As Owen Coyle watched his team file out against the defending champions Manchester United at the Reebok Stadium, he must have sworn softly to himself with the fixture. Whoever drew up the first four games of the Premiership did him no favors.
The first game against Queen Park Rangers on opening day was just what the doctor ordered for Coyle and his men. After a well deserved away performance, which saw his team run away with a 4-0 victory over the Premiership newcomers, Coyle braced himself for the tougher ride - Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Back to back defeats to Man City and Liverpool left Coyle wondering what would be of today's game. Surely, he must have felt they could come away with a point at home. As the game got underway, his captain Kevin Davis made his presence felt by upending Tom Cleverly in the 5th minute with a not so clever (no pun intended) tackle.
The tackle was certainly not the way Coyle had in mind to play, given his preference of moving the ball more smoothly in the post Alladyce/Mergson Bolton era. Before Coyle could process all that, the first sign of 'bad weather' appeared in a Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez goal. The sick feeling of yet another defeat was back.
If Chicharito's goal was Lightening, Thunder came in the form of Wayne Rooney in the 20th minute. Thereafter the sky broke and the 'rains' came down with yet another Rooney goal five minutes later.
Bolton were saved further misery as the half time whistle blew. Knowing Coyle, he probably gave the boys hell for 15 minutes in the dressing room. As play resumed, the 'sky' seem to clear, and perhaps the faint thoughts of a comeback lingered in Coyle's mind.
Lightening struck again in the 59th minute as Hernandez swooped in to clean up a deflected Michael Carrick shot on goal. Bolton responded instantly with Reo-Coker cracking a shot off the United bar. But the 'bad weather' continued for Coyle as he watched Wayne Rooney complete a hat trick in front of a full house at the Reebok Stadium.
Hours after the game, a mentally 'drenched' Owen Coyle is probably still wandering who drew up the Premier League fixtures this season.
Playing at home next week against Premiership new boys, Norwich City should provide his team some respite. I'm sure he would love to see the 'sun' shine for a change vs. another 'rain' of goals on his Club.
No comments:
Post a Comment