COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Bolton (H)

By Ken Buckley   ::  05/01/2012 A rainy gale swept night saw Everton produce their worst performance of the season if not for many a year. The crowd was down to just under 30.000 and will get lower if things don?t improve. Some mitigating circumstances were the injuries to Jags, Osman and Rodwell but all that that really showed was how far off a decent squad we are for a club with eyes on European positions. Yes the wind ruined the game somewhat but that was the same for both teams. Ours floundered whilst theirs kept it low and simple and triumphed.

Landon Donovan was back in harness and by the end of the game must have wondered what he had let himself in for as this was nothing like the Everton he last played for. Right at the start he showed what he was capable of and won a free kick in a dangerous area that Baines whipped in but Stracqualursi appeared to let it hit him and go out.

For the rest of the night we seemed to ignore Donovan and suffered for it. He did get a couple of runs one of which saw Stracqualursi slice wide. The wind was playing havoc which made watching a chore and a boring one at that. The wind did cause Knight to miss-head to Saha who sliced away well off target. The Bolton right back ventured forward and hit the side netting then Eagles floated in a wind assisted cross which Jags miss-headed toward his own goal and Howard did well to tip over.

Then at last Donovan was given a pass that he controlled, went passed two defenders and fed Osman who curled just wide of the far post. Osman had a drive just wide but the ball was played upfield and Jags got in a mess with Hibbert by shouting for the ball when really it was Hibbert?s, Hibbert duly left it and Ngog got quickly in and shot but Jags made a block tackle that left him on the turf. He did get up without the medic?s being called on but it was only moments when he went down, taken off as he showed great frustration and that may be him out for a while. He was replaced by Rodwell who went to mid-field and Heitinga to centre-back.

The half ended with Ngog running on to a ball down the middle and got in a poke that Howard tipped over. He wasn?t challenged which infuriated the gathered faithful.

Half-time and no one was happy with our performance but some light relief was provided when a man came onto the pitch and proposed to a Lady who was shown on the big screen. In keeping with our uncertain performance, it wasn?t clear whether she accepted or not... Happy endings were not on the Goodison agenda tonight but I hope it works out for them.

Second half started with attacks for both sides, first Rodwell drove wide of the target then Bolton had a great chance when a shot from no more than 10yds was deflected away by the leg of our keeper. After no more than 10mins of the second half Osman had to come off and was replaced by Gueye. The game was dire but Bolton were looking by far the better organised and a good move saw Ngog bring a diving save from Howard.

We then had more misery when Rodwell made a tackle on half way then signalled to the bench to come off, the manager seemed apoplectic but off he went and replaced by Cahill. Bolton attacked down the middle but Distin saw it off and guided the ball back to Howard who launched a kick upfield which bounced some 25yds out, got caught on the wind and cleared the keeper and on into the net. Pandemonium broke out and a rousing rendition of "USA! USA!" broke out.

We were ahead and at home just after the hour mark against the leagues very bottom team. We had used all our subs so it was a case of don?t do anything silly and see it out. What did we do? Panic every time the ball got near our box and to such an extent that within 5mins it was 1-1 when we panicked and thrashed about until Ngog slotted home after what looked like a pass from Saha!

Frustration for the fans and the game got even worse as a spectacle as we could not seem to put two passes together although we did pass well to the opposition which was infuriating the faithful. On 80mins we were all at sea again in our own box. Eagles went passed Baines far too easily and found the Bolton Cahill who slotted with aplomb. You could have heard a pin drop as far as our crowd was concerned. What made it worse was you could see it coming such was the disorganisation within our ranks. Players really did themselves no justice tonight and it was pitiful at times to see top pro?s so sterile in thought and deed.

Just before the end we did get a free kick in a dangerous area. Baines stepped up and hit the bar and a melee inside the area ensued but nothing came of it which just about summed up our night as the whistle sounded.

MotM ---- Unable to nominate.

Overall a match to forget. It summed up every ill that has been noted about our club and the sooner the 24/7 search for the right buyer comes to fruition the better. Until that time we will have to soldier on and go with what we have got and suffer in times of injury and suspension and maybe have some joy when all our better players are fit and well. With the injuries we already have and the ones sustained tonight it will be interesting to see what team can be cobbled together for Saturday and indeed how will we fare against a Blue Square non league team?

Very frustrated tonight but things can only get better so see you Sat for another nail biter!
UP THE BLUES

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