To be fair, it was our first home league defeat since Chelsea in October, and a few of our first team were in Africa, but we still played poorly. It did seem unlucky to concede so late on, but really we shouldn’t have had any hope - the only reason we had hope was because of a moment of brilliance from Nolan which made one of our few chances count before Blackburn made one of their many count.
The game started ok but after a while the teams started to cancel each other out. It looked like heading to 0-0 at half time until Kevin Nolan volleyed Joey O’Brien’s cross into the top corner with his back to goal. That should make MotD’s goal of the month competition (no Bolton goals made last night’s December contest).
In the second half Blackburn were on top, and made it count in the 53rd minute, when Jussi was caught in two minds from David Bentley’s corner, and just ended up standing there while Samba headed the ball off the ground and above Guthrie on the post for the equaliser.
And if it wasn’t for Nolan’s strike, Bolton would have had no hope of getting anything from the game, but it did feel a bit unlucky (even if we did deserve it) when substitute Jason Roberts’ shot was deflected in in the 90th minute.
It was cruel the fact it happened as late as it did, but we’d ridden our luck. They were on top most of the second half.
We struggled to contain Jason Roberts, our organisation was poor, it was a bad goal to give away but the first one was even worse.
I’d imagine that over the last 10 games, in the form guide of everyone at the bottom, we’d be top - today was a bad day but we’ve got to make sure it was a one-off.
- Gary Megson
