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Phil Parkinson insists tonight’s ‘northern’ group decider against Cheltenham Town is no laughing matter.
Wanderers make the near 300-mile round trip in the Checkatrade Trophy knowing only a win will guarantee them a place in the next round.
The competition has been ridiculed for including Under-23 teams, its low attendances and the unfortunate regional grouping of the Gloucestershire club in the northern side of the draw.
But Parkinson is taking the game very seriously indeed, and hopes to give some valuable game time to players like Ben Alnwick, James Henry and Keshi Anderson who have been waiting in the wings for an opportunity in the last few weeks.
The Whites boss is also eager to extend a winning run to eight games, a feat last achieved by the club in 1990.
“I think it’s an important game because I want to keep our run going, no matter what competition we're in,” he told The Bolton News.
“It’s a long old trip for us, in the northern section, and it has become a bit of a joke but we want to use the game to get some players who have been waiting patiently some game time.
“Keshi came on against Grimsby and worked really hard and there are other players who come into the same category.
“I have been thinking hard about the team because we have got the rule where five players have to play who featured on Saturday. But I think it’s an important game for us in terms of getting minutes into some of the players and giving them a proper chance to show what they can do.”
Josh Vela will come back into the squad after sitting out Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Grimsby through suspension.
With an extra day’s rest between the Cheltenham game and the next league outing at Peterborough United on Sunday, Parkinson is looking forward to having some difficulty with the team he picks for the televised clash at London Road.
“People are giving us food for thought all the time,” he said. “That isn’t a bad situation for a manager to be in.
“Josh will have his suspension out of the way, which I’m pleased with, so we should be able to have a look at a few other players in different positions and I’m looking forward to that.”
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Wanderers make the near 300-mile round trip in the Checkatrade Trophy knowing only a win will guarantee them a place in the next round.
The competition has been ridiculed for including Under-23 teams, its low attendances and the unfortunate regional grouping of the Gloucestershire club in the northern side of the draw.
But Parkinson is taking the game very seriously indeed, and hopes to give some valuable game time to players like Ben Alnwick, James Henry and Keshi Anderson who have been waiting in the wings for an opportunity in the last few weeks.
The Whites boss is also eager to extend a winning run to eight games, a feat last achieved by the club in 1990.
“I think it’s an important game because I want to keep our run going, no matter what competition we're in,” he told The Bolton News.
“It’s a long old trip for us, in the northern section, and it has become a bit of a joke but we want to use the game to get some players who have been waiting patiently some game time.
“Keshi came on against Grimsby and worked really hard and there are other players who come into the same category.
“I have been thinking hard about the team because we have got the rule where five players have to play who featured on Saturday. But I think it’s an important game for us in terms of getting minutes into some of the players and giving them a proper chance to show what they can do.”
Josh Vela will come back into the squad after sitting out Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Grimsby through suspension.
With an extra day’s rest between the Cheltenham game and the next league outing at Peterborough United on Sunday, Parkinson is looking forward to having some difficulty with the team he picks for the televised clash at London Road.
“People are giving us food for thought all the time,” he said. “That isn’t a bad situation for a manager to be in.
“Josh will have his suspension out of the way, which I’m pleased with, so we should be able to have a look at a few other players in different positions and I’m looking forward to that.”
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