spelling errors - 'so' should be 'show' and 'maeked' should be 'marked', i was annoyed just thinking of Wilhelmson. Also what has Andranik done to be consistantly overlooked, and again, WHERE IS HELGUSSON AND DZEMALI?

Aidan... you think Cid played well, i think he was caught out of position far to many times and relied on wilhelmmson to cover.

Relied on Wilhelmson to cover! if Wilhelmson had covered we wouldnt have conceeded that goal.When Meite went up against there centre forward, Cid covered behind whilst Wilhelmson stood 5 yards behind the goalscorer just watching him, marking no one at all.

Meite was alright, but why didn't he head the cross over the bar instead of back out into the area? Stupid defending.

Nolan was atrocious, stumbling his way around the pitch and missing a pair of very simple chances. Not good enough.

Why bother fighting so hard to get into Europe and then play like that when we do?

Nico and EHD need to start against Belgrade.

What I'd like to know is who let those Millwall fans into the south stand.

I'd let Wilhelmsson and Cid go in January. For me they simply are not up to Premiership standard.

Cid is on a good wage, so not many Frenchies could afford him even if they wanted to, but I'd let Willy, Braaten and Alonso go and replace them with people who actually know how to play.

No chance of us keeping Ando when his contract expires, we have treated him very shabbily. To bring Alonso on instead of him was a joke - I have never seen a poorer midfield display than his last night.

Just an all round pour performance! I agree that Nolan didn't care, he hardly bothered in the second half. I feel it is time to give the captaincy to someone else. Until the last 15 minutes we created very little, Davies (bless his cotton socks) works like a Trojan but just doesn't seem to show anything in front of goal. If Anelka doesn't play we don't look like scoring, if Diouf doesn't play we don't create. Even Guthrie had a poor game until Diouf and Anelka came on, and then he gained a lot more space to work in. The substitution of McCann and Aonso should finally show that Alonso just doesn't have what it takes, far too often he wasted possession when on the ball. And why he has to try fancy little flicks and turns when a simple short ACCURATE pass would suffice, he's spent too much time training with Campo!
Another £10 and Thursday evening wasted at the Rebook. If Megson and Nolan et al want to moan that not enough fans come to the Reebok, then they should sit on the terraces and actually watch the poor quality football that THEY produce. It angers me that footballers on £20k a WEEK moan that the fans don't turn up, as average wages are £15k a YEAR we just can't afford to spend up to £39 a game to watch rubbish, start entertaining us or more people will stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!

gazz_ball - Supera Moras! wrote:
Aidan... you think Cid played well, i think he was caught out of position far to many times and relied on wilhelmmson to cover.

gazz, spott on , very poor performance by cid last night, every time they came at us he was well out of position and left us wide open.. surely he's got to go in january...

gazz_ball - Supera Moras! wrote:
Aidan... you think Cid played well, i think he was caught out of position far to many times and relied on wilhelmmson to cover.

Absolutely! CID gives opposition way too much space, in the main his tackling is crap, he gets on the wrong side of defenders.....please dont say CID played well!!

I think Cid had quite a reasonable game last night and is showing improvement, after having lost all confidence from his atrocious start to the season at centre back.

I think he is worth persevering with. Don't forget Campo was bought originally as a centre back and how bad was he until he was moved to the holding role in midfield?

Nolan once again had a very poor game, how many more chances is he going to be given to up his game. He has never been the same since he became a dad.

Agree with 99% of the above. Dire, groaning performance apart from the end where even though there were many errors we did keep the "never say die" going and it paid off with Stelios's goal. We have just played two teams who have showed us how to pass accurately and KEEP the ball. Quite a lesson!! But will it be learnt? Do many of our players have enough skill?

10/10 to the Aris Fans. We should have had subtitles on the screen!!! They were very impressive and so organised. What was that turning their backs to the pitch for? Anybody know? Glad they did not react to the unnecessary and heavy handed stewarding/policing!

