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Max Clayton believes Wanderers will be unrecognisable from the team that slumped out of the Championship when they get back down to serious business next month.
In 26 days the Whites kick off their League One campaign against Sheffield United with a new manager and a fresh outlook in the camp.
Clayton, who also wants to banish two injury-plagued seasons from the memory banks, insists the team has shown a different attitude since returning for pre-season under Phil Parkinson.
“We were told by the management team from the off that the most important thing is that we work hard for each other,” he told The Bolton News. “It needs to mean a lot more to wear the badge.
“I think you’ll see a completely different Bolton Wanderers this year.
“Last season was a bit of a catastrophe. Of course, we never wanted to be in that situation but we do owe it to the fans to show more pride this year and wherever we finish we want the fans to think ‘they left it all out on the pitch every week.’
“We can’t afford to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. We have to go again and make sure this season is successful."
Clayton is one of the few members of the squad not directly affected by the turmoil of last season, having picked up a serious hamstring injury in November.
From the sidelines he watched things go from bad to worse on the pitch and in the boardroom but with a new regime came new hope and the appointment of Parkinson has given the squad a much-needed injection of optimism, Clayton claims.
“It’s a different club than the one I joined two years ago, but I’m really excited about it,” he said. “The manager and his coaching staff have been brilliant with me, they’ve picked the lads up and got us looking forward again.
“I’ve played in League One before with Crewe – I know what it takes to be successful and score goals here. I think we can give it a really good go and I certainly hope that I can be a massive part of something here.”
Wanderers head to Mansfield Town tomorrow with Derik Osede definitely ruled out with a hamstring strain.
Rob Holding sat out the last friendly with a similar problem but is back in training. Phil Parkinson wants him to train with the group for a few days before he returns to competitive action, so the defender is unlikely to be risked.
A debut should be given to new signing Mark Howard in goal, while some of the trialists used in Tuesday night’s Under-21 game at Stafford Rangers could be on the bench.
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In 26 days the Whites kick off their League One campaign against Sheffield United with a new manager and a fresh outlook in the camp.
Clayton, who also wants to banish two injury-plagued seasons from the memory banks, insists the team has shown a different attitude since returning for pre-season under Phil Parkinson.
“We were told by the management team from the off that the most important thing is that we work hard for each other,” he told The Bolton News. “It needs to mean a lot more to wear the badge.
“I think you’ll see a completely different Bolton Wanderers this year.
“Last season was a bit of a catastrophe. Of course, we never wanted to be in that situation but we do owe it to the fans to show more pride this year and wherever we finish we want the fans to think ‘they left it all out on the pitch every week.’
“We can’t afford to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. We have to go again and make sure this season is successful."
Clayton is one of the few members of the squad not directly affected by the turmoil of last season, having picked up a serious hamstring injury in November.
From the sidelines he watched things go from bad to worse on the pitch and in the boardroom but with a new regime came new hope and the appointment of Parkinson has given the squad a much-needed injection of optimism, Clayton claims.
“It’s a different club than the one I joined two years ago, but I’m really excited about it,” he said. “The manager and his coaching staff have been brilliant with me, they’ve picked the lads up and got us looking forward again.
“I’ve played in League One before with Crewe – I know what it takes to be successful and score goals here. I think we can give it a really good go and I certainly hope that I can be a massive part of something here.”
Wanderers head to Mansfield Town tomorrow with Derik Osede definitely ruled out with a hamstring strain.
Rob Holding sat out the last friendly with a similar problem but is back in training. Phil Parkinson wants him to train with the group for a few days before he returns to competitive action, so the defender is unlikely to be risked.
A debut should be given to new signing Mark Howard in goal, while some of the trialists used in Tuesday night’s Under-21 game at Stafford Rangers could be on the bench.
Source