Bolton v Brentford player ratings

Brentford were held to a 1-1 draw by Championship basement club Bolton on Monday, with new head coach Dean Smith looking on. Here’s how we rated the players in Lee Carsley’s final game in charge.

David Button: 8
The highlights of another very good display between the posts were his excellent saves, in either half, to deny Shola Ameobi. The first was from distance, the second from point-blank range – both vital to the cause.

Nico Yennaris: 6
A mixed display. Sometimes he allowed players to drift past him too easily but at other times he was alert to the danger, and also got forward well.

Jack O’Connell: 8
Came in for the suspended Harlee Dean and did not look out of place in only his second Championship start. Did well against two tricky customers in Shola Ameobi and Gary Madine and got his head in the right places.

James Tarkowski: 8
Came through an early scare, when his short backpass almost led to a Bolton chance, to put in an otherwise excellent display, capped by his header off the line to deny Liam Feeney.

Jake Bidwell: 7
Given problems by the lively Feeney – who was a non-League player with Hayes eight years ago – but support the attack well, including almost getting his first Bees goal with a header that went wide.

Alan McCormack: 6
Took up some good positions but lacked poise on the ball and as a result was not as effective as he can be.

Toumani Diagouraga: 7
Took a heavy whack from Mark Davies, who might have been lucky to stay on the pitch as replays showed he went over the ball. But he recovered and was a very reliable performer in the middle of the park.

Ryan Woods: 6
Showed some glimpses of what he can do, but this wasn’t his best night overall. Replaced midway through the second half by Sergi Canos.

Alan Judge: 7
His movement and lay-off created the goal for Swift and he was involved in several other chances in the first half. Was less influential after the break and was taken off in the final 10 minutes for Sam Saunders.

John Swift: 7
A really well-taken goal looked to have set Brentford on their way and he could have had a second but for a smart stop by Ben Amos. Ended the first half being booked for diving and didn’t have the same cutting edge after the break.

Lasse Vibe: 6
Got himself into good positions but couldn’t apply the finishing touch, most notably in a one-on-one in the first half. Worked hard though.

Sergi Canos: 6
Came on midway through the first half and tried to be a nuisance in the final third, though didn’t have the same impact as in previous cameos.