"Top of the League," roared the front page of the Bolton Evening News on Monday. And, judging by the queues snaking round the Nat Lofthouse stand, Saturday's 5-0 win at Filbert Street had provoked a rare feeling for Bolton fans at this level: optimism.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce decided to stick with the team that thrashed Leicester. With Per Frandsen, Kevin Nolan and Michael Ricketts all finding the target, new £600,000 signing Henrik Pedersen had to settle for a place on the bench.
Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren named Brian Deane in the starting line-up after the 4-0 defeat by Arsenal with Dean Windass one of the substitutes. With Alen Boksic ruled out with a calf injury, Hamilton Ricard was also recalled to the side.
The opening exchanges reflected Bolton's optimism. Allardyce's willing but limited squad were certainly not afflicted by stage-fright. The promoted side play decent football and their early exuberance should have been rewarded when Simon Charlton's measured pass sent Ricketts behind the Middlesbrough defence.
It was a clear-cut opportunity but Ricketts, usually so poised in one-on-one situations, dithered at the crucial moment and Gareth Southgate made a fine recovery tackle inside the penalty area.
At this level Bolton will soon learn they cannot afford to be so charitable.
Fortunately for Ricketts he had the chance to make amends six minutes before the interval and this time he showed the type of finishing prowess that earned him 24 goals last season.
As Middlesbrough's players traipsed back to the centre circle there must have been several accusing looks in the direction of Paul Ince. His slackness in midfield, allowing Nolan to dispossess him 30 yards from goal, left the visiting defence horribly exposed. The ball was worked to Bo Hansen, whose square pass was struck first time by Ricketts beyond Mark Schwarzer.
Middlesbrough almost equalised at once when Deane's header, from an Ince cross, beat Jussi Jaaskelainen but was hacked off the line by Gudni Bergsson.
But McClaren now has the evidence, if any were needed, that the team he has inherited from Bryan Robson looks nowhere near as potent when Boksic is unavailable.
In the second half Middlesbrough reasserted themselves but further deficiencies were exposed when Hansen evaded a static defence to run clear in the 54th minute. The Dane should have scored but screwed his left-foot shot wide. The Boro players began another inquest. McClaren looked worried.
BOLTON: Jaaskelainen, Barness, Charlton, Bergsson, Whitlow, Hansen, Frandsen, Warhurst (Southall 72), Gardner, Nolan (Marshall 90), Ricketts (Holdsworth 76). Subs Not Used: Banks, Pedersen. Booked: Whitlow. Goal: Ricketts 39.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Fleming, Cooper, Ehiogu, Southgate, Mustoe (Okon 82), Ince, Greening, Deane, Ricard (Windass 79) , Job. Subs Not Used: Crossley, Vickers, Wilson. Booked: Ehiogu.
Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).
