Bolton 2 Walsall 1 – Player ratings
Following Walsall's 2-1 loss away at Bolton, Liam Keen rates the Saddlers players on their performance.
Liam Roberts - 6
The goalkeeper had little to do for 45 minutes and made some good saves in the second half. He was unfortunate to concede the first and could do nothing about the penalty.
Cameron Norman - 7
A solid display from the wing-back who offered a lot going forward when Walsall were on top. He’s fighting alone at times.
Hayden White - 4
After the first half White was, perhaps, on course for his best Walsall performance and then got himself sent off. It was needless. You cannot raise your hands in modern football and the defender let his team down.
James Clarke - 6
Clarke adds composure and guile to the Walsall defence and did well. He needed to react quicker for the first Bolton goal, however.
Mat Sadler - 5
It was not a bad overall performance from Sadler, but his poor tackle lost Walsall any points when he gave away the penalty. Having played so much football recently he looked laboured.
Max Melbourne - 6
A decent performance from Melbourne who rarely has a bad game. Nothing spectacular, yet, but he’s growing in confidence and consistency.
Sam Perry - 7
A goal to be proud of, particularly as it was his first senior strike, and Perry also put in a fairly good performance. He was slightly too adventurous with some of his passes but overall his play was tidy and composed.
Liam Kinsella - 6
Kinsella rarely has a bad game, and this was not one of them, but he also did not have his usual influence. He is now held to a high standard after his performances this season and he did not reach those heights against Bolton. He allowed the game to pass him by at times.
Josh Gordon - 5
A steady showing, with the usual hard work, but little end product. Gordon has not looked the same player since his injury, for the most part, and although he linked up well at times there is not the same edge to his game. He needs to find it again.
Emmanuel Osadebe - 7
Osadebe had a good first half and looked dangerous going forward. He also delivered some handy set pieces and was at the heart of Walsall’s play. In the second half he was largely anonymous, but so were his team-mates.
Caolan Lavery - 6
Similar to Gordon but with slightly more involvement, Lavery worked hard but could not find that final pass or shot. He is largely starved of chances and all strikers need them to score.
Substitutes
Callum Cockerill-Mollett (for Gordon, 77), Alfie Bates (for Sadler, 88), Wes McDonald (for Osadebe, 88), Derick Osei Yaw (for Lavery, 88).
Subs not used: Rose, Sinclair, Wright.
