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Phil Parkinson commended his patched-up Wanderers for grinding out a point against Bradford, promising fans: “We will get better!”
Liam Trotter, Josh Vela and Zach Clough played against the Bantams despite nursing illness and injuries, while James Henry also picked up a knock during the course of a hotly-contested game.
Wanderers struggled to break down a miserly Bradford side who have kept 12 clean sheets in their last 22 games, during which time they have never conceded more than a solitary goal.
Parkinson – who helped start that record off at Valley Parade last season – admitted his side were not at their best but felt pleased they emerged with a point to show for their efforts.
“It was a hard-fought game and it was always going to be nip and tuck,” he told The Bolton News. “I think we ran out of steam a bit in the second half but the way we stuck at it, made sure we got a result, was excellent. A clean sheet mentality is developing.
“We’ve had Liam Trotter not training this week and Josh has been poorly with a virus - plus Zach had a fitness test because he’s reported some discomfort in his glute, which for those who don’t know is the muscle in his backside. We’re lacking options – we didn’t have Keshi (Anderson), Gary Madine or Max Clayton so there wasn’t much to change the game for us. But that will change.
“Someone just said to me when opposition teams brought big followings here last season it inspired the opposition to win, or to score a late goal. It was important we stood strong.
“We are building things gradually but as I said earlier in the week we’re trying to put some pride back into wearing the Wanderers shirt and I felt that was there.”
Wanderers have struggled to break teams down of late and it is now six games in league and cup since their last win.
Parkinson had some words of support for his striker Jamie Proctor, however, who is yet to score in the league since moving from Bradford in the summer.
“Proccy got better as the game went on,” he said. “It was a big game for him because he was at Bradford last year. You cannot fault him for effort. He gave absolutely everything while other players around him were tiring.”
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Liam Trotter, Josh Vela and Zach Clough played against the Bantams despite nursing illness and injuries, while James Henry also picked up a knock during the course of a hotly-contested game.
Wanderers struggled to break down a miserly Bradford side who have kept 12 clean sheets in their last 22 games, during which time they have never conceded more than a solitary goal.
Parkinson – who helped start that record off at Valley Parade last season – admitted his side were not at their best but felt pleased they emerged with a point to show for their efforts.
“It was a hard-fought game and it was always going to be nip and tuck,” he told The Bolton News. “I think we ran out of steam a bit in the second half but the way we stuck at it, made sure we got a result, was excellent. A clean sheet mentality is developing.
“We’ve had Liam Trotter not training this week and Josh has been poorly with a virus - plus Zach had a fitness test because he’s reported some discomfort in his glute, which for those who don’t know is the muscle in his backside. We’re lacking options – we didn’t have Keshi (Anderson), Gary Madine or Max Clayton so there wasn’t much to change the game for us. But that will change.
“Someone just said to me when opposition teams brought big followings here last season it inspired the opposition to win, or to score a late goal. It was important we stood strong.
“We are building things gradually but as I said earlier in the week we’re trying to put some pride back into wearing the Wanderers shirt and I felt that was there.”
Wanderers have struggled to break teams down of late and it is now six games in league and cup since their last win.
Parkinson had some words of support for his striker Jamie Proctor, however, who is yet to score in the league since moving from Bradford in the summer.
“Proccy got better as the game went on,” he said. “It was a big game for him because he was at Bradford last year. You cannot fault him for effort. He gave absolutely everything while other players around him were tiring.”
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