Come on you Whites!! Keep up the never say die attitude! Got to play better than that at Anfield for my £34 quid ticket! Still about 600 left (1200 sold so far)

We looked second best,no motivation, lack of ideas, lack of class passing/ finishing.........no
t good.
Low attendance, I wonder why...the club put out a weak team,are they taking seriously ? They expect th supporters to by watching the misfit team selected. Last night was a major wasted opportunity to progress.
I dont understand the focus of getting into Europe, then not giving it justice when you get there ?

Pedro wrote:
Agree with 99% of the above. Dire, groaning performance apart from the end where even though there were many errors we did keep the \"never say die\" going and it paid off with Stelios\'s goal. We have just played two teams who have showed us how to pass accurately and KEEP the ball. Quite a lesson!! But will it be learnt? Do many of our players have enough skill? 10/10 to the Aris Fans. We should have had subtitles on the screen!!! They were very impressive and so organised. What was that turning their backs to the pitch for? Anybody know? Glad they did not react to the unnecessary and heavy handed stewarding/policing! Come on you Whites!! Keep up the never say die attitude! Got to play better than that at Anfield for my £34 quid ticket! Still about 600 left (1200 sold so far)

Erm they did react mate.

They were thumping the cops and piling in for all they were worth!

We were given a lesson in close control and passing, that's for sure. Cid was embarrassing and I take no pleasure in saying so but I think he's very much Megson's last option in that position and barring injuries, I doubt we'll see him in a premier league game again. Stelios is the club's most consistent finisher after Anelka and I can't understand the lack of first team chances for him. Whoever said Nolan missed easy chances above didn't watch the same game as me - I do remember him trying to side-foot into the top corner from 20-odd yards later on and missing by a whisker. He didn't play well apart from that but like Stelly, remains a goal threat. Hope we don't rue not winning either of our very winnable home games in this group, it would be a real shame if we don't get another big away fixture. By the way, well played Nicky Hunt, was it really he that I saw play a couple of fifty yard passes and then beat a man and cross from the byline???!!!

I think so far all the comments show some positive critisms and differences of opinion but i agree that if Kevin Nolan cant hit the target from 18 yards, on his correct foot, no pressure from players around him and the ball almost stationary, then he should not be shooting at all.

Cid was absolute bobbings last night. He was caught out of position far too many times. We had a natural left back on the bench, so I don't see why Samuel wasn't playing.

Congratulations to the Stayaway Whites:

Unless you're going to Belgrade you've probably just missed the last EVER chance to watch BWFC in Europe.

We don't deserve to get into Europe again with only 8,500 home fans bothering to turn up last night.

It was only £15 maximum for an adult, even in the top tiers for gods sake !!

Pathetic support, it really is. Hope you're all satisfied with yourselves apart from those with genuine excuses.

The players looked aghast when they came out of the tunnel and saw a crowd that only Bury would be pleased with. No wonder they were in '2nd gear'.

As for the chimps in the Lion of Vienna suite, almost half of them didn't re-appear in the 2nd half. Great support from the weatlhy few...

martinf1981 wrote:
Cid was absolute bobbings last night. He was caught out of position far too many times. We had a natural left back on the bench, so I don't see why Samuel wasn't playing.

I believe Megson was taking no precautions knowing we need him to cover for Hunt on sunday. Had he played and got injured, we'd be in more of a mess then.

I think Cid was poor too, he has no positional sense and in reality needs a season out on loan in the championship to toughen up and learn the basics of the english game, it's a lot different to the much less competitive french version of which he played a little of.
I don't think Wilhelmsson was that bad. He tried but he's had almost no football for so long with injuries, he's in need of some reserve football for a month or so to sharpen up but with us lacking for example Vaz Te, we're having to throw people in at the deep end there.

I don't think Alonso was as bad as made out, but when Mccann went off, we had 3 attacking midfielders, Nolan should've taken the holding role and let Mikel and Guthrie go forwards, as both are way more threatening than he is. Meite played better than usual and we need him to continue to do so.

