IF there was ever an example of everyone at a club pulling together – on and off the field – we saw it at the Reebok on Saturday.
Not only did we see a magnificent advert for Premier League football from two of the so-called less glamourous teams, but we also saw what can happen when everyone at a club is united.
Even at 2-0 down I don’t think anyone lost the belief that they could get something out of the game.
It was obvious that everybody was pulling in the right direction.
The manager made three substitutions that kept the attacking momentum going, the players were absolutely brilliant and the fans were magnificent.
Anyone who has ever doubted that a crowd can actually be the “12th man” should have a good look at the influence the Bolton fans had on that performance and the result.
In all my time as fans liaison officer I have never felt as satisfied or as proud as I did at the weekend.
Last week I asked the supporters to come out in force and they turned up in their droves, got behind the team from first whistle to last and were at their most supportive when they were needed most.
I know it was appreciated by Owen Coyle and the players. In fact the gaffer was drooling over the quality of the support.
They still needed to deliver the goods because Blackpool are a much better team than people give them credit for and they really had their tails up when they went 2-0 up.
I know for a fact Coyley would have been furious to have conceded two goals from set-pieces, but he was delighted with the way the players fought back.
He set the tone himself when he made those three positive substitutions.
He really went for it with six forwards on the pitch at the end and it paid off. I was just a bit worried that, after scoring that goal in Ireland a couple of weeks ago, he might have chucked himself on!
They were two top-drawer goals. Martin Petrov’s strike was sensational (I couldn’t have hit it better myself) and that second goal summed up everything this Bolton team is about.
I was screaming for Ivan Klasnic to have a go himself then, suddenly, the ball is laid on for Mark Davies and the ball is in the net. Magnificent.
He’s a great kid, a very good player but he’s had to bide his time, waiting for his chance . . . and he took it with some style.
It takes a lot to fill Stuart Holden’s boots because he’s been amazing this year, but the kid did ever so well and he has really given Owen Coyle a selection problem.
It’s a nice problem to have, of course, because it tells him that he has a strong squad, which he will undoubtedly need as the season progresses.
There’s a lot of football still to be played and Coyley will be drilling it into his players, day in and day out, that they must not take their foot off the gas.
Momentum is so important and you have to say this Bolton team has got a good thing going.
The kids will be hoping to follow the first team’s lead tonight when they take on Crewe in the FA Youth Cup.
David Lee’s got the lads well prepared. They won’t be underestimating Crewe but they will be approaching the game with a lot of confidence.
Anyone interested in taking a look at the stars of the future might like to get down to the Reebok. The match kicks off at 7pm.
Finally, on a sad note, I’m sorry to report that Frank Partington – the chap who used to have the pie shop across from Burnden Park – passed away last week.
As I mentioned in a recent article when I learned he was poorly, Frank played a big part in our lives.
Every time one of us had a birthday, we bought the pies and cakes from Frank’s shop.
It all helped build the team spirit that was so special in those days and which we can see being replicated now.
I’ll be paying my respects at Frank’s funeral tomorrow and on behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to pass on my deepest sympathies to his family.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article