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It’s been quite a while since I have been to the Macron Stadium but after the game against Liverpool I’m more convinced than ever that Bolton are moving in the right direction under Neil Lennon.
Even thought the team lost it was like a reminder of the good old days, there were so many positives to take from the performance.
They need to keep that in mind as they come up against in-form Derby County – one of the best footballing teams in the Championship this season for me.
Steve McClaren has done a wonderful job of picking his team up after defeat in the play-off final last season and to get them back into a good position in the league is testament to his managerial skills.
But Bolton can’t have anything to fear, they just need to keep in mind that after all the effort against Liverpool they can’t afford to slump like they did against Rotherham United a few weeks ago.
Coming up against the fluid football of Derby will be a tough task but then we’ve seen Bolton defend against a good passing team like Liverpool and they will need that same level of competitiveness if they are to come away with anything from the iPro Stadium.
Again I think it’s all about the start the team makes. It sets the benchmark.
Conceding early sets the wrong atmosphere and I’m sure Lennon will be reminding the lads that they need to start on the front foot. This will be the only way the team will move forward, by not thinking too much about the past.
I have been impressed with all the youngsters who have come into the squad recently but especially Zach Clough. Anyone who was there on Wednesday will agree that the boy is talented and plays with no fear. It was clear to see against Liverpool that he is direct and not afraid of the ball.
Playing against one of the top sides, shape is important and we need to make sure we are in the game as long as possible.
We can’t make silly mistakes at the back and have to respect the fact Derby like to keep hold of the ball and we may have to be patient.
As we saw against Liverpool we’ll also need to be a little more clinical in front of goal if we are really going to kill them off.
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Even thought the team lost it was like a reminder of the good old days, there were so many positives to take from the performance.
They need to keep that in mind as they come up against in-form Derby County – one of the best footballing teams in the Championship this season for me.
Steve McClaren has done a wonderful job of picking his team up after defeat in the play-off final last season and to get them back into a good position in the league is testament to his managerial skills.
But Bolton can’t have anything to fear, they just need to keep in mind that after all the effort against Liverpool they can’t afford to slump like they did against Rotherham United a few weeks ago.
Coming up against the fluid football of Derby will be a tough task but then we’ve seen Bolton defend against a good passing team like Liverpool and they will need that same level of competitiveness if they are to come away with anything from the iPro Stadium.
Again I think it’s all about the start the team makes. It sets the benchmark.
Conceding early sets the wrong atmosphere and I’m sure Lennon will be reminding the lads that they need to start on the front foot. This will be the only way the team will move forward, by not thinking too much about the past.
I have been impressed with all the youngsters who have come into the squad recently but especially Zach Clough. Anyone who was there on Wednesday will agree that the boy is talented and plays with no fear. It was clear to see against Liverpool that he is direct and not afraid of the ball.
Playing against one of the top sides, shape is important and we need to make sure we are in the game as long as possible.
We can’t make silly mistakes at the back and have to respect the fact Derby like to keep hold of the ball and we may have to be patient.
As we saw against Liverpool we’ll also need to be a little more clinical in front of goal if we are really going to kill them off.
Source