Saturday 3rd February
After Joss had opened the door and I’d wheeled my bike in, I focussed on greeting ever toothier 
Kasey rather than looking at my prostrate brother. She, for her part, started grizzling as soon as I got too near and a tactical withdrawal was made.
Harry the Hornet was waving, Z Cars played, but there was no real fan participation until the players were lined up on the pitch. Bolton started well and 
we seemed to be standing off them at first but began to get closer and dominated the majority of the first half but to no effect. The Yellow Army in the Rookery was in excellent voice once we’d got our game together “Is that all you take away” to the sorry number of Bolton fans and my chant of “You are your brother’s bitch” at Nicolas Anelka (I’ve waited more than half a season to get that out) was helped along by Curly and a few others around us.
Hot chocolate break and with Charlton and West Ham losing, Wigan goalless and the Yellows in the ascendant, I was feeling hopeful. We are on 15 points and have played a game fewer than the Addicks and Irons who are on 20 each. On the 21st we play our game in hand against the Latics who started the day with 22. Forget the ManUÔ game, back to back home wins will restart our Premiership season.
Scottish international Gareth Williams debuted as substitute for the debutant Lee Williamson in the second half but after a good chance for us, Bolton slowly gained the upper hand. The Rookery, however, was completing its conversion into celebratory mode. The shout was transformed to “We’re the back row” and “We’re the front row over here” (“right/left side” away) but it’s the first time we’ve had it at home and Joss was pleased. A few shouts in and the middle of the stand joined in too, resulting in a three-part round. On the field, though, threat after threat resulted in a Bolton corner that Ben Foster fluffed a punch at, resulting in a shot from 9 yards for Anelka to whack through the bodies and in. We were straight in with “Yellow Army” but then Bolton slowed the game and frustration began to set in.
Five minutes after the goal Hameur Bouazza was inexplicably substituted (the people wanted Henderson off) and another ten later Steve Kabba made his home debut for Francis. We had 3 strikers on the pitch but when the ball dropped for a shooting opportunity for Will Hoskins, he passed it (poorly) to Kabba and nothing came of it. There had been and were groans and moans and shouts and catcalls. What had happened to Moses Ashikodi? Why was Henderson still on the pitch? Why buy these attackers if you’re not going to use them instead of someone who hasn’t scored all season? In the final minute, their goalie Jaaskelainen handled outside the box; we called for a red card, got a yellow and a wasted free kick. Many fans left early and the team were booed off.
I didn’t join in. The performance was poor but there was a lot of heart. Bolton are in fifth place and renowned for making it hard for teams much better than us to play. To expect us to win was too much, even after the recent victories. Although there is some understandable frustration at Betty’s selection policies, the booing will not help a team in bottom place in the league. It is like a mother insulting her special-needs son’s intelligence. It ain’t helping matters. Charlton and West Ham lost 1-0 too but Wigan won by the same score. There are now 10 points and an eight-goal difference between us and safety. If we are to stay up, our season has to start
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