Bolton Wanderers looked the real deal on Saturday with an impressive 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town. They gave a performance which showed why they are many people’s predicted favourites to win promotion to the Championship this season, but the strike partnership of Dion Charles and Victor Adeboyejo stood out as by far and away the best front-two in the entire division.
Northern Irishman Charles and Nigerian Adeboyejo were the stand-out performers in the Bolton side on Saturday, which wreaked havoc at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium. The game and the three points were wrapped up in the first-half in a devastating 35 minute spell, with Charles scoring twice and an unfortunate own goal from right wing-back Liam Smith making it 3-0 on the day and two wins from two for the Trotters as they sit top of League One.
Charles was clinical with his finishing, but Adeboyejo for me was the stand-out. He terrorised the Robins back three with his devastating pace, and if you get the chance to see it, it was his gorgeous flicked pass which split the Cheltenham defence open for Charles to run through and slot past his Northern Ireland international teammate Luke Southwood in the Cheltenham goal.
The former Burton Albion striker also won the free-kick which led to Bolton’s second goal, twisting and turning away from Curtis Davies before the defender rashly took out the attacker. It was a performance which I would best describe as a rabbit in headlights display from the usually competent and experienced defender.
The link-up between both strikers was sublime throughout, finding each other with their passes every-time, whilst Adeboyejo’s speed and running down the channels opened up the possibility of Bolton scoring every-time they came forward. Cheltenham had no answer.
I think most Cheltenham fans would agree that getting a point against Bolton would have been a welcome result and a decent point before kick-off. By the time the 35th minute came around, certain sections of the support were already leaving, whilst most were hoping that it wasn’t going to be an afternoon where Bolton would score with every attack. Cheltenham were unable to offer anything going forward throughout the game, which is a massive concern two games into the new season.
Nevertheless, after what I saw from both Adeboyejo and Charles on Saturday, it is clear to me that they might just be the best front two out of all the teams in League One – Charles with his finishing ability and link-up play, as well as an ability to shrug off challenges and keep hold of the ball. Whilst, Adeboyejo has the ability to create chances out of nothing, and can terrify defences with his electrifying pace which was shown to brilliant effect against the Robins.
Writer’s View
Watching two exceptional strikers at this level tear apart Cheltenham in just 35 minutes was horrifying as a Cheltenham fan watching the game, but as a neutral it was a complete performance from both Charles and Adeboyejo. Both forwards have the capability of firing Wanderers to the Championship, and if they continue to play like they did against Cheltenham week in week out, they will terrorise a lot more defences in League One that’s for sure.
