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Lawrie Wilson believes Phil Parkinson has brought the “buzz” back into Bolton by giving everyone a second chance.
Frozen out under Neil Lennon last season, the former Charlton Athletic defender is enjoying a new lease of life under Wanderers’ new management team.
Everyone will be out to impress against Preston North End today in a final dress rehearsal before the League One opener against Sheffield United next weekend.
And Wilson feels a brighter mood in the camp is down to each player believing they have a shot at starting the game – unlike 12 months ago.
“There’s nothing worse as a player than when you put everything into training to get a chance and then you are continually overlooked,” he told The Bolton News. “Last year there wasn’t enough competition for places. Some players weren’t even allowed to compete for their position.
“This year it’s healthier. That’s key for players to keep you on your toes.
“If you feel like you are going to play every week regardless then you can drop off and relax. You are not necessarily at the top of your game.
“This time I feel like there are more of us who feel we are in with a shot.”
Wilson played as a winger in the 2-1 defeat against Burnley in midweek, something he did regularly earlier in his career with Stevenage and Charlton.
Though a late goal denied Wanderers a deserved draw, the 28-year-old feels confident Parkinson’s summer target to improve the organisation, discipline and resilience of his squad has been reached.
“The lads have got a buzz again and we’re excited to get started in the season,” he said. “We went 1-0 down against Burnley to a sloppy penalty and last year we’d probably have caved in and it would have gone to three, four, five.
“This year we’re trying to install that even if we do go a goal down we’ve got to keep on fighting because we owe that to the supporters watching these games.
“They don’t want to see us cave, they want to see some grit. We are good enough to keep doing what we are doing and make chances. We can get back into games and it’s something that needs to be instilled into players.”
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Frozen out under Neil Lennon last season, the former Charlton Athletic defender is enjoying a new lease of life under Wanderers’ new management team.
Everyone will be out to impress against Preston North End today in a final dress rehearsal before the League One opener against Sheffield United next weekend.
And Wilson feels a brighter mood in the camp is down to each player believing they have a shot at starting the game – unlike 12 months ago.
“There’s nothing worse as a player than when you put everything into training to get a chance and then you are continually overlooked,” he told The Bolton News. “Last year there wasn’t enough competition for places. Some players weren’t even allowed to compete for their position.
“This year it’s healthier. That’s key for players to keep you on your toes.
“If you feel like you are going to play every week regardless then you can drop off and relax. You are not necessarily at the top of your game.
“This time I feel like there are more of us who feel we are in with a shot.”
Wilson played as a winger in the 2-1 defeat against Burnley in midweek, something he did regularly earlier in his career with Stevenage and Charlton.
Though a late goal denied Wanderers a deserved draw, the 28-year-old feels confident Parkinson’s summer target to improve the organisation, discipline and resilience of his squad has been reached.
“The lads have got a buzz again and we’re excited to get started in the season,” he said. “We went 1-0 down against Burnley to a sloppy penalty and last year we’d probably have caved in and it would have gone to three, four, five.
“This year we’re trying to install that even if we do go a goal down we’ve got to keep on fighting because we owe that to the supporters watching these games.
“They don’t want to see us cave, they want to see some grit. We are good enough to keep doing what we are doing and make chances. We can get back into games and it’s something that needs to be instilled into players.”
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