2012/13 month-by-month - Part two

November, December and January reviewed

After nine months, 50 games, 19 wins and 75 goals, Wanderers’ npower Championship season is over. Here's part two of our look back at the recent campaign.

NOVEMBER

A new month and the start of a new era under the stewardship of Dougie Freedman began in November. The new boss was thrown right in at the deep end with a home game against champions-in-waiting Cardiff City, but the ‘new manager syndrome’ certainly had the desired effect as goals from Martin Petrov and David Ngog secured a 2-1 win for the Wanderers.

A late, late equaliser from Ngog rescued a point away at Brighton in a frantic encounter with Gus Poyet’s side and Kevin Davies struck early to set the tone for the win against Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers in the final game of the month.

It was solid first few weeks for Freedman at the helm, as the Whites finished unbeaten in the six matches they played, drawing four and winning two, a post-war record for a new Wanderers manager. It was a sign of consistency the fans had been looking for and were now hoping the team could push on and start turning one point into three on a more regular basis.

188BET Player of the Month: Kevin Davies

DECEMBER

The busy Christmas period can be as unforgiving as any part of the season and for Bolton it was not the most festive periods in recent memory.

An inconsistent December saw Bolton remain in the bottom half after collecting seven points from a possible 18.

Freedman’s unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of Ipswich Town. After taking the lead through Mark Davies inside the opening 10 minutes, Wanderers could not add to their advantage and an injury-time winner from Michael Chopra snatched the points away from the Whites.

The final game of 2012 ended on a high. Chung-Yong Lee scoring a wonderful solo goal to set the home side on their way to a 3-1 win against Birmingham City.

188BET Player of the Month: Jay Spearing

JANUARY
Lots of new faces arrived at the Reebok Stadium as Dougie Freedman started to implement his style and philosophy on the club. Six new players joined during the January transfer window, some better known than others. Craig Davies joined from Barnsley and Craig Dawson arrived on loan from West Brom along with Cian Bolger, Jan Gregus, Steve De Ridder and Medo Kamara.

Sunderland were the visitors for the third round of the FA Cup but the Wanderers faithful would have to make the trip to the north-east to witness a special upset.

After a 2-2 draw at the Reebok, Marvin Sordell was the hero at the Stadium of Light with two goals to set up a fourth-round tie with Everton. Unfortunately the Toffees proved too strong for Bolton and ended the month out of the cup.

188BET Player of the Month: Marvin Sordell
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