Whites Back to Winning Ways

Posted by Ratbert in Bolton, Charlton | 24 April 2006

Post Match Musings: Bolton 4 Charlton 1

There was bound to be a backlash sooner or later, and I expect poor old Charlton knew days before a ball was kicked it would be them. The hapless Addicks (what kind of a nickname is that?) would probably get beaten by us if they had a five goal lead, such is the jinx we have on the south Londoners.

This was the day that the much-criticised goal getters got goals. Bandylegs Vaz Te did the sensible thing and headed in the first after 15 minutes; then in devasting rapid succession came Davies and Borgetti (playing a full 90 minutes!) to take us into the break 3-0 up. Now whenever you see a score like that, you hope deep down another four'll be popped in second half. Things usually however peter out into nothing and all we got (!!) was a consolation penalty for the opposition and a cream-on-the-cappucino second for Davies.

Now I've been the biggest critic in recent weeks of Davies, Borgetti and Vaz Te, but garlands of flowers around each neck for Saturday. Given the chance to shine after lengthy spells getting spilntery bottoms or being surrounded by multiple opposition defenders, they delivered the goods, though given that Charlton were clearly already on the beaches of the Maldives or the golf courses of the Algarve it wasn't the biggest test for them. More eating of Premiership pudding is required before we get the final proof, I'd say.

It was also a good turn-up for Sam, who finally dismounted his high horse, took a spoon of Humble Pie with Custard, and changed tactics from the seemingly inflexible Davies-and-no-one-else approach that was going so stale you could smell it in John O'Groats. Controversially, Nolan got a rest, presumably to make him hungry again. I expect a similar approach against Spurs on Sunday - Tottenham have seemed a bit edgy and snappy of late as the realisation of Champion's League football stares them in the face, a bit like when the girl you've been eyeing up all night finally looks back and smiles and you freeze to the spot, thinking, "what the **** do I do now?" Whilst we can't sweep Spurs's dream honey off her feet, three points would at least help get us a second outing with her marginally less attarctive but still fanciable mate.

Now all we need are more slip ups from our neighbours in Wigan and Blackburn... fingers, toes, and other crossable body parts crossed.