I’m not going to do a match report as everyone has seen the game/highlights have their views about what went wrong in the game. What I’m going to do is look at the positives that came out of the Leeds game – something that I’ve not done since – well, a long time ago. Looking at negatives has started to bore me so I thought; I’ll mix it up.

You’re right in thinking this won’t be a long blog piece but it’s there for people that want some pro’s from their beloved Bolton Wanderers.

From kick off, we actually looked dangerous, not in a sense that we were smashing the ball up to Kevin Davies and Leeds weren’t dealing with it. We actually moved the ball about well, something that I’ve not seen since Coyle first took charge and wanted to ‘change our style of play’. Eagles was on the ball a lot and beating his man every time, something that he has the ability to do against 90% of the Championship teams in my opinion.

Playing Mark Davies on the right (knowing he’d come into the middle) was actually working as when he went, Mears was showing down the right and Leeds couldn’t deal with that. We went 1-0 up. Slight ironic that after all the good play that it was from a set piece.

After the goal we came under a little bit of pressure, which is understandable and normally happens, but unusually we where defending well – Mills especially. However, the fact that all four of our defenders still ‘hoofed’ the ball up field countless times still irritates me. The reason we were defending well was because we showed some confidence, not just in defence but also throughout the team and it showed. Finally from this game, the two loan signings really impressed me. Steven Warnock is exactly what we need (a left footed left back mainly) and is sure in a tackle.

Likewise in Jay Spearing, but he may have surprised many with the other qualities he’s brought into the team. He always wants the ball, nearly always makes the simple pass and seems to do the little things that make a massive difference. He could be the difference between 6th and 7th (as the playoffs is what I think we’re aiming for!)

So, not many positives but they are there and despite the constant despise against Coyle, football is still being played.