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Filipe Morais says he can give even more to the Wanderers cause next season.
Preparing to play Championship football for the first time, the winger-turned-wing-back admits he is under pressure to replicate an eye-catching start to his Bolton career.
Morais scored twice and provided 13 assists in 19 appearances to help Phil Parkinson’s side to promotion. But with just a fortnight to go before the squad report back for training, the 31-year-old told The Bolton News he is itching to impress once again.
“There is pressure on me but I think I need that to perform at my best,” he said. “I think I can do more than I did last season.
“It’s the first time I’d played that position but I felt it was a good fit. There are things I feel I can do better, and bring more to the team. I want to challenge myself.
“You can’t play for a club the size of Bolton and expect to keep your place based on something you did a few weeks or a few months ago. You cannot be comfortable at a big club.
“I’m sure the gaffer will be bringing in players to compete with me, with everyone else, and they will be pushing just as hard.”
Morais signed a new one-year contract this week with an option for a further 12months based on the number of appearances he makes this season.
It will be the first time he has played football in the second tier, although he has played in the top divisions in Scotland for the likes of Hibs and St Johnstone.
Though Morais was one of the last members of the squad to have his future finalised the former Bradford City man insists he was always comfortable about his situation.
“I wasn’t too worried, to be honest,” he said. “It’s probably the best position I have ever been in as a free agent going into the summer because I’d done quite well at Bolton since January and had a few options.
“But, to be honest, I didn’t consider anything else but Bolton Wanderers. It was the only thing in my mind to sign.
“You’d love to have your contract done the day after the season ended but it doesn’t work like that, and because I went back home it got prolonged.”
Although the chance to continue working under his former Valley Parade boss Phil Parkinson was a contributing factor, Morais has also thanked Wanderers’ fans for their support since he came to the club.
“When I was in Portugal I said to my wife I couldn’t believe the number of messages I got from fans on social media asking me what was going on,” he said.
“The gaffer was a huge factor in wanting to stay. But considering I was at the club for such a short period of time it feels like I have been here a lot, lot longer.
“As an older player I appreciate how important it is for the fans to be interested in what you are doing – I see it as a good thing.”
Wanderers fans have been reminded there is now six days to go for supporters who wish to renew their season ticket and secure their existing seat at the Macron.
Supporters can renew or buy their season ticket in person at Bolton Central, online by visiting www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc or by calling 0844 871 2932.
Source
Preparing to play Championship football for the first time, the winger-turned-wing-back admits he is under pressure to replicate an eye-catching start to his Bolton career.
Morais scored twice and provided 13 assists in 19 appearances to help Phil Parkinson’s side to promotion. But with just a fortnight to go before the squad report back for training, the 31-year-old told The Bolton News he is itching to impress once again.
“There is pressure on me but I think I need that to perform at my best,” he said. “I think I can do more than I did last season.
“It’s the first time I’d played that position but I felt it was a good fit. There are things I feel I can do better, and bring more to the team. I want to challenge myself.
“You can’t play for a club the size of Bolton and expect to keep your place based on something you did a few weeks or a few months ago. You cannot be comfortable at a big club.
“I’m sure the gaffer will be bringing in players to compete with me, with everyone else, and they will be pushing just as hard.”
Morais signed a new one-year contract this week with an option for a further 12months based on the number of appearances he makes this season.
It will be the first time he has played football in the second tier, although he has played in the top divisions in Scotland for the likes of Hibs and St Johnstone.
Though Morais was one of the last members of the squad to have his future finalised the former Bradford City man insists he was always comfortable about his situation.
“I wasn’t too worried, to be honest,” he said. “It’s probably the best position I have ever been in as a free agent going into the summer because I’d done quite well at Bolton since January and had a few options.
“But, to be honest, I didn’t consider anything else but Bolton Wanderers. It was the only thing in my mind to sign.
“You’d love to have your contract done the day after the season ended but it doesn’t work like that, and because I went back home it got prolonged.”
Although the chance to continue working under his former Valley Parade boss Phil Parkinson was a contributing factor, Morais has also thanked Wanderers’ fans for their support since he came to the club.
“When I was in Portugal I said to my wife I couldn’t believe the number of messages I got from fans on social media asking me what was going on,” he said.
“The gaffer was a huge factor in wanting to stay. But considering I was at the club for such a short period of time it feels like I have been here a lot, lot longer.
“As an older player I appreciate how important it is for the fans to be interested in what you are doing – I see it as a good thing.”
Wanderers fans have been reminded there is now six days to go for supporters who wish to renew their season ticket and secure their existing seat at the Macron.
Supporters can renew or buy their season ticket in person at Bolton Central, online by visiting www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc or by calling 0844 871 2932.
Source