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Jack Hobbs feels Wanderers will have nothing to lose when they go to Bramall Lane tomorrow.
Few will expect Phil Parkinson’s side to produce a repeat of last season’s dramatic visit to the red half of the Steel City, when Gary Madine scored to end a long, long wait for a Championship away win.
A Bolton team hadn’t won on the road in this division for 999 days until December 30, 2017, but the shock result capped a run of festive results which ultimately saved the club from relegation.
Wanderers find themselves in a similar underdog position before this weekend’s game but Hobbs reckons the fact most footballing folk will write them off could work in their favour on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a case of going and having a go,” said the defender. “What have we got to lose?
“They are going to be big favourites for the game but I think we have to go down swinging and try to get something from it.
“A lot of the top teams we’ve played this season we’ve been in the game. It has been a one or two-goal swing either way, we haven't been outclassed.
“If we can stay solid, create a couple of chances, be strong at set pieces then hopefully we can pick something up.”
Hobbs’ late goal against Reading on Tuesday night saved a point in a game Parkinson’s side could ill-afford to lose.
It was the centre-back’s first in nearly six years and brought the memories flooding back about his previous strike.
“It was against Derby for Forest, it was a sweet one,” he smiled. “It felt amazing. I’m gutted I don’t score more.
“It’s been a few years since my last one and I don’t get many but thankfully I was right place, right time and the ball from Sammy was bang on, had all the pace on it, and I just had to redirect it. The keeper got a hand to it but luckily it went in. I’m thrilled to get a goal, especially an important one.”
After the unpredictable atmosphere of Tuesday night, Hobbs and the Wanderers squad may welcome a chance to get back on the road.
The reaction to Luca Connell’s substitution in the second half summed up the simmering anger which has been evident at the University of Bolton Stadium – but Hobbs feels the squad have the character to cope.
“It was a bit frustrating. We have to keep going as a set of lads,” he said.
“As simple as it sounds we just have to try our best, give our fans something to cheer about, really. It was difficult and there’s obviously a lot of frustration everywhere.
“It’s a decision the gaffer made for the benefit of the team and to try and win the game, ultimately. Pritch came on and we just get on with it, try to get a result from the game. It’s a shame there were a lot of boos.
“We have been on a bad run of form and things feel like they have gone against us a bit, I hope it can be seen that everyone is giving it all and going right to the end.”
Wanderers have won just once in their last 19 league games but as Parkinson prepared to try and add to his squad, and in particular his attack on the final day of the transfer window he claims the character of his side can still be an important factor in guiding the club to safety.
Injuries forced his hand somewhat in selecting his team against Reading but the Bolton boss is hoping the queue for the treatment room will be shorter by the end of the week.
"I am proud of them," he said of the fightback against Reading. "You don't get back into that game unless you have got something about you, so now we have to recover properly and regroup for the Sheffield United game.
"There will be one or two who were not with us who might be involved – Marc Wilson, Mark Beevers it might be too soon for them – Ben Alnwick might be OK.
“I think Remi Mathews did well. He just had that one moment where he gave the foul away but his handling was good, his kicking was good. We will have a head count and pick a team we think can get us a result at Bramall Lane."
Wanderers start the day two points from safety and could climb out of the bottom three if they beat the Blades and Rotherham fail to claim three points at Millwall.
Reading, who sit one place and one point above Bolton, host Aston Villa at the Madejski.
Source
Few will expect Phil Parkinson’s side to produce a repeat of last season’s dramatic visit to the red half of the Steel City, when Gary Madine scored to end a long, long wait for a Championship away win.
A Bolton team hadn’t won on the road in this division for 999 days until December 30, 2017, but the shock result capped a run of festive results which ultimately saved the club from relegation.
Wanderers find themselves in a similar underdog position before this weekend’s game but Hobbs reckons the fact most footballing folk will write them off could work in their favour on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a case of going and having a go,” said the defender. “What have we got to lose?
“They are going to be big favourites for the game but I think we have to go down swinging and try to get something from it.
“A lot of the top teams we’ve played this season we’ve been in the game. It has been a one or two-goal swing either way, we haven't been outclassed.
“If we can stay solid, create a couple of chances, be strong at set pieces then hopefully we can pick something up.”
Hobbs’ late goal against Reading on Tuesday night saved a point in a game Parkinson’s side could ill-afford to lose.
It was the centre-back’s first in nearly six years and brought the memories flooding back about his previous strike.
“It was against Derby for Forest, it was a sweet one,” he smiled. “It felt amazing. I’m gutted I don’t score more.
“It’s been a few years since my last one and I don’t get many but thankfully I was right place, right time and the ball from Sammy was bang on, had all the pace on it, and I just had to redirect it. The keeper got a hand to it but luckily it went in. I’m thrilled to get a goal, especially an important one.”
After the unpredictable atmosphere of Tuesday night, Hobbs and the Wanderers squad may welcome a chance to get back on the road.
The reaction to Luca Connell’s substitution in the second half summed up the simmering anger which has been evident at the University of Bolton Stadium – but Hobbs feels the squad have the character to cope.
“It was a bit frustrating. We have to keep going as a set of lads,” he said.
“As simple as it sounds we just have to try our best, give our fans something to cheer about, really. It was difficult and there’s obviously a lot of frustration everywhere.
“It’s a decision the gaffer made for the benefit of the team and to try and win the game, ultimately. Pritch came on and we just get on with it, try to get a result from the game. It’s a shame there were a lot of boos.
“We have been on a bad run of form and things feel like they have gone against us a bit, I hope it can be seen that everyone is giving it all and going right to the end.”
Wanderers have won just once in their last 19 league games but as Parkinson prepared to try and add to his squad, and in particular his attack on the final day of the transfer window he claims the character of his side can still be an important factor in guiding the club to safety.
Injuries forced his hand somewhat in selecting his team against Reading but the Bolton boss is hoping the queue for the treatment room will be shorter by the end of the week.
"I am proud of them," he said of the fightback against Reading. "You don't get back into that game unless you have got something about you, so now we have to recover properly and regroup for the Sheffield United game.
"There will be one or two who were not with us who might be involved – Marc Wilson, Mark Beevers it might be too soon for them – Ben Alnwick might be OK.
“I think Remi Mathews did well. He just had that one moment where he gave the foul away but his handling was good, his kicking was good. We will have a head count and pick a team we think can get us a result at Bramall Lane."
Wanderers start the day two points from safety and could climb out of the bottom three if they beat the Blades and Rotherham fail to claim three points at Millwall.
Reading, who sit one place and one point above Bolton, host Aston Villa at the Madejski.
Source
