BWFC v Wigan Saturday 4th November 2006

Well what do you know. We just can't seem to get the better of the pie eaters. And today was no exception. Big Sam wasn't pleased. A Stelios dodgy offside and an Anelak blast over the bar cost us dear. Come on Nic, get yet finger out.

Lee McCulloch stepped off the bench and handed Wigan their second away win on the trot. The Scotland striker took advantage of his chance in the 79th minute, after replacing the injured Pesky Heskey. We were left to reflect on a glaring miss by Nicolas Anelka in the 11th minute which could have changed the face of the game. Defender Andy Webster lost possession to El-Hadji Diouf, who picked out Anelka. The Frenchman had only goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to beat and looked set to score his first goal in the top flight for Bolton. However, the £8million buy showed a lack of confidence in sending his effort into the stand.

Big Same had mentioned in his programme notes the need for his team to improve their scoring ratio. There is no doubt he would have been disappointed at Anelka's effort. Kirkland could only push away an inswinging free-kick from Speedo in the 20th minute, but Davo was penalised for his challenge on the goalkeeper. Kirkland was left in some discomfort but was able to continue between the posts as John Filan warmed up as a precaution. Bolton stepped up the pressure, and Diouf cut in from the left in the 26th minute only to fire his effort over the bar. Two minutes later Anelka failed to test Kirkland after a good build-up involving Stelios Giannakopoulos and Davo.

Pesky Heskey then went off and Paul Jewell was forced to make another change in the 33rd minute when Gary Teale hobbled off and David Cotterill was introduced. Henrik Pedersen joined up with the attack in the 36th minute but failed to test Kirkland with his snap shot from inside the area. Davo was winning the physical battle at this stage with former Hearts star Webster, who was making only his second start for the club. Dioufy and Anelka were also covering a lot of ground in an unsuccessful attempt to make the breakthrough before half-time. Diouf was sent tumbling to the ground by Kevin Kilbane, the Wigan midfielder booked in the 49th minute. However, Davies nearly put Bolton ahead in the 53rd minute when he got on the end of a corner from Speed only to flick his header wide.

Cotterill, who arrived at Wig from Bristol City for £2million in August, was looking bright on the right flank. The 18-year-old forward won a free-kick off Speed in the 66th minute. However, Denny Landzaat succeeded only in sending his effort into the arms of Jussi. The pie eaters were beginning to win a lot more possession. Full-back Leighton Baines strode forward but sent his shot from distance high over the bar. Davies was replaced by Ricardo Vaz Te in the 74th minute, after putting in a solid shift without any reward. Wigan made the breakthrough after a flowing move. Camara set the ball rolling with a clever back heel, and Kilbane pounced on it. He released McCulloch, and the Scotland striker fired a shot beyond Jaaskelainen and into the corner.

We almost responded in stoppage time only for Abdoulaye Faye to find the wrong side of the post with his effort. The fans showed their disapproval at the end after seeing their team defeated for the second week in a row. Let's hope we can pick up next week having had this season's dodgy run. If that is the case we can count our chickens. If we lose next week.... well let's not even go there.

Stelios Giannakopoulos was flagged offside after latching onto a Kevin Davies ball over the top. Television replays showed the Greek international was level and Allardyce was not happy that the decision went against us. "The offside goal was a goal as you look at it but isn't a goal because the assistant referee has disallowed it" Big Sam ranted to Sky Sports. "When you see it, it's clear that it looks like he's got it horribly wrong because it looks like he's given Dioufy offside who in the new regulations is nowhere near the ball. I think we paid a heavy price because there was very little between the two sides and we gave away a very silly goal which we shouldn't have given away."

Watch out for our feature - Derek Johnstone's column. If you've never heard of Derek then he is Rangers all time highest scorer having played for teams including Chelsea. Derek has been a long time admirer of Big Sam. That might take our minds off our third loss on the bounce. Bollocks.

Attendance 21,255   Ref Mark Clattenberg - don't have the linesman's name...........

Match report by the Editor  (who really fucking definitely can't be arsed writing them when we lose!)

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