I made a rare visit to the Reebok Stadium this weekend to take in Bolton vs Wigan. My old man was in Mexico and the season ticket was available. There haven't been many dull games between Bolton and Wigan and despite a torrid season at the Reebok I looked forward to the game.
It didn't disappoint did it? Late drama, some good saves from the goalkeepers, a should-ve-been sending off and the softest of handbags at times - it was the sort of game you wouldn't mind our position in the league if we were engaged in this type of affair every week.
And we so nearly threw it away.
We were the better team overall for 85 mins and once we conceded the equaliser - out of relative nowhere - there was that horrible feeling of inevitability about Wigan having a chance to win it. I'd have been disappointed like crazy with a loss, especially with how much pride Wigan take in beating us.
Monday 31 March 2014
Raptors v Magic : The Big Dipper
Now that Europe has moved its clocks forward I lose my favourable tip-off times, but an 11pm UK time start in Orlando and a day off work on Monday gave me a rare chance to watch a live evening Raptors game. As it happened it turned out to be a Big Dipper of a roller coaster the like of which isn't in Disneyland.
I nearly called it a night at half time when the Raptors were well up, and I'd have slept pretty soundly. It was a fun first half with a good battle at the centre position and some good energy off the bench from Nando and Fields - Fields' big slam quite possibly the highlight:
http://www.nba.com/video/games/magic/2014/03/30/0021301096-tor-orl-play4.nba
From there on some sloppy defence, and some sloppy possessions from the two main point guards let the Magic back in and smell blood. There was a lot of relief at the end of the game I'm sure.
I don't know why Casey had so much difficulty re-inserting the successful bench unit when Lowry and Vasquez were struggling to much in possession and Salmons getting burned at the defensive end every time a defender pulled a move on him. With Landry you always get good movement, active hands and it seems as well a burst of pace compared with a tiring league.
I love seeing JV playing well too. Like many Raptors fans I think he's the future face of the franchise and am desperate to see him meet his potential. Vucevic is a tough match up on any night and a 20-9 return for the young center - including a rare floating hook! - was fun to see. I like the look of the Raptors when both he and Old Man Hayes are on the floor together - Hayes just seems to talk to him enough on the defensive end, helping him on positions - I think he can learn a lot from Chuck.
A fun game in hindsight, but those starters won't get any rest if they can't keep 20 point leads.
I nearly called it a night at half time when the Raptors were well up, and I'd have slept pretty soundly. It was a fun first half with a good battle at the centre position and some good energy off the bench from Nando and Fields - Fields' big slam quite possibly the highlight:
http://www.nba.com/video/games/magic/2014/03/30/0021301096-tor-orl-play4.nba
From there on some sloppy defence, and some sloppy possessions from the two main point guards let the Magic back in and smell blood. There was a lot of relief at the end of the game I'm sure.
I don't know why Casey had so much difficulty re-inserting the successful bench unit when Lowry and Vasquez were struggling to much in possession and Salmons getting burned at the defensive end every time a defender pulled a move on him. With Landry you always get good movement, active hands and it seems as well a burst of pace compared with a tiring league.
I love seeing JV playing well too. Like many Raptors fans I think he's the future face of the franchise and am desperate to see him meet his potential. Vucevic is a tough match up on any night and a 20-9 return for the young center - including a rare floating hook! - was fun to see. I like the look of the Raptors when both he and Old Man Hayes are on the floor together - Hayes just seems to talk to him enough on the defensive end, helping him on positions - I think he can learn a lot from Chuck.
A fun game in hindsight, but those starters won't get any rest if they can't keep 20 point leads.
Sunday 30 March 2014
Post 1 - the Intro
So - who am I, what is this blog about and what's the story behind the name?
On this blog you're likely to find ramblings about Bolton Wanderers, the Premier League, Toronto Raptors and the NBA. If that's your bag - good to have you along, and if not - you're hopelessly lost!
So I'm Lee and I'm from Bolton, England, currently living in Haarlem, North Holland. You'll find me either in Haarlem where I sleep, Amsterdam where I work, Bolton where my loved ones are or possibly on some form of transportation in between.
Bolton Wanderers is my hometown team and I had a season ticket for about half of my adult and youth life. I started supporting the team in Division 4 and have enjoyed the heights of UEFA Cup football. Haarlem Global Trotters as such is the Haarlem Bolton Wanderers Supporters Club. As far as I know, it's a club of one - and would love to hear from other Lancashire expats out there.
My second passion in basketball. For the last 6 years, since I started following the NBA again, my team has been the Toronto Raptors. So the Haarlem Global Trotters is as much a play on the words of the famous exhibition basketball team that tour the worlds arenas as it is tying in Bolton Wanderers.
Check back soon, I don't plan on waiting long til my next post.
On this blog you're likely to find ramblings about Bolton Wanderers, the Premier League, Toronto Raptors and the NBA. If that's your bag - good to have you along, and if not - you're hopelessly lost!
So I'm Lee and I'm from Bolton, England, currently living in Haarlem, North Holland. You'll find me either in Haarlem where I sleep, Amsterdam where I work, Bolton where my loved ones are or possibly on some form of transportation in between.
Bolton Wanderers is my hometown team and I had a season ticket for about half of my adult and youth life. I started supporting the team in Division 4 and have enjoyed the heights of UEFA Cup football. Haarlem Global Trotters as such is the Haarlem Bolton Wanderers Supporters Club. As far as I know, it's a club of one - and would love to hear from other Lancashire expats out there.
My second passion in basketball. For the last 6 years, since I started following the NBA again, my team has been the Toronto Raptors. So the Haarlem Global Trotters is as much a play on the words of the famous exhibition basketball team that tour the worlds arenas as it is tying in Bolton Wanderers.
Check back soon, I don't plan on waiting long til my next post.
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