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David Wheater admits catching tomorrow’s opponents Sheffield United in the League One title race will be tough work for Wanderers.
Seven points currently separate the two clubs – although the Whites do have two games in hand.
Phil Parkinson’s side have already chalked up two victories over the Blades, both at home, in league and cup, but go to Bramall Lane as heavy underdogs missing key men such as Jay Spearing and Andy Taylor.
Wheater reckons the man he will be charged to stop tomorrow could hold the key to the title.
Billy Sharp scored his 21st goal of the season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe and if Wanderers can keep him quiet tomorrow, top spot could yet be up for grabs.
“I’ve been watching the table all season, if I’m honest,” Wheater told The Bolton News. “And I know we can go two points ahead of Scunthorpe if we win our game in hand.
“We need to keep the pressure on. Sheffield United look as if they are probably going to win it because they have got a top striker who’s been banging in goals all season. He’s got 20-plus now.
“But second place would still mean we get back into the Championship, which is where I think we belong.
“If we win Saturday, who knows? We want to finish as high as we can. We’ll look for a win but second is okay by me.”
Wheater has also found himself among the goals this season, hitting a career-best five this season.
The defender first featured for Wanderers in the Premier League days when away days could have been played out in front of 60,000 or more.
After struggling early on in a partisan atmosphere at Valley Parade last week, Wheater is expecting a similar mental test this weekend.
“Maybe some of the players, the atmosphere got to them at Bradford,” Wheater said. “It won’t be any different at Bramall Lane but personally speaking it’s something I look forward to. Back in the Premier League days we used to talk about atmospheres at Old Trafford but there’s no question Sheffield United is one of the toughest places to go in this league.”
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Seven points currently separate the two clubs – although the Whites do have two games in hand.
Phil Parkinson’s side have already chalked up two victories over the Blades, both at home, in league and cup, but go to Bramall Lane as heavy underdogs missing key men such as Jay Spearing and Andy Taylor.
Wheater reckons the man he will be charged to stop tomorrow could hold the key to the title.
Billy Sharp scored his 21st goal of the season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe and if Wanderers can keep him quiet tomorrow, top spot could yet be up for grabs.
“I’ve been watching the table all season, if I’m honest,” Wheater told The Bolton News. “And I know we can go two points ahead of Scunthorpe if we win our game in hand.
“We need to keep the pressure on. Sheffield United look as if they are probably going to win it because they have got a top striker who’s been banging in goals all season. He’s got 20-plus now.
“But second place would still mean we get back into the Championship, which is where I think we belong.
“If we win Saturday, who knows? We want to finish as high as we can. We’ll look for a win but second is okay by me.”
Wheater has also found himself among the goals this season, hitting a career-best five this season.
The defender first featured for Wanderers in the Premier League days when away days could have been played out in front of 60,000 or more.
After struggling early on in a partisan atmosphere at Valley Parade last week, Wheater is expecting a similar mental test this weekend.
“Maybe some of the players, the atmosphere got to them at Bradford,” Wheater said. “It won’t be any different at Bramall Lane but personally speaking it’s something I look forward to. Back in the Premier League days we used to talk about atmospheres at Old Trafford but there’s no question Sheffield United is one of the toughest places to go in this league.”
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