As for Aidan asking about Blerim & Vaz Te, both are probably not back in training yet, and I know how good a player Dzemaili is. Asking him to come into the prem after no pre-season and no football in months will be career suicide. We need him loaned out to gain fitness in the championship and not to think about him until next season, if he plays rustily which he most certainly will, we risk losing another player to confidence issues caused by the fans jumping on his back. Andranik on the other hand must be in the side on sunday, with Campo and for me, Alonso and leave Nolan on the bench.

My team for sun would be

Jussi
Samuel
Gardner
A O'Brien
Meite

andranik
campo
alonso

diouf
anelka
davies

subs
stelios
braaten
michailik
al habsi
nolan

although i'd be tempted to risk no gk sub, russian roulette perhaps but we need more ambitious benches.

One minute EENIE, i never once asked for the where abouts of Vaz Te, it wouldnt bother me if i never see of hear of him again, i was interested to know Where Hieder Helgusson was?
Also you say Cid nears more experience in England and Dzemali shouldnt be thrown in (although if at home against a poor greek side to come on for a few minutes is too much of a risk, who do you suggest he play against - if he is fit at all) But then you go on to state that Andranik should start in centre midfield (where he has never played before) away at Liverpool, when he has hardley started a game before. I dont mind being questioned on my opinion but at least keep your arguments consistant.

Well I was there and to be honest it wasn't the best. No urgency and passing was poor. If players were trying to prove something I must have missed it.

What was worth seeing though were those Aris fans. Never stopped singing and had some great chants. Particularly liked the one where split in half and pointed and chanted at each other before all pogoing at once. Hats off boys.

Also very colourful. They showed it can be done in the Reebok and they outsand the Bolton fans.

On a negative note was the behaviour of our stewards after the goal. In my opinion they caused all the trouble in the away end by their heavy handedness. But then again that wouldn't be a first would it.

Forza Whites!

BWFC-TIL-I-DIE wrote:

gazz_ball - Supera Moras! wrote: Aidan... you think Cid played well, i think he was caught out of position far to many times and relied on wilhelmmson to cover.

gazz, spott on , very poor performance by cid last night, every time they came at us he was well out of position and left us wide open.. surely he's got to go in january...

A very poor performance from Cid indeed, how a full back can be caught out of position so many times is beyond me, not to mention the space he gives his attaker to cross the ball, in fact Wilhelmsson has also be given a full game in which he did not take his opportunity to stake a regular claim for a starting position, in all the whole team performance was one of a "mental" did not care attitude which showed with a very poor team performance.

Keep the faith

chris wood wrote:
We looked second best,no motivation, lack of ideas, lack of class passing/ finishing.........no
t good.
Low attendance, I wonder why...the club put out a weak team,are they taking seriously ? They expect th supporters to by watching the misfit team selected. Last night was a major wasted opportunity to progress.
I dont understand the focus of getting into Europe, then not giving it justice when you get there ?

i agree chris.we finish in a uefa spot in the league and everybody is elated.when it comes around the following season we treat it like the carling cup.makes me wonder why we get so excited about the competition apart from the 'jolly boys outing'aspect,it seems to me that the club treat it as a distraction.what do you think?

Mick, I think the Club want to be in Europe for the prestiege it gives us and that it may help attract players to the club, but it doesn't bring in money and when the squad is struggling in the league then it is seen as a distraction and liability as it means more games and chances of injuries. The Premiership and the profits it brings in via television money is where the interest lies.

Nolan needs encouragement rather than lots of knocking. He seemed to be regaining some of his past form (slowly)but was certainly pretty bad last night - was unable to get much right but I am not sure how people can say he does not care. Lack of confidence can appear like that. Stelios ought to be getting more time - good game last might. Alonso can't pass and loses the ball too often. Guthrie was sound - creates times and space for himself. Hunt - fine, O'Brien - good game - Meite mixed, Cid quite poor. Davo - his usual self!
It's certainly weird that it is the height of achievement to get into Europe then no-one goes to see the games.
The support for Aris was brill to see - well done the yellow supporters. I wonder what some da-glo kit would do for us?

