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Wanderers’ 100 per cent start to the season has even caught manager Phil Parkinson by surprise.
Few would have predicted four wins from the first four games in League One when the 48-year-old’s appointment was confirmed just 74 days ago, including the man himself.
But after a 2-1 win over Fleetwood on Saturday confirmed the club’s best start to a season since 1934, Parkinson believes he was right to place faith in the mainstay of the squad relegated from the Championship last season.
“The start has surprised me to a certain degree, if I’m honest,” he told The Bolton News.
“When I came in people were telling me that the players weren’t up to it. There was a lot of negativity about certain individuals but me, Steve and the rest of the staff got to the point where we said ‘right, we’ve listened to everybody, now we want to make our own minds up.’
“We went away to Sweden and every evening over a beer we started to agree they were a good set of lads.
“There was character in there. There was leadership.
“You look at Jay Spearing – and I know I keep mentioning him – but once again he did a great job. We have those leaders.
“There were a group of players who wanted to put the past behind them and rebuild their reputations. It doesn’t happen overnight but they have taken a good step in the right direction with their attitude so far.”
Wanderers do not have a midweek game after their exit to Blackpool in the EFL Cup, which provides Parkinson with a chance to patch up some of his players.
Jamie Proctor should be fit for Saturday’s game at Charlton after reporting some tightness in his hamstring after last week’s win at Bristol Rovers.
“This free week will be absolutely crucial,” the manager said. “A chance to recharge some batteries.
“There are a lot of players who have pushed themselves to the absolute limit.
“I think for 20 minutes (against Fleetwood) Lewis Buxton was playing on autopilot. For someone who has missed a big chunk of pre-season it isn’t easy.
“But as the game went on he got better and better. That’s called determination and inner strength.
“It’ll be good to give the lads a bit of rest this week and then head down to The Valley fresh.”
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Few would have predicted four wins from the first four games in League One when the 48-year-old’s appointment was confirmed just 74 days ago, including the man himself.
But after a 2-1 win over Fleetwood on Saturday confirmed the club’s best start to a season since 1934, Parkinson believes he was right to place faith in the mainstay of the squad relegated from the Championship last season.
“The start has surprised me to a certain degree, if I’m honest,” he told The Bolton News.
“When I came in people were telling me that the players weren’t up to it. There was a lot of negativity about certain individuals but me, Steve and the rest of the staff got to the point where we said ‘right, we’ve listened to everybody, now we want to make our own minds up.’
“We went away to Sweden and every evening over a beer we started to agree they were a good set of lads.
“There was character in there. There was leadership.
“You look at Jay Spearing – and I know I keep mentioning him – but once again he did a great job. We have those leaders.
“There were a group of players who wanted to put the past behind them and rebuild their reputations. It doesn’t happen overnight but they have taken a good step in the right direction with their attitude so far.”
Wanderers do not have a midweek game after their exit to Blackpool in the EFL Cup, which provides Parkinson with a chance to patch up some of his players.
Jamie Proctor should be fit for Saturday’s game at Charlton after reporting some tightness in his hamstring after last week’s win at Bristol Rovers.
“This free week will be absolutely crucial,” the manager said. “A chance to recharge some batteries.
“There are a lot of players who have pushed themselves to the absolute limit.
“I think for 20 minutes (against Fleetwood) Lewis Buxton was playing on autopilot. For someone who has missed a big chunk of pre-season it isn’t easy.
“But as the game went on he got better and better. That’s called determination and inner strength.
“It’ll be good to give the lads a bit of rest this week and then head down to The Valley fresh.”
Source