Trotters show spirit but Duff has last word
Fulham 1 Bolton Wanderers 1
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Your support makes all the difference.Sometimes it works when a manager decides to have a cathartic rant about a few players, although in Bolton's case the final verdict is not out just yet. Gary Megson had a go at some unnamed "malcontents" in his squad this week, players who are not getting the games they feel they deserve.
Given that the Trotters had lost three matches in a row prior to this draw, those unhappy men could be forgiven for thinking they were worth a go instead of the incumbents. A point at Craven Cottage – they have not won there in the Premier League in nine attempts – will probably see those exiled players' frustrations continue. They were only 15 minutes away from winning.
Megson, the Bolton manager, has been backtracking since his outburst and tried to further repair the damage last night. He said: "There's no problem with the spirit and I would never suggest that was an issue."
Yet his criticisms had some sort of galvanising effect on the team he did pick, if you just go on bookings. They picked up six yellow cards, which means an instant fine from the FA for failing to control their players, but the £20,000 penalty will be worth it if this point ensures Bolton's safety in May. As it is they stay in the relegation zone.
Ivan Klasnic is on a season-long loan from Nantes, but is better known for having had two kidney transplants – the second from his father succeeded where the first from his mother failed – and remaining a professional footballer.
He has not been a huge hit, with two goals, although that keeps him on a par with the rest of his team-mates this season, with the exception of Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Finnish goalkeeper, however, was unable to keep out Damien Duff's equaliser, after the hosts' best move that saw Zoltan Gera find Erik Nevland. He picked out Duff's run and the Ireland winger shot through a thicket of three players into the far corner.
Bolton had survived two scares before Klasnic's strike after 35 minutes. Gretar Steinsson came to the rescue on both occasions, first when Jonathan Greening's toe poke was cleared off the line by the Iceland defender and then when Nevland was poised to shoot. They used that dogged spirit to their advantage as they took the lead with their first attempt on goal as the Croatia striker turned his marker and shot low past Mark Schwarzer.
Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, had mixed feelings about finishing with a point even after an arduous seven days. He said: "I was a bit disappointed with their goal but we attacked the situation in the second half.
"It was our third game in a week and that is never an easy task. I was really pleased we didn't lose this."
Attendance: 23,554
Referee: S Bennett
Man of the match: Greening
Match rating: 4/10
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