Back from the game....

Pandemonium for the winner - brilliant scenes. I thought Hoops had f*cked it up as he seemed to miss the original control. Somehow managed to adjust and lift it in though - great finish after not doing much before that after he'd come on.

All the players ran down to celebrate in the corner. Bassong was absolutely loving it and got a ticking off by the ref. Tettey just lay on the floor flat out, exhausted! Tremendous celebrations at full time too. Ruddy really pumped up.

The game was frustrating for the most part. We started really brightly and had a few good chances (I think - hard to tell as attacking the far end!). Redmond and Wes looked bright and linked up well. Deserved the lead when it came although it was a fortunate deflection.

Bolton scored with their first real attack following some awful defending. We gave the ball away down the right, their winger put a really good ball in but then neither Martin or Bassong was marking le Fondre. We looked shaky for a spell after that. Le Fondre was causing problems as he was ghosting across the front line - nobody seemed to take responsibility for picking him up.

Second half Bolton seemed to have no ambition to win the match - really strange as they were at home with nothing to lose really. They wasted time from the off - pretty disgraceful in my opinion - have a go and try to win!!

We laid siege to their goal at times and had several half chances. I think Howson should have placed one in to the corner.. Dorrans and Jerome had decent chances too.

Grabban coming on changed the match - gave us a lot more impetus going forward. He immediately had a good run cutting in from the left and should have done better with the shot. Burst away from his marker again shortly afterwards too. Hooper didn't feature too much after coming on - was drifting off to the right hand side and had a few good link-up play moments but with no real goal threat (until the end!).

Risked everything towards the end searching for the winner and got our just rewards. I didn't think it was going to come but sneaked one in the end!!

Should have had a 3rd with Grabban clean through but he hit it straight at the keeper. A bit rusty.

Hoping I finish work on Tuesday early enough to be able to get over to Leeds. The players' spirit is sky high at the moment. Four cup finals to go!

Player Ratings:

Ruddy - 7
Whittaker - 6
Bassong - 7
Martin - 6
Olsson - 8
Tettey - 8
Howson - 7
Dorrans - 8
Hoolahan - 7
Redmond - 6
Jerome - 7

Grabban - 8
Hooper - 7
Bennett - 7

Posted By: JD3, Apr 11, 20:39:36