Every Aris player looked at least a yard faster than every Bolton player last night. Christ, they've got to be better than that next Thursday. If they're that slow and sluggish in Belgrade they could freeze to death on the pitch.
Hate to think what the midfield might be on Sunday. Alonso to play against his brother for the sake of a good story? Hope not. Speed, McGann - doesn't bear thinking about. For Gods sake let Andranik have his chance!

Does anyone have any experience of Belgrade, ie how safe is it, where are the best places to socialise etc.

My team for sunday would be:

Jaaskelainen (GK)
Gardner (LB)
A O'Brien (RB)
Meite (CB)
Michalik (CB)
Campo (DM)
Andranik (CM)
Alonso (CM)
Diouf (LW)
Davies (RW)
Anelka (S)

Subs
Al-Habsi
Samuel
Speed
Wilhelmsson
Stelios

I can't understand why Michalik doesn't play more regularly, as i can't understand why Andranik doesn't.

Michalik gives us a threat attacking corners, and also helps us defend balls into the box with his heading ability. I think he deserves a chance to show what he can do.

From what i've seen of Andranik, he is a hard worker, good passer, and scores a few goals. He deserves a chance too.

In the UEFA Cup, Alonso had a bad game with many misplaced passes but he is an extremely hard worker. He gives 110% everytime he plays and that is the sort of player we will need against Liverpool. We will have to chase the ball down lots and try to nick a goal and a point or three!

Savaaaaaaaaage! wrote:
Congratulations to the Stayaway Whites: Unless you're going to Belgrade you've probably just missed the last EVER chance to watch BWFC in Europe. We don't deserve to get into Europe again with only 8,500 home fans bothering to turn up last night. It was only £15 maximum for an adult, even in the top tiers for gods sake !! Pathetic support, it really is. Hope you're all satisfied with yourselves apart from those with genuine excuses. The players looked aghast when they came out of the tunnel and saw a crowd that only Bury would be pleased with. No wonder they were in '2nd gear'. As for the chimps in the Lion of Vienna suite, almost half of them didn't re-appear in the 2nd half. Great support from the weatlhy few...

I totally agree, yet another reminder that BWFC fans are the ficklest.
We don't deserve a Premiership team never mind one that has challenged in Europe twice out of the last three years.
There seems to be more Whites fans' on 'ere moaning than actually getting off there a**** cheering on the boys.
I think The Ginger Mourinho who has done nothing wrong since joining the club has had a raw deal with the fans and will probably think when the next job comes along he will hope to try and put himself in the frame.

Cid was absolute bobbins , crap , hopeless , back to the crap standard he set on his arrival. He was a complete liabilty. Wilhemsson , can't understand how he can play has badly as he is doing. THe guy played well for Roma last season and can do it for Sweden but he was equal in quality to Cid last night. He can't trap a ball or pass it. Nolan was again woefull , Meite played well , good composure for once. Alonso is a lightweight , he has gone completely off the boil. Stelios, i would start him , he gets into the right positions , ie has a great footballing brain. We look more of a threat when he plays.

Like many of you I dashed home from work, rushed my tea and got to the match and felt let down by the size of the crowd just like I'm sure the players were, the difference being I won't get the vast amount of wages they will get. Like them I will be there again next match and like a lot of them I will be there for many more matches no matter what just like I have in the past so I think I have more right than most to pass my opinion.

I agree with trottersforever quote: -

I think Cid had quite a reasonable game last night and is showing improvement, after having lost all confidence from his atrocious start to the season at centre back.

I think he is worth persevering with. Don't forget Campo was bought originally as a centre back and how bad was he until he was moved to the holding role in midfield.

