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There is an extra spring in the step of Phil Parkinson, who led his team out of the bottom three with last weekend’s win against Barnsley.
And as they take on an inconsistent Nottingham Forest this afternoon he is keen for Wanderers to build on the added feelgood factor that 21st place brings.
Seeing off the Tykes certainly lifted his team – positionally and emotionally – and helped expand the group of clubs scrambling to avoid the drop into League One.
“I have felt slightly better about things looking at the table, we’re pleased because we feel we’re an improving team,” he told The Bolton News.
“Now we’ve got to get our away form back on track after the Wolves defeat – not only back on track but better, because we knew we had to get an away win at some point to stay in the league.
“It’s good to be out of the bottom three, the results went our way last week but obviously it was more important we took care of our own business and we’ll hope for more of the same this weekend.
“Psychologically, getting off the bottom a couple of weeks ago going into the international break was a boost.
“We know it’s very tight down there but equally it’s getting tight above us as well and that’s the important thing.
“We’ve got to be aiming for those teams above us and, like we did last week against Barnsley, bring those clubs back towards us.”
While Parkinson’s players responded in some style to the heavy defeat at Wolves the previous week, Forest have suffered defeats to Cardiff and Ipswich.
The four goals they shipped in their last outing means he expects them to come out firing today.
“This weekend is a really key game – you could say that every week but I just think it’s a real opportunity for us down at Forest to build on last week and take us into the next two home games in good spirits,” he said.
With no new injuries, Parkinson’s main selection conundrum revolves around centre-back David Wheater, available again after sitting out last Saturday through suspension.
The manager will have to decide whether to re-introduce perhaps his most consistent performer or keep faith with Reece Burke and Mark Beevers in the centre of defence.
“Wheats is available for selection but equally Burkey and Beevers have done well and we’ve got a winning team so we’ll have to make the call on that,” he added.
“It’s also about utilising the squad, that’s what we intend to do over the Christmas period. Wheats is available but there is good competition.”
Source
And as they take on an inconsistent Nottingham Forest this afternoon he is keen for Wanderers to build on the added feelgood factor that 21st place brings.
Seeing off the Tykes certainly lifted his team – positionally and emotionally – and helped expand the group of clubs scrambling to avoid the drop into League One.
“I have felt slightly better about things looking at the table, we’re pleased because we feel we’re an improving team,” he told The Bolton News.
“Now we’ve got to get our away form back on track after the Wolves defeat – not only back on track but better, because we knew we had to get an away win at some point to stay in the league.
“It’s good to be out of the bottom three, the results went our way last week but obviously it was more important we took care of our own business and we’ll hope for more of the same this weekend.
“Psychologically, getting off the bottom a couple of weeks ago going into the international break was a boost.
“We know it’s very tight down there but equally it’s getting tight above us as well and that’s the important thing.
“We’ve got to be aiming for those teams above us and, like we did last week against Barnsley, bring those clubs back towards us.”
While Parkinson’s players responded in some style to the heavy defeat at Wolves the previous week, Forest have suffered defeats to Cardiff and Ipswich.
The four goals they shipped in their last outing means he expects them to come out firing today.
“This weekend is a really key game – you could say that every week but I just think it’s a real opportunity for us down at Forest to build on last week and take us into the next two home games in good spirits,” he said.
With no new injuries, Parkinson’s main selection conundrum revolves around centre-back David Wheater, available again after sitting out last Saturday through suspension.
The manager will have to decide whether to re-introduce perhaps his most consistent performer or keep faith with Reece Burke and Mark Beevers in the centre of defence.
“Wheats is available for selection but equally Burkey and Beevers have done well and we’ve got a winning team so we’ll have to make the call on that,” he added.
“It’s also about utilising the squad, that’s what we intend to do over the Christmas period. Wheats is available but there is good competition.”
Source