Bolton Wanderer vs Derby County 2-1 - match review

 2 PENS 1 RED

Bolton Wanderers vs Derby County promised to be a good battle with the current form of both sides and both targeting playoffs, at a minimum. The game saw 1 red card, for the Derby goalkeeper after a handball, and 2 penalties that were both fair to allow but Bolton came out on top in the end after a good performance before and after the opposition's red card. 

Statistical overview 

The stats show that Bolton dominated the game and it was amazing that they didn't score first, the total game saw Bolton control 71% of possession and take 7 more shots. However, the red card make the full 90 stats less representable of the gap between the teams - the first half (the red was in the second) still highlight how much Bolton dominated the game. They had 69% possession and 5 more shots, creating 1 big chance (the penalty) which was converted by Dion Charles. 

To be completely honest, I was underwhelmed by Derby County and I did expect more from them. Despite this, they did also create 1 big chance (their penalty) and convert it to go into the lead - against the run of play. Some of their players did show their individual quality, especially Curtis Nelson, who joined the club from Blackpool in the summer. He made 6 clearances, blocked 2 shots and was dribbled past 0 times, also he won 4/5 of his aerial duels - absolutely dominating the backline, furthermore he did actually play 1 key pass as well, from centre half. 

The most impressive player for the Wanderers was Josh Sheehan in the centre of midfield and the statistics show it: Sheehan dictated the play with 86 touches and a 92% pass accuracy, he also played 4 key passes and 4/4 accurate long balls. Sheehan's ability to retain possession but also progress the play and dictate the football just emphasises how crucial he is to the Bolton side. Moreover, he won 4/4 of his ground duels - proving some wrong who said that he is a liability defensively. Eoin Toal was also a standout player for the Trotters: he was very solid defensively, making 4 clearances and 3 blocked shots, also winning 8/12 duels in the air and on the ground - a superb comeback from injury. 

Overall review

The eye test also showed how dominant Bolton were over Derby in Saturday's affair, but Derby did score the first goal. It came from a corner where all the Derby player started in the 6 yard box and just before the corner was taken, they all moved out to the edge of the box. They ran in all directions and, stupidly, Adeboyejo pulled down his man it was a fairly obvious penalty decision for the referee, Conor Hourihane stepped up for the Rams and converted to make it 1-0 in the 34rd minute. 

 In the 43rd minute, Dempsey had the ball on the right wing, after a throw, and cut it back to the edge of the box, where Josh Sheehan was arriving. Derby's Korey Smith dragged him down and the referee had no choice but to give a penalty that Dion Charles would step up to take. Charles converted his penalty to level the game just before half time, Bolton were dominating the game but they couldn't create a clear cut chance. However, in the 48th minute, just after half time, Joe Wildsmith decided that the 18 yard box had become a 30 yard box and therefore decided to save Charles' shot and was sent off. Bolton looked like a goal would never come until Josh Dacres Cogley got very lucky in in the 65th minute, he had a cross from outwide that took a very wild deflection and looped over the goalkeeper to put Bolton ahead. The rest of the game was very uneventful with the highlight being Ian Evatt finally making a sub, in the 76th minute, but he brought on Carlos Mendes Gomes at right back..... hmmmm.

My thoughts

Bolton were definitely deserved winners but again were poor when it came to clear cut chances and finishing quality. Despite their domination, it took a red card to the starting goalkeeper to come close to scoring an open play goal. Adeboyejo looked poor again and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has got to be knocking on the door and asking why he isn't playing, both Jerome and Nlundulu have been substituted on before him and they haven't shown why in the games. On a positive note, George Thomason next to Josh Sheehan was a very good selection for Bolton as it gave them creativity and a bit of fight in midfield, that they have been missing in recent weeks. 

For Derby, I can't understand why Eiran Cashin didn't start because he has been 1 of, if not, their best player this season - I understand that he was linked away from the club, but if he was training and available for the bench, he should've started. Unfortunately, the red card did stop them winning the game but their goal came against the run of play and they didn't look like scoring another. They are better than that performance.