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It's sink or swim for Wanderers against Rotherham United today, as they are being challenged to prove they are not just relegation fodder.
Neil Lennon’s embattled side can drag themselves to within a point of safety with a win at the Macron, with assistant manager Steve Walford admitting the consequences of defeat would be “unthinkable”.
But the Whites have serious doubts over two key players for this afternoon’s game with captain Darren Pratley and top scorer Gary Madine both struggling to overcome back injuries.
Walford reckons the talismanic Zach Clough is “not ready” despite returning to training after a hip problem but is backing Wanderers to come out fighting in a game they simply cannot afford to lose.
“This is huge,” he told The Bolton News. “The lads understand what is at stake. No-one is shying away.
“Staying in the league would be doable if we didn’t win but let’s face it, we don’t want to test that out. This is a very big chance and if we show the same sort of character we did against Wolves the other night I think we will be fine.”
A 4-0 hiding at the New York Stadium on Boxing Day will serve as motivation for Wanderers, on what was the low point of Walford’s time in the North West.
“They are a decent team. We didn’t turn up on Boxing Day but saying that, Zach had a decent chance early on and if we’d gone 1-0 up then who knows?
“We didn’t play at all well. It was the worst performance since I have been here.
“We were never in it – and that can’t happen this time.
“They are strong, well-organised, have a bit of pace and try to get behind you. They want to counter attack.
“We have to defend better than we did on Boxing Day. I think we will – young Rob has come into the back four and looked brilliant and I think Dorian Dervite has been back to form in the last couple of games.”
Walford is also encouraged by the form of winger Wellington Silva, who scored his first goal for Wanderers in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Wolves.
“It’s difficult because he hasn’t played at this level, with the pressure of the Championship,” he said.
“He has got the ability but he needs to show it more. We rely on people like him to create us goals. But you still need to do a bit going back the other way and he’s starting to get to grips with that one.
“It might be match fitness – he’s not used to playing games as quickly and the intensity is a lot quicker than he’s used to.
“But he’s improving. He’s a threat.”
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Neil Lennon’s embattled side can drag themselves to within a point of safety with a win at the Macron, with assistant manager Steve Walford admitting the consequences of defeat would be “unthinkable”.
But the Whites have serious doubts over two key players for this afternoon’s game with captain Darren Pratley and top scorer Gary Madine both struggling to overcome back injuries.
Walford reckons the talismanic Zach Clough is “not ready” despite returning to training after a hip problem but is backing Wanderers to come out fighting in a game they simply cannot afford to lose.
“This is huge,” he told The Bolton News. “The lads understand what is at stake. No-one is shying away.
“Staying in the league would be doable if we didn’t win but let’s face it, we don’t want to test that out. This is a very big chance and if we show the same sort of character we did against Wolves the other night I think we will be fine.”
A 4-0 hiding at the New York Stadium on Boxing Day will serve as motivation for Wanderers, on what was the low point of Walford’s time in the North West.
“They are a decent team. We didn’t turn up on Boxing Day but saying that, Zach had a decent chance early on and if we’d gone 1-0 up then who knows?
“We didn’t play at all well. It was the worst performance since I have been here.
“We were never in it – and that can’t happen this time.
“They are strong, well-organised, have a bit of pace and try to get behind you. They want to counter attack.
“We have to defend better than we did on Boxing Day. I think we will – young Rob has come into the back four and looked brilliant and I think Dorian Dervite has been back to form in the last couple of games.”
Walford is also encouraged by the form of winger Wellington Silva, who scored his first goal for Wanderers in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Wolves.
“It’s difficult because he hasn’t played at this level, with the pressure of the Championship,” he said.
“He has got the ability but he needs to show it more. We rely on people like him to create us goals. But you still need to do a bit going back the other way and he’s starting to get to grips with that one.
“It might be match fitness – he’s not used to playing games as quickly and the intensity is a lot quicker than he’s used to.
“But he’s improving. He’s a threat.”
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