Home
As Wanderers finally discovered form on the road, two of last season’s supposed sinners also found some redemption.
When last season drew to a disappointing close, few would have predicted that Liam Trotter would get a chance to dance in front of the Whites fans to celebrate a winning goal, as he did on Saturday at Wimbledon.
Likewise Gary Madine’s constant quest for acceptance from the Bolton supporters has often looked like a losing battle, but perhaps no more after another gutsy display at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
A watershed result not only rid the club of its most unwanted statistic, it also underlined how fortunes and perceptions are changing. Last season’s pariahs are finally finding some favour.
Parkinson spoke at length over the summer about rebuilding reputations. But Trotter, a much more thoughtful and intelligent young man than his burly frame may suggest, resisted the opportunity to play up to the fans after his winning goal against the Wombles.
“Fans are going to have their own opinion but for me or Gaz, we’re just looking to impress the manager,” he told The Bolton News.
“It was difficult for me last season because the manager (Neil Lennon) didn’t have faith in me at the start of the season and I had to go out on loan to Forest. Just as it switched round and he started to play me every week, he got the sack. That’s how it went for me last season.
“This year I feel like I have a manager who will give me games.
“I don’t doubt myself. I know what I can do when I am playing week-in, week-out, I feel like most weeks whenever I have started I have done okay.
“I’m not perfect and I am not going to play brilliantly every week but I back myself to play well more often than not.”
Parkinson has been pleased with the input of both Trotter and Madine since his arrival this summer but accepts they have become ‘easy targets’ for criticism.
“Fans get on the back of every big striker of every club,” he said. “I used to get it at Bradford with James Hanson – I had more letters about him asking why I am playing him. Sometimes those players can be effective without people realising.
“Gaz (Madine) got a good goal and even at the end when he was getting tired he made some good runs for us. That’s what we need from him, to push himself.
“With big Trotts, he played 120 minutes the other night at Blackpool but we asked him to go again, and he did well. His match fitness will improve.
“He wants to be that player – but I think players sometimes show it in different ways. Some people do it by making big tackles or headers but Trotts does it his own way.
“He produces big moments and that’s what his game is all about.”
Trotter’s dance celebration was cajoled out of him by his former Millwall team-mates Chris Taylor and Mark Beevers.
His goal ensured Wanderers came from behind to win a game away from home for the first time since April 2012, when David Ngog and Martin Petrov hauled Owen Coyle’s side ahead against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Wanderers sit second in the table on goal difference from the only other side with a perfect record after two games, Gillingham.
And for Trotter, that is exactly where he wants to stay.
“Winning and losing become habits,” he said. “Life feels better when you are winning – the players are happier and the staff are happier. Long may it continue.
“Were one of the biggest clubs in this league, regardless of what players we allowed to leave over the summer. We have one of the biggest budgets and one of the biggest fan-bases in this league and I’d much rather have the pressure of winning every week than being expected to lose, like last season, it’s not a nice feeling.
“I want to stay at the top with people chasing us rather than being at the bottom chasing other people.”
Source
When last season drew to a disappointing close, few would have predicted that Liam Trotter would get a chance to dance in front of the Whites fans to celebrate a winning goal, as he did on Saturday at Wimbledon.
Likewise Gary Madine’s constant quest for acceptance from the Bolton supporters has often looked like a losing battle, but perhaps no more after another gutsy display at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
A watershed result not only rid the club of its most unwanted statistic, it also underlined how fortunes and perceptions are changing. Last season’s pariahs are finally finding some favour.
Parkinson spoke at length over the summer about rebuilding reputations. But Trotter, a much more thoughtful and intelligent young man than his burly frame may suggest, resisted the opportunity to play up to the fans after his winning goal against the Wombles.
“Fans are going to have their own opinion but for me or Gaz, we’re just looking to impress the manager,” he told The Bolton News.
“It was difficult for me last season because the manager (Neil Lennon) didn’t have faith in me at the start of the season and I had to go out on loan to Forest. Just as it switched round and he started to play me every week, he got the sack. That’s how it went for me last season.
“This year I feel like I have a manager who will give me games.
“I don’t doubt myself. I know what I can do when I am playing week-in, week-out, I feel like most weeks whenever I have started I have done okay.
“I’m not perfect and I am not going to play brilliantly every week but I back myself to play well more often than not.”
Parkinson has been pleased with the input of both Trotter and Madine since his arrival this summer but accepts they have become ‘easy targets’ for criticism.
“Fans get on the back of every big striker of every club,” he said. “I used to get it at Bradford with James Hanson – I had more letters about him asking why I am playing him. Sometimes those players can be effective without people realising.
“Gaz (Madine) got a good goal and even at the end when he was getting tired he made some good runs for us. That’s what we need from him, to push himself.
“With big Trotts, he played 120 minutes the other night at Blackpool but we asked him to go again, and he did well. His match fitness will improve.
“He wants to be that player – but I think players sometimes show it in different ways. Some people do it by making big tackles or headers but Trotts does it his own way.
“He produces big moments and that’s what his game is all about.”
Trotter’s dance celebration was cajoled out of him by his former Millwall team-mates Chris Taylor and Mark Beevers.
His goal ensured Wanderers came from behind to win a game away from home for the first time since April 2012, when David Ngog and Martin Petrov hauled Owen Coyle’s side ahead against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Wanderers sit second in the table on goal difference from the only other side with a perfect record after two games, Gillingham.
And for Trotter, that is exactly where he wants to stay.
“Winning and losing become habits,” he said. “Life feels better when you are winning – the players are happier and the staff are happier. Long may it continue.
“Were one of the biggest clubs in this league, regardless of what players we allowed to leave over the summer. We have one of the biggest budgets and one of the biggest fan-bases in this league and I’d much rather have the pressure of winning every week than being expected to lose, like last season, it’s not a nice feeling.
“I want to stay at the top with people chasing us rather than being at the bottom chasing other people.”
Source
