Freezing and scrappy, both facts, three points for Leeds United the only important fact. In what was a poor game of football it took two substitutes to make a huge difference, Jack Clarke and Patrick Bamford showing how important it is that players make an impact when they come off the bench.
Player ratings
Baily Peacock-Farrell – 7 – Didn’t have much to do but came and collected more than his share as Bolton looked to put balls into the box wherever possible.
Jamie Shackleton – 7 – You can only judge defenders on how they did at keeping the opponents back and anything going forward is a bonus. Shackleton was steady and nothing really threatened him.
Pontus Jansson – 8 – Solid and dealt with everything that came into the box. Was decent on the ball at times and is in some very, very good form currently. If it wasn’t for the impact of the subs then would have been my man of the match.
Kalvin Phillips – 8 – Absolute revelation this season. He’s had spells in a Leeds shirt where he’s impressed in previous years but nothing like this. In my eyes it was a penalty for the challenge on Noone but we deserve some luck. Quality today.
Barry Douglas – 8 – I thought Douglas offered a threat going forward as well as being solid at the back. Had an influence on the game because the likes of Alioski and Baker who were meant to be creating were having shockers, which isn’t a shock.
Adam Forshaw – 8 – We controlled possession today, stats don’t always tell the story but if you have around 70% it means you’ve kept the ball well. Forshaw got caught once or twice but he also used it much better. I said before the game I wanted to see him go forward with it more and he tried more penetrating passes today. Best I’ve seen him for a while.
Mateusz Klich – 6 – Wasn’t great today but did get a couple of decent shots away and worked very hard. Would like to see him get beyond Roofe more, the striker was isolated today.
Lewis Baker – 3 – This was his chance today and I’m unsure if he’ll get another. Very, very poor.
Pablo Hernandez – 7 – Decent in patches but struggled to create, the movement wasn’t there for him to hit and although he did find it tough he came up with the key moment of class to play in Bamford for the goal.
Gjanni Alioski – 4 – Another performance where he didn’t add anything going forward whatsoever. A cross for Hernandez was about it, and even that was basic for any footballer.
Kemar Roofe – 5 – Through no fault of his own he didn’t get a chance today, in fact he hardly touched the ball. With Baker and Alioski two of your key suppliers you have little chance.
Subs
Jack Clarke – 8 – T72MOM – Changed the game, again! He needs to be starting games now. We had nothing going forward until he came on and he was popping up on the left and right, getting balls in and beating his man time and time again. What a talent.
Patrick Bamford – 8 – This was a game where it was a clear case of whoever gets that one clear-cut chance they have to score, because it will be the winner. He did that with a lovely finish, and his link-up play was impressive as well. What a return.
Aapo Halme – N/A
