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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Bolton Wanderers player ratings in Cheltenham defeat as James Trafford great but others woeful

James Trafford

Called into action several times be it to make good low saves, rise high to gather crosses or to come and collect the ball. Bolton should be very thankful they have in goal. Took a heavy knock in the second half but sucked it up and played on, going on to make an incredible save from a powerful header but could do nothing for the goal. 8

Will Aimson

Aside from Bolton's brightest moment in the first half in which he got forward to set up a chance, Aimson was dreadful on the ball. On one occasion he passed it straight out of play under no pressure and another he needlessly prevented losing a throw-in and gave Cheltenham a good chance. Decent enough at the back but his wayward passing heaped so much pressure on the back line. Hooked on the hour. 3

Ricardo Santos

Off his usual composed best as he was hurried and harried by a relentless press. Remained a strong presence but had a difficult afternoon up against Dan Nlundulu. 6

ALSO READ: Cheltenham vs Bolton reaction

George Johnston

Another heroic display with brave blocks, tough tackles and vital interceptions in just the nick of time. Along with Trafford, Johnston played a massive role in keeping Bolton in the game in the first 45 minutes. He was also the only defender to maintain his composure on the ball in the face of heavy pressure. 7

Gethin Jones

Nowhere near as effective at right wing-back as he is at right-sided centre-back. Bolton really missed Bradley's pace and directness out on the right, with Jones not as spritely as the teenager. Had one good moment with Aimson but otherwise ineffective. 4

George Thomason

Worked tirelessly in the middle and helped stifle Cheltenham's attacks with scrappy tackling and neat distribution. A shame no one else was as capable as him. Booked after a coming together after being unhappy with a foul and replaced afterwards. 5

MJ Williams

Largely bypassed in the midfield and was not able to offer his usual protection of the defence in the face of repeated attacking waves. Booked for a tactical foul. Had a chance to play through Bakayoko late on but fluffed his lines with an under-hit pass and was weak when challenging Nlundulu in the build-up for the goal. 3

Jack Iredale

Like Jones, doesn't seem to be well suited to a wing-back position. Doesn't have the pace needed to really make an impact going forward and looked particularly leggy on the ball. 4

Kyle Dempsey

Was quiet but hardly his fault when the ball never found him higher up the pitch. The one moment he did get on the ball he squeezed a pass through to Bodvarsson but the striker was snuffed out. Made a crucial sliding tackle as Cheltenham were launching a dangerous counter. 5

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson

Could have perhaps battled harder when Dempsey smuggled the ball through to him and otherwise saw nothing of the ball. 4

Dion Charles

Charles got even less ammunition supplied to him in one of his quietest displays. Worked really hard and chased every ball, repeatedly coming deep into his own half to help out at the back. 5

Substitutes

Dapo Afolayan

Immediately made an impact by running at the Robins' defence and winning a corner. Pace and skill in the middle made Bolton a tad more threatening but had little to go off. 6

Kieran Sadlier

Lost the ball to set up the Cheltenham goal but can't take all the blame with no one offering an option. 3

Amadou Bakayoko

Put him self about well and offered presence up top but saw little of the ball. 4

Elias Kachunga

Couldn't get on the end of a loose ball in a battle with a defender. No other chances. 4

Aaron Morley

Some tidy passes but skied an effort in a good area. 5

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