisingly given a starting place for Albion. Long, who has come back from a chipped bone in only four weeks, replaced Simon Cox; while Nicky Shorey replaced young Billy Jones at left back. As expected, Paul Scharner again missed the game but Mulumbu came back and replaced Graham Dorrans. Peter Odemwingie was not even on the bench with an ankle injury. Bolton gave a second game to young defender Joe Riley, who was up against the inconstant Jerome Thomas. On the other side of the defence we had a man who needs no introduction to Baggies in Paul Robinson. I for one welcomed him back. Their main danger in my opinion would come from Chris Eagles.
First half
The game started well, with Bolton pushing forward. A throw in from Paul Robinson came to Chris Eagles who took the ball on the half turn, and hit it on the half volley just dipping over Ben Foster’s cross bar. Then we came at the Trotters, moving and passing well, with Gera linking up play extremely well.
The first main chance fell to Bolton though a series of corners. Cahill ended up with a free header with only the former DR Congo player Youssouf Mulumbu stopping him with a goalline clearance. We attacked again, constantly trying to find an ever present Shane Long who didn’t stop running and playing the offside trap better than I’ve ever seen.
Finally the breakthrough came with Gera nut megging Gary Cahill to find Jerome Thomas who squared Jussi Jaaskelainen to find the back of the net to the home fans’ delight! There is a question that Thomas was offside, but Wheater was playing him onside and even his reaction tells you that.
Albion’s hard work was all undone when man of the moment Jerome Thomas fouled Fabrice Muamba inside the area off a cleared corner to concede a penalty. Thomas came across the England U21 midfielder and went into him. At the time I said penalty and I stand by that decision. Klasnic hit the penalty like Graham Dorrans to Ben Foster’s right. The ‘keeper guessed correctly but had no chance as he buried it in the corner. This sent the Trotters into delirium, although it took them a couple of second to realise the ball gone in mind.
This got Bolton going and they went for another with Foster tested by former Wolves midfielder Mark Davies who skipped past our back line but shot straight at Foster, who saved with his feet. He should have really hit the ball across Foster but he was off balance.
Right at the end of the half we nearly restored our goal lead with Shorey crossing to a running Gera who headed straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Second half
Albion started brightly and created numerous chances with Gera showing his old creative spark and Thomas not being afraid to run at young Joe Riley. We were gaining momentum and Long was getting into good positions with only Cahill and Wheater providing last ditch dives to stop the ROI international from scoring.
This attack finally lead to success with some very nice passing from us. Brunt switched play to Jerome Thomas who knocked the ball inside to Nicky Shorey. He crossed first time into Shane Long who rose in front and above David Wheater to glace his header into the far post past the Finnish ‘keeper. A great goal, great header off the post and in, so glad to have him back and scoring!
We didn’t stop there though creating chances left, right and centre through the pace of Thomas. After the creativity of Gera and the hard work of Long, Thomas had the most notable of chances. A cut back fell right to him. He decided to side-foot it straight at Jaaskelainen who caught it easily.
During this time we also had a couple of penalty shouts with Joe Riley barging into Long, who stayed on his feet, despite his feet being clipped by the defender. But the main one, which for me was a penalty, was again on Shane Long who ran inside taking Wheater on. The defender wrestled him to the ground and then tried to tackle, but missed the ball and took Long out! Two penalties, yet non given!
I thought Bolton would come at us for the last 15 minutes but they created nothing. Bolton brought on N’Gog for pace against Olsson and McCauley, but the long balls were countered easily by our centre backs. A special mention must also go to Mulumbu who was a rock, along with Morrison, yes Morrison!
On reflection
Second half we were good and defiantly deserved the three points. First half we needed to keep focus. Better teams would punish us. McAuley picked himself up and improved along with Thomas. I think Roy got his tactics spot on!
Keep Long playing, he’s a great striker, to say he’s a small lad he shows great hold up play and plays the last man so well. He makes me proud to be a Baggie. I thought Thomas was good and Gera showed the creativity we have missed, showing us he is not too old! Mulumbu controlled the game well with no Scharner and showed no signs of struggling, but Morrison helped him out well. He made some great passes and movement, something I feel we have missed for a long time under Roy.
Spurs next week will be a tough test. Reid against Bale and Lennon will be interesting, has he got the pace to deal with the hit and run? I think he has dealt with pace so well this season but we must access before the game about this.
Overall it was a great three points from a great midfield and attractive performance, along with a strong back line, more of that and weak defences won’t knows what’s hit them. Tenth may not be our aim and we will probably not finish that high, but we are showing enough to stay up.
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