We missed Campo last night and thank goodness Stelios played for 90 minutes, he was wherever the action was all over the pitch, like Campo he reads the game and he can place a ball, we need their skills, the more Stelios plays the better he will get again. We should as soon as possible go for Gutherie, especially at the moment while Liverpool are trying for a full spanish team. Andranik should be given a chance. I'm not over impressed with Alonso or Wilhelmsson, to be honest the times Wilhelmsson's been injured and the few times he's played I would be afraid of giving him a contract. Hunt played well, give credit when it's due. Nolan not so good last night but both Nolan and Davies missed a sitter but then so did Anelka. Neither Diouf or Anelka (whom I rate highly), looked as though they wanted to be playing. They should have a word with Davies, the grass is not always greener in the next field, the board can't make them move if they don't want to they are under contract, they won't pay the wages they are on and not play them. It is up to the players to pull their fingers out and get us some points on the board. Not many teams win at Liverpool (what's betting Liverpool get a penalty)a win or a draw will be a bonus but the next few games is a must. Come On You Whites, make sure we all have a good Christmas

bwfc_1210 wrote:
My team for sunday would be: Jaaskelainen (GK) Gardner (LB) A O'Brien (RB) Meite (CB) Michalik (CB) Campo (DM) Andranik (CM) Alonso (CM) Diouf (LW) Davies (RW) Anelka (S) Subs Al-Habsi Samuel Speed Wilhelmsson Stelios I can't understand why Michalik doesn't play more regularly, as i can't understand why Andranik doesn't. Michalik gives us a threat attacking corners, and also helps us defend balls into the box with his heading ability. I think he deserves a chance to show what he can do. From what i've seen of Andranik, he is a hard worker, good passer, and scores a few goals. He deserves a chance too. In the UEFA Cup, Alonso had a bad game with many misplaced passes but he is an extremely hard worker. He gives 110% everytime he plays and that is the sort of player we will need against Liverpool. We will have to chase the ball down lots and try to nick a goal and a point or three!

Alonso should not start after this display - give Stelios a chance. Stelios has played well this season whenever given the chance and he is our second highest scorer!!

Savaaaaaaaaage! wrote:
Congratulations to the Stayaway Whites: Unless you're going to Belgrade you've probably just missed the last EVER chance to watch BWFC in Europe. We don't deserve to get into Europe again with only 8,500 home fans bothering to turn up last night. It was only £15 maximum for an adult, even in the top tiers for gods sake !! Pathetic support, it really is. Hope you're all satisfied with yourselves apart from those with genuine excuses. The players looked aghast when they came out of the tunnel and saw a crowd that only Bury would be pleased with. No wonder they were in '2nd gear'. As for the chimps in the Lion of Vienna suite, almost half of them didn't re-appear in the 2nd half. Great support from the weatlhy few...

May I just point out that at least 20 fans were watching the match abroad (and that includes myself) all in one small bar in Amsterdam (advertisement time: Satellite Sports Cafe/Pancake Corner and when I'm there watching the match 90pct of time its on the big screen behind the bar itself!!!! - got the staff well trained - especially the manager, Paulo!!!!!). Yes, some other Bolton fan has found out my identity - keep it quiet for now!!!!!

But I, too, agree with what Julie Moores has said, Megson has previously stated that he is not that particulalry bothered about ANY of the cup competitions this season as he wants the team to concentrate of Premiership survival - that has been transferred to the fans as well - why turn up to watch a half-hearted team (Munich was an exception as that will be the only time in the next 1000years that we will ever play them and it was a dream game!), I'd rather save money and go to the more important PREMIERSHIP games - that's what the team are concentrating on!!!


Plus why pay over the odds for a matchday ticket????? On the continent in leagues such as serie A, beundesliga and even the eredivisie the match prices are much lower than in the UK (and yes TV does still have an impact even over here!!!) and the clubs cater for the fans rather than the corporates.

Anyway I'm sick of giving Bolton my money just to be told that there is no more for buying players etc... Where is ther money going? Into the Directors pockets???? completely fed up of the way us true fans get treated by the club we support. Wigan game could possibly be the last game I go to until this board is replaced!!!

Anyway the players were only in second gear due to the fact that Megson has already pointed out that ALL cup games are NOT a priority and as such will rest as many players possible so that they are fresh for the Premiership games - so why pay money to see a half-hearted team.

