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Phil Parkinson accepts he cannot prevent Wanderers’ fans from protesting tonight – but that has not stopped him appealing for full backing once the game begins.
Tensions are high as Bolton host West Bromwich Albion, with demonstrations against the club’s owner Ken Anderson planned around the University of Bolton Stadium prior to kick-off.
Parkinson has found himself in the familiar position of attempting to keep his players’ focus on the pitch, rather than the distractions around it. In a heartfelt request directly to supporters on the eve of the game, the Wanderers boss urged all involved tonight to put differences aside once the game begins.
“This club belongs to the supporters,” he told The Bolton News. “They know the importance of the next 18 games. We’ve got to do everything on the training ground to get the best out of the team we’ve got and to add to that the supporters have got to do everything they can to support the team and help us win games of football.
“Last time we went down we got straight back up - but that might not happen again - and this is so important, we’ve still got a realistic chance of staying in the division, we’re still alive and kicking and fighting for every single point and we need the support of everybody.
“Words can’t really change what the supporters are planning to do or take away the negativity that they’re feeling. It’s just that this club has seen a big turnaround in the last two years in terms of all the problems in and around the club and the financial situation that was inherited. It’s a difficult challenge for everybody, we just hope they’re behind us, that will give us the best chance.
“This situation is hopefully going to be cleared up and then it’s eyes down, we’ve really got to focus, not be in the papers for the wrong reasons and concentrate on doing what we can to stay in the division.”
Wanderers will be without Joe Wiliams (thigh) and Yanic Wildschut (ankle) with Gary O’Neil also a doubt after an Achilles issue. New permanent signing Remi Matthews could start ahead of Ben Alnwick, who has a hip injury.
Ken Anderson has also requested that fan protests planned before tonight’s game against West Brom do not take place.
Writing on the official website the Bolton chairman voiced his concern that the pre-match march could portray the club in a negative light.
“I sincerely hope the planned protests being driven by a small minority on social media, some fans’ forums and the local media do not take place as I believe they could be a distraction to the team and won’t help the cause.
“Hopefully, the small minority taking part will see the negativity this protest will bring to the club and decide there are better ways to achieve their aims and at this time it would be far more beneficial to send positive messages to the players and management and get behind the team.”
Wanderers have warned fans that there will be extra security at the turnstiles to prevent dangerous objects being brought into the ground and that any banners which are taken into the stands must have a valid fire safety certificate.
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Tensions are high as Bolton host West Bromwich Albion, with demonstrations against the club’s owner Ken Anderson planned around the University of Bolton Stadium prior to kick-off.
Parkinson has found himself in the familiar position of attempting to keep his players’ focus on the pitch, rather than the distractions around it. In a heartfelt request directly to supporters on the eve of the game, the Wanderers boss urged all involved tonight to put differences aside once the game begins.
“This club belongs to the supporters,” he told The Bolton News. “They know the importance of the next 18 games. We’ve got to do everything on the training ground to get the best out of the team we’ve got and to add to that the supporters have got to do everything they can to support the team and help us win games of football.
“Last time we went down we got straight back up - but that might not happen again - and this is so important, we’ve still got a realistic chance of staying in the division, we’re still alive and kicking and fighting for every single point and we need the support of everybody.
“Words can’t really change what the supporters are planning to do or take away the negativity that they’re feeling. It’s just that this club has seen a big turnaround in the last two years in terms of all the problems in and around the club and the financial situation that was inherited. It’s a difficult challenge for everybody, we just hope they’re behind us, that will give us the best chance.
“This situation is hopefully going to be cleared up and then it’s eyes down, we’ve really got to focus, not be in the papers for the wrong reasons and concentrate on doing what we can to stay in the division.”
Wanderers will be without Joe Wiliams (thigh) and Yanic Wildschut (ankle) with Gary O’Neil also a doubt after an Achilles issue. New permanent signing Remi Matthews could start ahead of Ben Alnwick, who has a hip injury.
Ken Anderson has also requested that fan protests planned before tonight’s game against West Brom do not take place.
Writing on the official website the Bolton chairman voiced his concern that the pre-match march could portray the club in a negative light.
“I sincerely hope the planned protests being driven by a small minority on social media, some fans’ forums and the local media do not take place as I believe they could be a distraction to the team and won’t help the cause.
“Hopefully, the small minority taking part will see the negativity this protest will bring to the club and decide there are better ways to achieve their aims and at this time it would be far more beneficial to send positive messages to the players and management and get behind the team.”
Wanderers have warned fans that there will be extra security at the turnstiles to prevent dangerous objects being brought into the ground and that any banners which are taken into the stands must have a valid fire safety certificate.
Source