Bolton Wanderers crashed out of the FA Cup in the first round for the second successive season yesterday, going down 3-2 to Crewe Alexandra.
Mikael Mandron opened the scoring for the visitors, but the Trotters fought back though Nathan Delfouneso. It remained deadlocked at 1-1 until 20 minutes were left on the clock when Oliver Finney restored the League One side’s lead.
Crewe swapped divisions with Bolton at the end of last season and they confirmed their cup win with 15 minutes remaining, Charlie Kirk nodded home the third to ensure safe passage. Bolton weren’t quite done though, Nathan Delfouneso netted Bolton’s second three minutes later to set up a nervy finish.
Three goals in eight minutes gave fans something to cheer on both sides, but the remaining time stayed goalless, meaning Crewe end a run of three defeats on the spin and progress to the next round.
After the game, beleaguered Trotters’ boss Ian Evatt admitted his side ‘played well in spells’ but were undone by their ‘soft underbelly’. He’s finding life at the University of Bolton Stadium tough right now, with just two wins from 15 matches. They are 20th in League Two and out of all three cups.
That’s not the situation Trotters fans thought they’d find themselves in after successive relegations, and they have much clearer opinions on exactly what the problem is, and what the ‘soft underbelly’ the manager speaks of is caused by, as you’ll see below.
Have you tried our Bolton player quiz?
| [freshpress-quiz id=”13759″] |
We can see it other people who don't support the club can see it answer is drop crellin. Baptiste. White and don't have comley on bench. Play tutte forever and we be much better. Oh and change the dam formation please 442 or 433. Had to be said. There feel better now
— Joe 90 (@tonyjoe90) November 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/bwfcmark7/status/1325167266607095809
Yeah, soft underbelly being, Crellin, White, Baptise and Gordon, also the system is clearly not working, change things before it's too late!!!
— Trefor Jones (@TreforJones11) November 7, 2020
We had the U18’s playing better football in league 1 than what these lads are doing in league 2. King-Harmes played better than both wingers. Can we get him back from his loan?
— smithy (@Ernie07592781) November 7, 2020
We are out of all cup comps without winning a game and we sit 20th in league 2…I’d say we have more than a soft underbelly Ian
— Heaton White (@WhiteHeaton) November 7, 2020
You ain't up for this job only won 2 games thats q piss take a loss against Salford and I think your bags should be packed not good enough !!!
— Dayle Green (@Dayle14546531) November 7, 2020
For god’s sake. You were a centre half! Stop trying to be clever & teach the defenders to head it and kick it. Go from there.
— Ian Lucas (@Mishlikefammal) November 7, 2020
