Bolton Wanderers thrash Oxford United: Key talking points

From the first whistle, the home side were on top, with Paris Maghoma seeing a 20-yard effort blocked by Elliott Moore within the opening sixty seconds.

The first goal became a matter of when, not if, after both Eoin Toal and Nathanael Ogbeta saw chances fail to find the back of the net.

When Ogbeta opened the scoring after 19 minutes, it was a surprise that Ian Evatt’s side had taken so long to nudge in front.

READ ALSO: Our player ratings after Oxford United trounced at Bolton Wanderers

We took a look at the main talking points from an embarrassing night for United.

Exposed down the flanks

Of the five goals conceded by the U’s, three of them came from poor play down the sides of their defence.

For the opener, the Trotters were able to play the ball from right to left with ease and little pressure from United.

Josh Dacres-Cogley pinched a loose ball, and played it short to Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, who played a sharp one-two with Aaron Collins, before slipping a pass across to George Thomason.

With Fin Stevens tucking in so narrow, Ogbeta was afforded plenty of space to rifle home.

While the first goal was poor from the U’s collectively, the second was a horror show from goalkeeper and defender.

Bolton skipper Ricardo Santos played a long ball into the left back area, and with Jamie Cumming charging out of his goal, he and Greg Leigh were involved in a calamitous mix-up, enabling Dacres-Cogley to poke home into an empty net.

And for the fourth goal, as brilliant as the play was in the lead-up to Maghoma sliding through an unmarked Ogbeta, serious questions need to be asked as to why the latter was unmarked in the first place.

Either way, the wing back was allowed cross to the back post, where Collins slid in.

Best starting XI and system

The starkest difference between the two sides arguably came from the tactical side of things.

Evatt’s team play a clear 3-1-4-2, with the emphasis for creativity coming from the wing backs.

Everyone seemed to know their roles, whereas even if there was a fully fit squad to choose from, would it be possible to know what United’s best starting XI is, or even what formation they would play?

The disparity in what personnel or system that U’s fans would choose highlights the problem Des Buckingham faces.

Too many players are on and off, and cases can be made for one system or another. It’s down to Buckingham to nail down his style now, and find something close to a strongest XI.

Some players need a break

That leads to the final point, which has been on the horizon for a while now. Some players need a rest.

Marcus McGuane is a shadow of the player who regularly bossed games at the beginning of the season, while Ruben Rodrigues has gone dangerously off the boil.

There’s also the argument that Mark Harris needs more support around him. Will Goodwin has had to be patient since joining in January, but maybe it’s time to play the two of them together?