Bolton Wanderers vs Peterborough United - match review

Another Red Card!

 Bolton Wanderers took on Peterborough United, in what was sure to be a very interesting fixture, both sides finished in the playoffs last season and will be targeting the same, if not more, this season. The game can't be completely analysed because of the red card to Bolton player, Gethin Jones, it is safe to say that it was a red card and really quite a nasty incident - you can view the tackle here

Statistical review

Of course, the red card will have disrupted most of the statistics from the game and therefore I will take the majority of stats from the first half. The game was fairly even, with the possession stats completely even (50% each) and the total shots ranking in Peterborough's favour (6 for Bolton and 10 for Peterborough). Both teams only created 1 big chance, in the entire game, and they were both scored by Jonson Clarke-Harris and Victor Adeboyejo. 

Clarke-Harris was particularly impressive for Peterborough: playing the full game, scoring 1, playing 1 key pass (a pass resulting in a shot), winning 2/4 of his ground duels and 6/7 of his aerial duels. You can see why he attracted so much interest in the summer for Championship and League One clubs, including Bolton themselves. Another standout player for Peterborough was Harrison Burrows: playing the full game, registering an assist, making 1 tackle, playing 5 key passes (ridiculous), playing 7 accurate crosses, creating 1 big chance and winning 4/6 of his ground duels - a great performance from the young man.

For the Wanderers, Nathan Baxter was probably the best performer, registering an 8.0 rating on SofaScore, he made: 5 saves, 3 high claims, 23 passes and won his only aerial duel; obviously, stats are hard to track for a goalkeeper but those statistics are of a very high quality, really proving himself when he needed to. Randell Williams was also very impressive, despite having to play more defensive: 2 key passes, 1 cross, 1 long ball, 6/8 ground duels won, 2/3 aerial duels won and an interception - for a player who is more attacking than defensive, these are very good numbers.

Overall review 

Bolton Wanderers tried out a new set piece tactic from a free kick, that resulted in a shot from the edge of the box: Sheehan played it short to Williams, he drew in pressure then let the ball run to George Thomason who had a good shot from 20 yards. This effort was saved but it shows the continued progress that Bolton have made when it comes to set piece situations this season, and the creativity that they are willing to use.

The Bolton goal was a very poor one to concede (highlights) and showed the lack of leadership at the back without Ricardo Santos and George Johnston. The ball was crossed into the back post and Josh Sheehan, Will Forrester and Jack Iredale were picking up 2 men - this suits the basic defensive principle of +1 but it also created confusion. Clarke-Harris escaped Iredale and Forrester wasn't aware, he basically had a free header and Baxter couldn't really do anything, very poor. 

However, the reply was instant from Bolton Wanderers, scoring just 2 minutes later. A long ball was sent up to Adeboyejo, who controlled it well and laid it off to Josh Sheehan. Sheehan used his small frame and composure to dribble past the Peterborough player and then play a beautiful through ball to Josh Dacres Cogley. Cogley crossed the ball into the corridor of uncertainty but the goalkeeper came out and blocked the cross, because of the angle and power, he spilled it and Adeboyejo arrived in the position of maximum output to score. He seems to score this type of a goals a lot, a real box number 9, in my opinion.

I won't comment on the red card because it is a blatant red, but he should know better than that.

The second half resulted in a lot of defending for the Wanderers and a bit of luck may have helped them over the line. At the end of the day, it is a very good point to get with only 10 men, Peterborough are a good team and Bolton fans shouldn't be too disappointed.