Bolton stroll to victory

‘People in certain areas have to look at themselves because we did not do enough to stop it.’

That was Kevin Ball’s verdict after yet another defeat today, this time at the hands of Sam Allardyce’s Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Yet that quote could apply for the whole of this season.

Ball began with a defensive formation, 4-5-1, with Kyle alone upfront. Why, when we have nothing to lose in the remainder of this season, we continue to play such a negative game is beyond me and many other Sunderland fans.

We are definitely going down, we are more than likely going to lose our remaining games, why don’t we make some sort of attempt to play some decent attacking football?

Regardless of this, Ball’s plan was going just as he wanted it at half time as Sunderland held their opposition 0-0 at the break, largely thanks to Kelvin Davis who did well to deny Davies, Nolan and Vaz Te.

Tommy Miller came the closest for Sunderland but his shot was well saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The second half was only 2 minutes old when Kevin Davies scored the opener, beating Danny Collins to the ball and heading home Stelios’ corner for his fifth goal of the season, and Bolton’s 300th in the Premier League.

Despite being behind, the Wearsiders continued in their defensive approach and created very little in terms of attacking chances, with some of Ball’s substitutions puzzling and ineffective.

A second Bolton goal was on the cards with Speed and Davies guilty of missing guilt-edged chances. Kevin Nolan eventually did double the home side’s lead, after Kelvin Davis somehow managed to keep out a Kevin Davies header; Nolan was on hand to finish off the rebound.

Speed nearly made it 3 with a well struck free kick minutes later but once again Davis was on hand to keep it out with a fingertip save.

The clear out has begun with Andy Gray’s move to Burnley, and Ball has warned that many are playing for their futures. Not for the first time this season, Sunderland did not play like they were.