‘United’ Bolton eke out another victory
Wanderers marked the halfway point in the season with an admittedly fortunate victory over West Brom that was achieved on the back of goals from Matthew Taylor and Johan Elmander and, arguably most importantly, an impressive defensive display in the face of considerable pressure.
A lucky win when a team isn’t doing well, on this occasion Coyle was entitled to highlight the positives of achieving victory when below your best while rightly pointing out that his side’s threat in front goal, much more significant than in recent seasons, meant they were always likely to pull off this kind of win.
Hence Bolton’s standing among the Premier League’s leading lights. “I don’t think we ever got to our maximum in the game,” Coyle said afterwards. “West Brom were terrific and had some great chances to score and didn’t take them.
“When you don’t play as well as you can and still win games, that bodes well for the rest of the season. We look a goal threat every time we go up the park and though we didn’t pass the ball well enough to get into that final third as much as I’d like on the occasions we did, we looked a team capable of scoring goals.”
The roots of victory were also evident immediately after Elmander had ensured his team would claim victory by striking the 86th minute second goal that finally killed off West Brom’s hopes, when Wanderers’ unlikely assault on the top four was briefly forgotten in favour of more important matters.
Absent from the Bolton squad was midfielder Tamir Cohen who has been granted compassionate leave to be his family in Israel following the road accident that left his father Avi, the former Liverpool player, in a critical condition.
Ignoring the chance to celebrate his goal, Elmander led the players over to the bench where they held up a shirt bearing the message ‘get well soon Avi Cohen’, a gesture manager Coyle believes typifies the bond within his squad that has contributed significantly to unexpected success this season.
“What’s happened to Avi is sad and it shows what the group is about,” Coyle explained. “Tamir is so well liked by the whole group, and Avi is in their thoughts and their prayers.
“We’re hoping he makes a recovery and even though Tamir isn’t here, the players were conscious they wanted to show they’re still thinking about him. It sums up the spirit and togetherness they have. We all hope he makes the recovery.”
Prior to Elmander’s goal, Bolton had been forced to cling onto the advantage secured by Taylor’s 40th minute goal that arose from their best move of the first half. A long clearance from Jussi Jaaskelainen was flicked on by Elmander and Taylor towards Chung-Yong Lee, who showed great composure to then tee up Taylor after rounding the keeper.
Earlier, West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie had spurned a great opportunity and the Nigerian was again in wasteful mood after the break when the visitors stepped up their efforts to avoid a seventh defeat in nine league games.
Midfielder Chris Brunt headed against the post from three yards and it was a combination of good fortune and excellent defending from Gary Cahill and Zat Knight that protected Bolton’s lead until Elmander created his own scoring chance with an excellent run and good finish.
West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo was again left to ruminate on his side’s weaknesses in crucial areas of the pitch.
“I can say it once again,” Di Mastteo admitted. “We are coming away again scratching our heads. We had more from the game - more chances and clearer chances - and we lost.
“It’s difficult and tough, but you get punished in the Premier League. You can’t have five or six chances and not score because goals change the momentum of games.
“We’re creating the chances, that means the team is healthy. We know we need to improve and hopefully we’ll be rewarded for what we’re producing because the performances are very good. We’re always very close to getting a point — or three — and hopefully we can make that step and get better.”
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