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Speaking following Wanderers’ narrow defeat to Hull City on Saturday afternoon, Emile Heskey admitted his frustration that Neil Lennon’s men weren’t able to turn their efforts against the Tigers into a positive result.
With Chuba Akpom’s first half strike ultimately the difference on a rain-sodden afternoon at the KC Stadium, Bolton saw themselves denied a share of the spoils by the woodwork and Hull keeper Allan McGregor in testing conditions.
And having come on as a second half substitute in the clash, the forward couldn’t hide his disappointment at the final whistle.
“It was a difficult day for us,” he said. “The lads wanted to get at Hull from the offset and tried a new formation which I think worked reasonably well, but it was ultimately a sloppy goal to give away.
“From then on, our backs were against the wall and we huffed and puffed but ultimately we never really exerted ourselves to give Hull a run for their money. That is football though and we now have a chance to go again on Tuesday.
“You do change things around dependent on your opponent and before they scored, it didn’t feel as though we were being outplayed, but we allowed our concentration to slip for one sloppy moment and they got the goal they needed.
“Ultimately, you get punished if you don’t punish teams yourself.”
He continued: “I think the main positive we can take is that it wasn’t a terrible display but we know we can do better, especially in front of goal, and that’s what our aim will be.
“When we hit the post, it’s those little bits of luck that you need and hope will go your way, but at this moment in time they’re not. We have to keep going though.
“The spirit is good in the dressing room, despite what is going on around right now. Ultimately we’ve just got to go out there and try and get points on the board to lift our own spirits as a team.”
Heskey also paid tribute to young defender Rob Holding, with the academy graduate making only his third ever senior appearance for the club against Steve Bruce’s side.
“I think Rob did fantastically well,” said the forward. “He’s come into the team in a difficult situation and to be playing against one of the top teams in the league and to not look out of place, that’s brilliant for a young lad of his age.
“At the moment though, everybody is going to be looking towards the senior players for reassurance and help. A lot of the players haven’t been in this kind of situation before but we’ve all got to stick together and keep strong.
“I’m genuinely confident that with a couple of wins, we can easily change this situation around, not just on the league table but in ourselves as well in terms of confidence.
“If you don’t have the belief that we can get out of this situation, then there is no point in crossing that white line onto the football pitch and I believe that all the players in that dressing room do have it.”
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With Chuba Akpom’s first half strike ultimately the difference on a rain-sodden afternoon at the KC Stadium, Bolton saw themselves denied a share of the spoils by the woodwork and Hull keeper Allan McGregor in testing conditions.
And having come on as a second half substitute in the clash, the forward couldn’t hide his disappointment at the final whistle.
“It was a difficult day for us,” he said. “The lads wanted to get at Hull from the offset and tried a new formation which I think worked reasonably well, but it was ultimately a sloppy goal to give away.
“From then on, our backs were against the wall and we huffed and puffed but ultimately we never really exerted ourselves to give Hull a run for their money. That is football though and we now have a chance to go again on Tuesday.
“You do change things around dependent on your opponent and before they scored, it didn’t feel as though we were being outplayed, but we allowed our concentration to slip for one sloppy moment and they got the goal they needed.
“Ultimately, you get punished if you don’t punish teams yourself.”
He continued: “I think the main positive we can take is that it wasn’t a terrible display but we know we can do better, especially in front of goal, and that’s what our aim will be.
“When we hit the post, it’s those little bits of luck that you need and hope will go your way, but at this moment in time they’re not. We have to keep going though.
“The spirit is good in the dressing room, despite what is going on around right now. Ultimately we’ve just got to go out there and try and get points on the board to lift our own spirits as a team.”
Heskey also paid tribute to young defender Rob Holding, with the academy graduate making only his third ever senior appearance for the club against Steve Bruce’s side.
“I think Rob did fantastically well,” said the forward. “He’s come into the team in a difficult situation and to be playing against one of the top teams in the league and to not look out of place, that’s brilliant for a young lad of his age.
“At the moment though, everybody is going to be looking towards the senior players for reassurance and help. A lot of the players haven’t been in this kind of situation before but we’ve all got to stick together and keep strong.
“I’m genuinely confident that with a couple of wins, we can easily change this situation around, not just on the league table but in ourselves as well in terms of confidence.
“If you don’t have the belief that we can get out of this situation, then there is no point in crossing that white line onto the football pitch and I believe that all the players in that dressing room do have it.”
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