After a few scoops in The Western Approaches in Croxteth (where stars are born), we joined the Crocky Blues Bus in buoyant mood. After last week's win against Wolves the talk amongst the fans was that we would put a couple of wins together. Blind faith some call it. But nobody envisaged the shite we were served up at The Reebok. By far the worst game of the season. At least when we were bad at Blackburn, we had a few chances in the second half. Here we had none.

The game started as it finished with Bolton on top. Jay Jay Okocha crossed for Davies to beat Stubbsey, but headed over. Stubbs v Davies was one of many contests Everton lost on a bad day at the office. Kevin Davies would not be in anyone's top 10 Premiership strikers, in fact a lot of fans would put our 2 strikers ahead of him, but he gave Stubbsey a torrid time. He won headers & when he didn't, he won free kick after free kick, which only frustrated the Everton captain. He gave the Bolton players a target to aim for. Sadly Everton never had such a luxury. We may have beaten Wolves with the two little fellas up front, but they were awful. You need a big striker to hold the ball up, to challenge for headers, to make the their defenders think. Neither Rooney or Radzinski do that. If Ferguson or his fellow over 30 striker, Campbell are finished, then we need Chadwick back from loan or one bought in January.

Notlob continued to dominate and Stelios had a shot, which just went past the post. Everton were not in it. When I saw Campo in the team, I thought of the roasting, The Duke had given him last season at Goodison Park. That day he played centre half, unfortunately for us he was in midfield. He along with Okocha, and later on joined by Djorkaeff, passed the ball around with simplicity. A feat the Everton midfield find impossible to do. Linderoth, Gravesen, Carsley & Kilbane all tried, but failed miserably to inspire the fans. Killa did at least go past a man now & again. Sometimes with the ball.

Bolton took the lead when a Campo header was only punched away by Martyn to Frandsen, who headed home. Everton's only efforts of note in the first half, were both by Wayne Rooney. Firstly he sent an Unsworth cross wide of the post & then tried to chip the keeper. He did but it went way over the bar.

Half Time: Bolton 1, Everton 0.

Jimmy Mac came on at the break for Toby. Why he hadn't started the game was a mystery. The substitution had an immediate effect on the game. Bolton scored a second. With the prawn sandwich brigade & the piss eds still to take their seats for the second half, Gravesen failed to stop an attack & the ball broke to Djorkaeff. He shot. The ball took a deflection & beat Nige. 2-0 to notloB. Bolton had that cushion, and it showed in their play, as well as ours. We were now chasing the game. After 55minutes Moyesy brought on Franny Jeffers for Rooney. He wasn't best pleased. Nothing wrong with that. Moyesy needed to do something. Personally I would have left him on & took The Rad off. Both of the strikers had quiet games, but Rooney was a bit more fired up. The Rad was anonymous.

The game continued to be frustrating for the fans & players alike. Bolton continued to dominate & could have had a few more goals if their strikers had their shooting boots on. Everton's one effort of the half was a shot from Stubbsey, which went narrowly wide. Not once during the game did we make the Bolton keeper make a save. Nyarko came on for Gravesen, but never made an impression. Bolton kept possession & used their overlapping full backs well. We didn't. When we did. Unsey & The Hibbert put in awful crosses.

Picking a man of the match is impossible. Nobody played well, but we've got to pick one. So Kevin Kilbane it is. Send your "You've got to be joking" e-mails to sausage@bluekipper.com

Quotes

Moyesy says: "We were lacking in fight and commitment and whether we are at the top of the table or the bottom I can't tolerate that. Credit though to Bolton. They won the game and deservedly so. We've looked as though we have lacked spirit in a lot of away games this season. At home it has not been so it has not quite been so bad but away from home we have certainly struggled to find a way of playing and more importantly we have probably not been able to find a way for the players to go out there and give of their best."

Off The Ball

* Moyesy being told by the 4th official to stay inside the technical area loads of times, but completely ignoring him.

Team News            Last Season's Game

'Sandro Pistone, Lee Carsley and Scot Gemmill all made their comebacks in the rezzy's midweek victory against Wolves, but unfortunately this game comes a bit to early for them.Gary Naysmith is however added to Moyesy squad, and even though Dunc and the boss have patched things up, it is very unlikely the big Scot will be travelling to the Reebok, as his fitness has been called into question. Long term injury's stay the same with Dickie Wright, Watto and Davey Weir all still on the treatment table. Kevin Campbell is nearly back at full fitness, after his hamstring trouble, but he will not be chanced today.

Moyesy says: "We’ve got one or two back but the likes of Kevin Campbell won’t be available tomorrow. Gary Naysmith looks as if he’s going to be ok.Scot Gemmill and Lee Carsley got reserve games this week, Alessandro Pistone only got 45 minutes. We missed a lot of senior players in the last couple of games, players with a lot of appearances under their belt. We could do with them back for their experience. We’ve got a busy week coming up and it’s just a month away from the hectic Christmas time." (29/11/03)

Kippers Eleven To Start: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Yobo, Naysmith, Linderoth, Gravesen, McFadden, Kilbane, Rooney, Radzinski.