Fans Around The Country: Bolton-based Lads fan Jonathan reflects on his day out in Fleetwood

RR - So Jonathan, reflecting on the game how do you feel about the performance and the result? What were your highlights and lowlights in terms of both aspects?

JB - Overall, the performance was fine for most parts. We looked in control of the game and not for a second did I think we were going to chuck the lead away. We did look shaky at the back when it came to set pieces. Also, Winchester got caught out a few times and, Bailey Wright… well the less I say about him the better. He was woeful.

RR - Who was your player of the match? Who do you think has the most pressure on his SAFC place given the performance?

JB - I was asked this by some lads after the game when leaving the stadium, and I thought the whole team played well. O’Nien played well and Hoffmann pulled off some brilliant saves, but I’d give it to the Loch Ness Drogba, who got his goal and led from the front very well. Bailey Wright though was horrendous at the back. Hopefully Tom will be fit for Saturday against Bolton.

Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images

RR - Ignoring the result (which we all want to given what happened), how was your experience in your first away game of the season?

JB - It was fantastic and a great day all round. We were late by twenty minutes because we didn’t leave the pub till 2.10pm, and got stuck in traffic in Blackpool!

RR - We have a lot of youths trying to cement a slot team, and a number of new faces too. Who from the youth/newer signings collective impressed you most? Is anyone at risk of being dropped from the starting 11?

JB - Callum Doyle has been my standout player from the young lads that we’ve got on loan. Dan Neil and Embo have also been class so far this season, but both were quiet on Saturday. I would like to see Dajaku have a runout on Tuesday, and maybe give Gooch or Geads a rest.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

RR - What did you think of the strategy/tactics employed by Johnson, including our use of subs? We could (and probably should) have got more from the game - what would you have done to achieve that?

JB - I have no problems with the way Johnson set up the lads. We controlled most parts of the game. I do think we need to pass the ball around a lot quicker though, in my opinion. I think we can be slow on the ball and with passing.

I also believe players need to make more effort to make space for the pass, because when Doyle or anyone in the back 4 had the ball, they didn’t really have any options. The pressing needs work for me as well. There were times during that game when we’d press but wouldn’t go as a team and only Stewart would go by himself, or only two would go. Really needs working on in my view. I would have taken Wright off for Alves as well, because he wasn’t having a good day at the office.

RR - What did you think of the opposition and how they approached the game? Are they really turning things around since their poor start, or will they drop off again maybe? Did they deserve what they got?

JB - I didn’t think they were that good in all honesty, and I could see them finishing in the bottom half this season.

RR - What do you think of our chances of automatic promotion at the end of the season after those dropped points and what you saw of our away play?

JB - We’ll be fine. Going up in the autos.

Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images

RR - Any other thoughts you’d like to share before our cup game on Tuesday, and our next home game at the weekend?

JB - Just, please don’t lose lads against Bolton.

I won’t hear the end of it when I go into work!

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Many thanks to Jonathan for his input before and after the game. All the best to SAFC in the cup and league games to come, and Haway the Lads!

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