That's a textbook lesson in how to design a gameplan and execute it. Man for man we weren't necessarily the better team, the league table shows that, but Shaun outsmarted Evatt, and our players out competed Bolton.
One key difference is that Bolton are capable of moving the ball very quickly and showed in the first 20 mins that they are dangerous at getting into 1v1s, in particular that was against Scott and Jonny and also Chambers, and this did peg us back a bit and not allow us to press so high because they were finding it quite easy to get to the edge of our box uncontested.
However, once we nullified their early threat we grew into the game and Bolton were clearly worried about Cal Mac and Jonny breaking at speed. The early (deserved) yellow cards played in our favour as well.
Shaun has admitted that the subs were premeditated and the game plan worked perfectly. Cal Mac was our most threatening player, got 2 of their players booked, but was always going to manage a hour max. Josh worked hard although not much came off for him, but it's better we start with him as per Shrewsbury away, rather than leave him on the bench as per Cheltenham. Shaun was clearly playing for the clean sheet in the first 60 mins to enable us to try and attack more when Godo and Humps came on.
Both subs made an instant impact, and Humps took his goal really well. Shout out to Chambers for a brilliant assist - he's such a talent. Godo still doesn't look completely match sharp, but grew into the game as he looked to be an outlet and keep possession. How it wasn't a red card for the rugby tackle, I'll never know.
I thought the ref was finneky and Josh got nothing out of him, but we also did a very good job of keeping our heads and staying aggressive but not going beyond that.
Very difficult to pick a MOTM, maybe Tickle or Scott Smith for me.
Tickle - 8 - handled well, kicked well (mostly), and some excellent saves.
Scott Smith - 8 - very assured in defense, but also was always looking to receive the ball and play progressively. RB could well be his long term position
Kerr - 7 - Still have some concerns about his defensive qualities in the box from corners and crosses, but he was excellent on the ball and limited Bolton to very little
Goode - 7 - Very solid performance considering he's playing through an injury
Chambers - 8 - Clean sheet and an assist for a 19 year old wonderkid.
Jonny Smith - 6 - struggled positionally in an unfamiliar LWB position, but lots of energy and effort
Baba - 8 - Best game for a while, as he was much more progressive on the ball. Keep working on that half turn and play the ball forward and he'll be such a better player for it.
M Smith - 7 - I thought it was a bit too easy to play through and around him at times in the first half, but he got better as the game went on
Cal Mac - 8 - Always positive and Bolton had little option but to constantly chop him down. A brilliant option for these types of games, and I think he should be starting more matches going forward until Godo finds a bit more form
Thelo - 8 - Perhaps a quite game but he was always the one playing the smart and fast ball to get us into 1v1 positions, and his workrate at pressing and covering was unbelievable
Josh - 7 - A typical Josh performance, and it set the game up perfectly for the subs
Subs:
Humps - 8 - well taken goal
Godo - 7 - positive and up for it
Morrison/Pearce N/A