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Phil Parkinson admits life would be easier for Wanderers in the run-in with a recognised target man.
The Whites remain a team in transition since the January departure of Gary Madine to Cardiff City and have failed to score more than a single goal in any game thereafter.
Phasing Adam Le Fondre into the front line has brought some success and a more aesthetically-pleasing brand of football – but Tuesday night’s problems against Birmingham highlighted the work still to be done.
Parkinson concedes that with six games to go in a survival battle, now is not the ideal time to be completing a style makeover.
“At this stage of the season there is that element of tension,” he told The Bolton News. “When you have got that out-ball, someone up front to hit, it doesn’t half help. And we have lacked that.
“Birmingham had it, with Lukas Jutkiewicz, and we have adapted well with Alfie up there and Darren (Pratley) or Josh (Vela) in behind. But at times I think we need to be more patient.
“You need to move the ball across the back to find the right pass forward, and at times we did that well.
“When teams sit in against you, with two big powerful lads in midfield and two big centre-backs, it is difficult. We found it hard to create anything significant against Birmingham.”
Aaron Wilbraham could be an option for Wanderers, with the 38-year-old looking for only his second Championship start of the season.
Parkinson has said the former Bristol City man still has a major part to play in the run-in and his experience could be an asset in what is likely to be another nervous atmosphere at Pride Park, where the home side is also gunning for a play-off place.
Having watched the Rams beaten soundly in their last home game, Parkinson feels the nerves could work to his side’s advantage.
“I was at the Derby-Sunderland game at the weekend and you could feel the tension in the air because Derby had been on a bad run themselves, albeit they have since had a good result against Preston North End,” he said. “Everyone is doing their best not to get into the play-offs this season. They are still in a strong position.
“We will go down there and acquit ourselves as well as we can, hopefully to start this last run of games with a positive result.”
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The Whites remain a team in transition since the January departure of Gary Madine to Cardiff City and have failed to score more than a single goal in any game thereafter.
Phasing Adam Le Fondre into the front line has brought some success and a more aesthetically-pleasing brand of football – but Tuesday night’s problems against Birmingham highlighted the work still to be done.
Parkinson concedes that with six games to go in a survival battle, now is not the ideal time to be completing a style makeover.
“At this stage of the season there is that element of tension,” he told The Bolton News. “When you have got that out-ball, someone up front to hit, it doesn’t half help. And we have lacked that.
“Birmingham had it, with Lukas Jutkiewicz, and we have adapted well with Alfie up there and Darren (Pratley) or Josh (Vela) in behind. But at times I think we need to be more patient.
“You need to move the ball across the back to find the right pass forward, and at times we did that well.
“When teams sit in against you, with two big powerful lads in midfield and two big centre-backs, it is difficult. We found it hard to create anything significant against Birmingham.”
Aaron Wilbraham could be an option for Wanderers, with the 38-year-old looking for only his second Championship start of the season.
Parkinson has said the former Bristol City man still has a major part to play in the run-in and his experience could be an asset in what is likely to be another nervous atmosphere at Pride Park, where the home side is also gunning for a play-off place.
Having watched the Rams beaten soundly in their last home game, Parkinson feels the nerves could work to his side’s advantage.
“I was at the Derby-Sunderland game at the weekend and you could feel the tension in the air because Derby had been on a bad run themselves, albeit they have since had a good result against Preston North End,” he said. “Everyone is doing their best not to get into the play-offs this season. They are still in a strong position.
“We will go down there and acquit ourselves as well as we can, hopefully to start this last run of games with a positive result.”
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