Fans, Doyle, performance - Ups and downs from Bolton Wanderers' loss to Rotherham United

Bolton Wanderers began 2022 with defeat as they suffered a 2-1 loss on the road against Rotherham.

Bolton put in a good performance at the New York Stadium and created decent chances and stood up to the pressure put on them by the Millers.

Michael Smith put the Millers ahead in the first half but Eoin Doyle - who is the subject of speculation that he might be leaving Bolton in the January transfer window - equalised for Wanderers shortly after.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt on Rotherham United loss, Eoin Doyle future and transfer latest

Smith headed the Millers in front after the break, but Wanderers could have got something out of the encounter as Harry Brockbank blazed over in stoppage time and Dapo Afolayan fired over from close range with the last kick of the game.

Here, we analyse the clash at the New York Stadium from a Wanderers perspective and looks at the ups and downs from the defeat.

Ups

Fans make unbelievable noise

If Bolton's away following make the same noise that they did yesterday at the New York Stadium, then they'll be up there with the most passionate in the EFL on the road in 2022.

Wanderers supporters have had to wait three weeks to next watch their team in action following the loss to Accrington Stanley and the subsequent postponements.

But the away support was vocal and passionate throughout the encounter against the Millers and backed their team through the Covid-19 impacted clash and roared their team on to almost claim a point on New Year's Day in Yorkshire.

Much improved performance from Accrington

The last performance three weeks ago against Stanley, particularly the second half, left much to be desired as Wanderers struggled to make an impact at the Wham Stadium.

Against the League One high fliers in the form of the Millers, Wanderers stood up to the aerial test which was put up to them in the first half and indeed had arguably the better goalscoring opportunities.

Wanderers tired after the break as the impact of their recovery from the club's recent Covid-19 outbreak took its toll, but still had opportunites at the end and could have taken a point in a much better all round showing

Eoin Doyle gives positive potential swansong

There is plenty of speculation right now surrounding Doyle's future with reports linking him with a move back to his native Ireland.

It remains to be seen if his showing at the New York Stadium proved to be his final time in a Bolton shirt, but if it is, then he will bow out on a personal high with a good performance.

The striker got Wanderers back into the game with his eighth goal of the season and worked hard as per usual.

Throughout the game, the travelling Wanderers fans chanted his name and the applause when he was taken off with 20 minutes left was reciprocated by the striker himself in what potentially could be his swansong.

Downs

Late chances go begging

Rotherham boss Paul Warne said after the game that it would not have been fair if Bolton had been able to come away with a point.

But Bolton could have done just that when Afolayan's injury time shot was parried into the path of Brockbank, who had time to react, but blazed the effort in the penalty box over.

That was one stoppage time chance go begging and Afolayan stabbed an even better opportunity over with the last kick of the game, collapsing to the pitch with his head to the ground, no doubt knowing how good an opportunity it was.

It's not the first time that missed chances have ended up costing Wanderers a share of the spoils this season.

Big refereeing call goes unanswered

Midway through the second half, a big call went against Wanderers when it so easily could have gone for them.

Afolayan was taken out by Rarmani Edmonds-Green and remained down on the ground afterwards, as referee Geoff Eltringham waved play on initially before the Wanderers man could receive attention.

Ian Evatt demonstrated his unhappiness with the decision to the referee and was rewarded with a yellow card - and had an understandable point after the game when he claimed it was a foul and arguably a red card as Edmonds-Green.

Like with late chances going missing, it's not the first time this season that a big call has gone against Wanderers.

2022 starts off with a loss

Despite the improved performance and scoring a goal on the road in League One for the first time since the end of September, Wanderers began the year with a defeat.

And it also means Wanderers have lost their last seven league games in a row now, with Bolton 16th in the League One table.

Wanderers will get stronger in the weeks to come with players returning and fresh signings made, but the form, particularly on the road, requires urgent improvement.