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Dorian Dervite admits Wanderers will be out for revenge against former boss Dougie Freedman tomorrow – but that some players have more of a point to prove than others.
The Frenchman holds the rare distinction of being first-choice for both Freedman and the man who replaced him last October, Neil Lennon.
But elsewhere in the camp there are clearly a few scores to be settled with the erstwhile Whites boss, particularly among the younger members of the squad.
The likes of Josh Vela and Zach Clough have risen to prominence under Lennon but were starved of opportunities in Freedman’s oft-criticised two-year run at the Macron Stadium.
Clough failed to get a sniff of the first team under the Scot’s reign, while Vela was on the verge of quitting the club after being farmed out to Notts County on loan and consigned to train with the development squad.
Dervite believes the pair will be itching to show their worth and hopes they can use it as a motivation to securing a first win of the season.
“Some of the younger lads must have this feeling,” the defender told The Bolton News. “Hopefully, they show this on Saturday and get us the win, which is the most important thing.
“Personally, I thank Dougie Freedman a lot for bringing me to Bolton because it is a big club. I will always have respect for him but I will be happy to play against him and hopefully I do well.
“We lost at their ground last season and we need to get our revenge.”
The 4-1 defeat at the City Ground back in February, just a fortnight into Freedman’s new post, still smarts for those who were involved, Clough and Vela included.
There is extra pressure on Wanderers’ shoulders given their club record six-game wait for a goal.
But Dervite believes it is important for the senior players to shield young striker Clough from the brunt – especially in the midst of a six-game club record run without a goal.
“He is already a great player for us but he is still very young so we need to protect him,” he said.
“Against MK Dons, I think when he dribbled round everyone in the first half it could have been the goal of the season. But he needs to work on that finish.
“He is going to get better and better. He is good for the future.”
Dervite was left frustrated after the 1-0 defeat at MK Dons but felt the overall performance justified more than they got in midweek.
The all-important first goal of the season continues to cast a shadow over the squad but the defender feels a breakthrough is not far away.
“I felt we played well the whole game at MK Dons,” he said. “We had chances, we just didn’t finish any of them.
“We had to react (after Middlesbrough) because we didn't start the game well. It wasn't how we play usually. From the start of the season, we had decided to press our opponents from the start. Press them high and don't let them play.
“It is frustrating because we think we are doing quite well but it is just the finishing we need to improve. Once we get one goal we will get our confidence back and we will be fine.
“The strikers work hard in training and all they want to do at weekends is score goals.”
Dervite suffered for form at the end of last season, which ended prematurely after a red card against Bournemouth in the penultimate game.
He has since recovered and is taking heart from a burgeoning partnership with fellow Frenchman Prince-Desir Gouano in the last three games.
“That red card was disappointing,” he said. “But when I came back from the summer I was ready to put it behind me and forget about it.
“When Prince came in we didn't have much time to work together in training. It is good he speaks French because it helps me and I can help him on the pitch so he can adapt quicker.
“I think we have done quite well apart from 20-30 minutes against Middlesbrough. I am sure the more games we play the better we get.”
“Overall on Saturday we need to focus. We need that first win.
"We need to focus on ourselves and most importantly we need to get that first win, especially at home, so we can move forward. We have a good team but we just need that win."
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The Frenchman holds the rare distinction of being first-choice for both Freedman and the man who replaced him last October, Neil Lennon.
But elsewhere in the camp there are clearly a few scores to be settled with the erstwhile Whites boss, particularly among the younger members of the squad.
The likes of Josh Vela and Zach Clough have risen to prominence under Lennon but were starved of opportunities in Freedman’s oft-criticised two-year run at the Macron Stadium.
Clough failed to get a sniff of the first team under the Scot’s reign, while Vela was on the verge of quitting the club after being farmed out to Notts County on loan and consigned to train with the development squad.
Dervite believes the pair will be itching to show their worth and hopes they can use it as a motivation to securing a first win of the season.
“Some of the younger lads must have this feeling,” the defender told The Bolton News. “Hopefully, they show this on Saturday and get us the win, which is the most important thing.
“Personally, I thank Dougie Freedman a lot for bringing me to Bolton because it is a big club. I will always have respect for him but I will be happy to play against him and hopefully I do well.
“We lost at their ground last season and we need to get our revenge.”
The 4-1 defeat at the City Ground back in February, just a fortnight into Freedman’s new post, still smarts for those who were involved, Clough and Vela included.
There is extra pressure on Wanderers’ shoulders given their club record six-game wait for a goal.
But Dervite believes it is important for the senior players to shield young striker Clough from the brunt – especially in the midst of a six-game club record run without a goal.
“He is already a great player for us but he is still very young so we need to protect him,” he said.
“Against MK Dons, I think when he dribbled round everyone in the first half it could have been the goal of the season. But he needs to work on that finish.
“He is going to get better and better. He is good for the future.”
Dervite was left frustrated after the 1-0 defeat at MK Dons but felt the overall performance justified more than they got in midweek.
The all-important first goal of the season continues to cast a shadow over the squad but the defender feels a breakthrough is not far away.
“I felt we played well the whole game at MK Dons,” he said. “We had chances, we just didn’t finish any of them.
“We had to react (after Middlesbrough) because we didn't start the game well. It wasn't how we play usually. From the start of the season, we had decided to press our opponents from the start. Press them high and don't let them play.
“It is frustrating because we think we are doing quite well but it is just the finishing we need to improve. Once we get one goal we will get our confidence back and we will be fine.
“The strikers work hard in training and all they want to do at weekends is score goals.”
Dervite suffered for form at the end of last season, which ended prematurely after a red card against Bournemouth in the penultimate game.
He has since recovered and is taking heart from a burgeoning partnership with fellow Frenchman Prince-Desir Gouano in the last three games.
“That red card was disappointing,” he said. “But when I came back from the summer I was ready to put it behind me and forget about it.
“When Prince came in we didn't have much time to work together in training. It is good he speaks French because it helps me and I can help him on the pitch so he can adapt quicker.
“I think we have done quite well apart from 20-30 minutes against Middlesbrough. I am sure the more games we play the better we get.”
“Overall on Saturday we need to focus. We need that first win.
"We need to focus on ourselves and most importantly we need to get that first win, especially at home, so we can move forward. We have a good team but we just need that win."
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