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Bolton Wanderers defeated Rotherham United 2-1 in a Sky Bet Championship Boxing Day clash, with goals from Sammy Ameobi and Gary O’Neil being the difference maker.
When speaking to bwfc.co.uk after the game, manager Phil Parkinson covered the following topics…
On being back to winning ways…
I am so pleased to get the three points in a hard fought game, and we knew it was going to be.
There was a lot at stake, with two teams in and around that bottom six and we had to dig deep.
Rotherham are a difficult team to play against, but it is a very important win for us.
It has given us all a huge lift.
On whether or not it was a must win game…
I don’t know about that but it was certainly an important one.
With the recent run we have had, obviously there was a bit of added importance.
On this win being long overdue…
All I will say is that the players and staff never let their heads drop during this run.
It is difficult when you are not getting these results and the performances probably merited better, but we haven’t felt sorry for ourselves.
We have had to dig deep and when four of our players throw themselves at the ball to block that shot late on in the game, that was as good as a goal for me in terms of commitment.
That is the desire we need when it is nip and tuck down there.
I am very pleased for all connected with the club, but especially the supporters as they have come in today and got right behind us when we needed it.
It is pleasing to give them some Christmas cheer.
On being more than satisfied with the overall team performance…
We made quite a few changes, in terms of team shape and we had reasons for that.
I felt we got better as the game went on, as I thought we were a bit edgy to begin with.
I was ecstatic to get over the line today.
On today being a potential big boost for the upcoming games…
It is massive for us and a huge lift for everybody.
It is only three points but the games we have got beat in have all been tight.
I am so happy to not be talking about a 1-0 defeat or a dubious penalty decision gone against us.
That has been the same over this period of time.
Today, we showed we can get on the right side of the three points and not narrowly missing out on points.
On Gary O’Neil’s performance…
I thought Gary had a great game and brought a real calmness to the midfield.
We lacked a bit of composure in previous games like Leeds I felt and Gaz certainly gave me that.
I thought we got the first pass off a lot better as the game went on and Gaz certainly typified that.
On the supporters being exceptional today…
I thought they were great and have been terrific for us throughout the season.
We had a tremendous turnout tonight a couple of days before Christmas and it hurts us when we don’t reward them.
I don’t think any of them driving away from any game cannot say that the lads haven’t given their all.
That’s what we are all about and if we play like we did today, I am sure the supporters will get right behind us.
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When speaking to bwfc.co.uk after the game, manager Phil Parkinson covered the following topics…
On being back to winning ways…
I am so pleased to get the three points in a hard fought game, and we knew it was going to be.
There was a lot at stake, with two teams in and around that bottom six and we had to dig deep.
Rotherham are a difficult team to play against, but it is a very important win for us.
It has given us all a huge lift.
On whether or not it was a must win game…
I don’t know about that but it was certainly an important one.
With the recent run we have had, obviously there was a bit of added importance.
On this win being long overdue…
All I will say is that the players and staff never let their heads drop during this run.
It is difficult when you are not getting these results and the performances probably merited better, but we haven’t felt sorry for ourselves.
We have had to dig deep and when four of our players throw themselves at the ball to block that shot late on in the game, that was as good as a goal for me in terms of commitment.
That is the desire we need when it is nip and tuck down there.
I am very pleased for all connected with the club, but especially the supporters as they have come in today and got right behind us when we needed it.
It is pleasing to give them some Christmas cheer.
On being more than satisfied with the overall team performance…
We made quite a few changes, in terms of team shape and we had reasons for that.
I felt we got better as the game went on, as I thought we were a bit edgy to begin with.
I was ecstatic to get over the line today.
On today being a potential big boost for the upcoming games…
It is massive for us and a huge lift for everybody.
It is only three points but the games we have got beat in have all been tight.
I am so happy to not be talking about a 1-0 defeat or a dubious penalty decision gone against us.
That has been the same over this period of time.
Today, we showed we can get on the right side of the three points and not narrowly missing out on points.
On Gary O’Neil’s performance…
I thought Gary had a great game and brought a real calmness to the midfield.
We lacked a bit of composure in previous games like Leeds I felt and Gaz certainly gave me that.
I thought we got the first pass off a lot better as the game went on and Gaz certainly typified that.
On the supporters being exceptional today…
I thought they were great and have been terrific for us throughout the season.
We had a tremendous turnout tonight a couple of days before Christmas and it hurts us when we don’t reward them.
I don’t think any of them driving away from any game cannot say that the lads haven’t given their all.
That’s what we are all about and if we play like we did today, I am sure the supporters will get right behind us.
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