Bolton (a); The Review

Biggest positive

Easy to say in hindsight but after our midweek setback, this was probably the ideal fixture to have – away from the pressure of a home crowd, against a very poor team who were there for the taking. And that we did, with a first-half performance in which we simply cut through them again and again, and would have been even further clear at the break were it not for Remi Matthews. So that’s City back in business, another game down, and the extremely welcome sight of Mo ‘Metronome’ Leitner making 37 passes in his 11 minutes.

Weekend whinge

It would be nice to score a penalty again at some point, but my theory is that Kenny McLean missed on purpose because a successful spot-kick is boring and would have ruined our aesthetic in this match of only scoring artisan-crafted goals. That’s true commitment to the art of beautiful football, well done everyone.

Moment of the match

Don’t make me choose my favourite of the goals – although there’s always something magical about those two seconds of absolute stillness while a hushed crowd watch and wait to see if a delicate lob over an onrushing goalkeeper is going to clear the bar, or bounce in. Quick mention for Bolton’s best moment of the match, which was a shot that went out for a throw-in.

Random star performer(s)

Extremely obvious opinion klaxon, but on the day that he went clear at the top of the Championship goalscoring chart it has to be Teemu Pukki, contributing an incredible no-look reverse assist for Marco Stiepermann and, of course, two superb goals to make it eight in his last six games.

There was some chat recently about how many of his goals are one-touch finishes, but his first here saw him take two touches on the run, cut inside and give Matthews the eyes for a deceptive near-post blow, while the second was a takedown of a high dropping ball that Emi would have been proud of, before a deliciously-weighted lob.

Teemu Pukki is incredible, the fact we got him on a FREE TRANSFER is absolutely hilarious, and I wish he’d taken that penalty.

Farke watch

A four-star performance to round off the week’s four-star hotel getaway. After he got us all worried on Friday with an injury update that conjured images of a field hospital in the function room, Emi and Stiepi turned out to be just fine, and Bolton’s lack of resistance meant the morning’s walk around the hotel grounds was probably more strenuous than the match itself. But living out of a suitcase can grind you down, so no doubt on Saturday evening Daniel and his troops were more than happy to pack up their big plates and head for home.

Atmosphere rating

A pleasant change for the away fans to be close to the action after being forced into the distant and considerably more expensive upper tier for last season’s visit, and a good turnout of 1,561 for what was, for many of us, a second 400-mile round trip within the space of four days. It became very quickly evident that this match was not going to be any kind of contest, which perhaps diluted the atmosphere in both the home and away sections. But there are worse problems to have, and the players and Farke got another rousing reception as they took their bow at the end.

Summary

It feels at times like this team have cameras in the back of their heads, such is their ability to pass and move around each other with barely a glance. Yes, Bolton neither put up a fight nor threatened our goal, but this was an afternoon to restore the confidence of even the most angst-ridden of City fans – and it was beautiful to watch.