Bolton Wanderers 2 Leeds United 2: match report
At the final whistle, an atmosphere of transience was tangible. While it is possible Leeds could have different owners very soon, Bolton might assess the position of their manager if consistency is not discovered. By Si Hughes, at the Reebok Stadium
At the final whistle, an atmosphere of transience was tangible. While it is possible Leeds could have different owners soon, Bolton might assess the position of their manager if consistency is not
It sounds punitive but Owen Coyle will be under pressure until Bolton return to the Premier League, if they ever do. The future is unclear.
Despite taking the lead and playing well, as soon as Leeds equalised Bolton withdrew, only to secure a draw with a second goal from a corner.
Anxiety is to be found across all corridors at The Reebok; most of it rests with Coyle who is expected by supporters to arrest a corkscrew of decline with a group of players that are too accustomed to not winning.
Coyle complained about penalty decisions afterwards, arguing that an unpunished foul on Keith Andrews means referees have missed five for his team so far this season. “The results will come,” he insisted. “Certainly the decisions can’t go on being as cruel as they have been.”
The story of Leeds should be a reminder of just how desperate it can get if problems are not addressed. The last time they visited this ground, relegation from the Premier League was made certain with a 4-1 defeat. Leeds have not returned to the top flight since and it got a lot worse before the first seeds of recovery were sewn.
Dissatisfaction amongst the fanbase remains under the ownership of Ken Bates, although his era could be at an end if a takeover saga finds a conclusion with interest from American and Saudi Arabian groups adding to the potential buyout of Bahraini based GFH Capital, who signed an exclusive agreement last week that could see the club sold for around £52 million.
GFH have offered the Leeds manager public backing so Neil Warnock can get on with his job and make interesting decisions like selecting El-Hadji Diouf as his captain against his former club “out of respect,” despite 18 months ago referring to the Senegalese as a “sewer rat.” Warnock has said before he was wrong about Diouf. Professionally, it has dawned after his weekend goalscoring performance at Bristol City that he is probably Leeds’ most influential player and mindful of the fact his contract runs until January. It is prudent to have him on side.
Diouf’s credentials were highlighted when he rescued Leeds at the end of a first half. Kevin Davies had opened the scoring with a header and Bolton should have had a lead of at least three by the time Diouf thrashed in a free-kick and 19 year-old Sam Byram glanced in a first league goal.
Bolton’s punishment for such profligacy became more acute after the break when Byram darted infield from the right and was brought down by Stephen Warnock. Luciano Becchio eased the penalty in with his left foot.
At the start of play, only six points separated first position in the Championship from 19th. Fortunes can shift quickly, as it did when captain Davies connected with Martin Petrov’s corner on the forehead to save a point.