The club, and Megson, were to blame for the low attendance at the Reebok on thursday!!!

Some of you may have missed this post from "An Aris Fan" in Manchester

"Hi from an Aris fan.

Thanks for all the good posts about our fans and your support in the stewards' dismal behaviour.

They didnt manage to get him out, all the rest of us were screaming and pulling, then a couple of our guys persuaded them to let it go.

As for the "choreography" with us turning our backs, well. it's something ARIS fans often do. It's part of the fun we have when we watch our team, part of our show! It also kind of saying "we dont care how the game s going, we are here to give it all, by singing, celebrating etc"

I was too disappointed with your fans, they were never heard during the game. Only that small part next to us. I believe the rest of the fans should follow the chants and singing during your games.

Good luck in the premiership guys."

Thanks "Aris Fan" You sure showed us up and made the roaring 4000 who travelled to Munich very embarrassed!!

ChrisS wrote:

bwfc_1210 wrote: My team for sunday would be: Jaaskelainen (GK) Gardner (LB) A O'Brien (RB) Meite (CB) Michalik (CB) Campo (DM) Andranik (CM) Alonso (CM) Diouf (LW) Davies (RW) Anelka (S) Subs Al-Habsi Samuel Speed Wilhelmsson Stelios I can't understand why Michalik doesn't play more regularly, as i can't understand why Andranik doesn't. Michalik gives us a threat attacking corners, and also helps us defend balls into the box with his heading ability. I think he deserves a chance to show what he can do. From what i've seen of Andranik, he is a hard worker, good passer, and scores a few goals. He deserves a chance too. In the UEFA Cup, Alonso had a bad game with many misplaced passes but he is an extremely hard worker. He gives 110% everytime he plays and that is the sort of player we will need against Liverpool. We will have to chase the ball down lots and try to nick a goal and a point or three!

Alonso should not start after this display - give Stelios a chance. Stelios has played well this season whenever given the chance and he is our second highest scorer!!

Warren Joyce gave 120% every game but that didn't stop him being an awful footballer. If Alonso's head was in the clouds on Thursday imagine what he'd be like playing against his little brother. No thanks. As for Wilhelmsson, that was the worst display in the McGinlay shirt I have seen since John Salako played for the reserves away at Port Vale.

gm everyone. Hope you all have a happy weekend. I had a lovely romantic meal for 2 last night- no, not with Eric.

Agree with the above, that effort often gets mistaken for talent. Wondering what team he will put out for Thurs, a match we probably have to win to progress. No doubt he will say the Wigan match is more important, and bang goes Europe for another season.

The sad thing is, he could have played a full strength team in previous 2 home ties and we would be through without having to worry about the next couple of matches.

Men are such dopes, I am seriously thinking of applying for the next BWFC managers job. I wouldnt tolerate the soft attitude that " I'm too tired to play 3 times a week " Nor would I continue to play week after week underperformers, strikers who never score, midfielders who cant shoot straight, tackle, head or pass. No clues on this one.

We would also do more womens activities- shopping, reading copies of Heat and being very giggly. Male strippers at half time and Smirnoff ice in the very lovely refreshment bars.

Match to watch was awfull. Were where the supporters. Bolton team did not turn up. Even the comments by the T.V. team started of well /and by the end of the game they were struggling? Do Bolton realy want to be in this comp? We just made a draw did we deserve that???. Stelios played well, the rest made up the team. Liverpool on Sunday. We can not be any worse. come on Bolton we do need the points. Make our day.

Jack wilson weymouth wrote:
Match to watch was awfull. Were where the supporters. Bolton team did not turn up. Even the comments by the T.V. team started of well /and by the end of the game they were struggling? Do Bolton realy want to be in this comp? We just made a draw did we deserve that???. Stelios played well, the rest made up the team. Liverpool on Sunday. We can not be any worse. come on Bolton we do need the points. Make our day.

Megson has already pointed out that the UEFA is an unwanted distraction - so no Bolton do not want to be in the competition!