Ratings: Wycombe Wanderers 2-4 Bolton Wanderers

As a Bolton fan living in the south, away matches make up a high percentage of the Wanderers matches that I can attend. Under Phil Parkinson, this would have been a thoroughly miserable situation given our dreadful record away from the Reebok, though things have upturned greatly under Ian Evatt’s stewardship.

Nevertheless, Wycombe Wanderers at Adam’s Park has haunted my nightmares ever since August 3rd 2019. The “bogey ground” to end all others, I have seen my side play here on every possible occasion and despite their warm welcome and tasty beer the 2-0, 1-0 and 1-0 losses have been gruelling to experience.

I wasn’t going to go last night, the fact it was on a Tuesday evening gave me the perfect excuse, but as anyone who has met me will know, I am an idiot.

So off I went on the Tube to Marylebone and on the train to High Wycombe to watch what I knew would be another low-scoring and heart-breaking defeat. I even backed Wycombe to win 1-0 at 8/1 odds!

Well, our boys proved me wrong. Four goals, one for each time I have now visited Adam’s Park, and a victory later I remain even now in a state of shock.

See below for how I rated the players that finally broke our Chiltern Hills curse:

Nathan Baxter 7.5

He made some absolutely excellent saves to deny Potts in both halves and was not helped out by his defence when Wheeler pounced on the rebound for the second of these efforts to make it 2-2. Leahy’s strike would have beaten any ‘keeper and he was good both aerially and in possession. I’d like to see him be a tad more confident coming out of goal to collect through balls to take pressure off his defence going forward.

Will Forrester 8

He reminds me of George Johnston but right-footed. He isn’t the tallest nor strongest but wins a huge percentage of headers and loves to get stuck into tackles. While this was not a game for him to be flashy in possession, Forrester stood up admirably to the defensive task and should certainly retain his place in the team for the Charlton game.

Ricardo Santos 7

I am still convinced that Rico is feeling his way back to full fitness as he looks slightly ponderous on the ball at present, though it has to be said that he was imperious in the air and made some excellent challenges in this game. My favourite moment was his shoulder-to-shoulder challenge on Brandon Hanlan in the second half where the former Gillingham forward was almost knocked into another county by our skipper. Rico needs to get back up to speed and be faster in possession, but it clearly boosts the whole team having him back.

Eoin Toal 8.5

His defensive work was on a par with Forrester and he was the best of our defenders in possession. He gains the extra 0.5 for an absolutely cracking header to get us back in front in what could prove to be a pivotal moment in the season. I’m no Jack Iredale fan as it is but there is no argument anyone can put forward to me for the Australian starting over Toal. The Northern Irishman is superior as a defender and is much less prone to lapses in concentration when playing alongside Santos. Plus, when he gets the ball, he scores a goal…

Gethin Jones 6.5

Playing at wing-back to add some defensive solidity, I felt Jones played the role he was assigned quite well. He was still beaten too easily by the likes of Taylor and McClearly at times, but was diligent in possession and won the header that put Jerome away for our penalty. Assuming we go back to our regular wingbacks at Charlton, I would still not keep him in the side at Forrester’s expense.

Josh Sheehan 9

Back when he played for Spurs, Mousa Dembele was often heralded by his then teammates as the best player they had at the club, despite them having seemingly much flashier stars at their disposal. Sheehan is our Dembele, and his teammates know it. Every week they laud his wizardry on social media and on displays like this he is simply imperious. Nobody else can find space in tight corners the way he can nor possesses the passing range he does (what a pass for our second goal, by the way). While last season I felt Sheehan was, understandably, nervous about a repeat injury and played within himself, he is at full tilt right now. Long may it continue!

George Thomason 7.5

He has his critics but he is starting to answer them with vigour. In a game where he could easily have reverted to type and been overly zealous in the tackle, Thomason kept a very cool head, demonstrating calmness on the ball and being sensible with his challenges. Add to this an excellent touch and finish to make use of Sheehan’s wondrous long pass for our second goal and you have a very accomplished performance. He is becoming a very valuable asset to the midfield.

Paris Maghoma 6.5

As has been stated by Marc Iles in the Bolton News, Maghoma was our best player for the opening half an hour. He scored his first goal via some awful goalkeeping from Stryjek, though should be applauded for the excellent turn that got him into the shooting position. His influence waned quite quickly, however, and he began to make errors in dangerous areas. There is definitely a useful player in there and I look forward to seeing more.

Josh Dacres-Cogley 7

For someone playing on the wrong side, I thought he did an admirable job. His pace was a useful weapon against the giant Jow Low and in the second period he defended well against Hanlan and Wheeler. I get the feeling he will always give a solid performance regardless of where he is asked to play for the team.

Victor Adeboyejo 7

He came in for some unwarranted criticism on the stands for his hold-up play, including one moment where the ball was fired into his face from point blank range and many of the fans in attendance claimed he should have been able to bring it down…with his cheek. Up against the experience of Keogh and the bulk of Low, I thought his control and ability to keep the ball was excellent. You get the impression a goal would do him the world of good.

Dion Charles 6

When he went down injured in the first half, I genuinely bricked myself. He wasn’t having a good game, in fact he was probably our weakest player, but he is so important to us that every time I think he is hurt it terrifies me. I’d have taken him off at half time and it baffles me that Bodvarsson doesn’t get a look in. Hard to criticise Dion given the goals he has scored but he needs to be better than this.

Substitutes

Aaron Morley 7

Did his best to miss the penalty but added energy and calmness on the ball when replacing Maghoma. He’s a very useful technician to turn a direct game back into a proper football match.

Cameron Jerome 7

He did the job he was brought on to do and won the penalty well with his experience.

Dan N’lundulu 6

How he gets in over JDB is beyond me. Can’t be nice to hear fans boo your arrival on the pitch and he desperately wants to do well, but it just isn’t happening.