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Keith Hill wants Wanderers’ hard work on the training ground to translate into goals after the international break.
Back in action against Rochdale on Saturday, Bolton have hit the back of the net just twice in their opening 10 league games.
Hill felt there were some signs of attacking progress in the last outing against Blackpool, despite drawing a blank in front of goal, but now wants to see the end result of the players’ labours.
“Goalscoring opportunities, creative passes, they all have to improve if we are going to start winning games regularly,” he told The Bolton News. “We want wave after wave of them instead of maybe five or six on target and maybe half again off-target. We’re averaging roughly the right amount of shots but, potentially, we need more on target.
“Our general analysis of the games show we are improving. We can be more creative, show more intent in the attacking third of the pitch. I’d like to see that.
“I am not just talking about strikers. I want goals from midfield, the wingers, the centre-halves. Everyone takes that responsibility.
“We can see things evolving on the training pitch as the players gradually get in tune and I think we’re getting a lot closer to where we need to be.”
Quite understandably, Wanderers have been a more potent attacking prospect since Hill’s arrival, when he was able to bring in a raft of senior players to boost the squad.
During the first five games of the season the team registered 23 shots on goal, with three on target. That total has risen to 52 shots over the previous five games, with 16 on target.
Hill is confident he can get more from the squad he has available.
“There are players who I don’t have to teach. Daryl Murphy, Jake Wright, Liam Bridcutt – they are the guiders who are looking to continue their career,” he said.
“They are very good because no matter what environment they are in, they’ll embrace it. They have been there, seen it, done it.
“They have got to guide the young players on our behalf as well. I think there’s two-thirds of this squad that me and Flicker can genuinely improve as footballers.
“I think we’re getting the right balance.”
Source
Back in action against Rochdale on Saturday, Bolton have hit the back of the net just twice in their opening 10 league games.
Hill felt there were some signs of attacking progress in the last outing against Blackpool, despite drawing a blank in front of goal, but now wants to see the end result of the players’ labours.
“Goalscoring opportunities, creative passes, they all have to improve if we are going to start winning games regularly,” he told The Bolton News. “We want wave after wave of them instead of maybe five or six on target and maybe half again off-target. We’re averaging roughly the right amount of shots but, potentially, we need more on target.
“Our general analysis of the games show we are improving. We can be more creative, show more intent in the attacking third of the pitch. I’d like to see that.
“I am not just talking about strikers. I want goals from midfield, the wingers, the centre-halves. Everyone takes that responsibility.
“We can see things evolving on the training pitch as the players gradually get in tune and I think we’re getting a lot closer to where we need to be.”
Quite understandably, Wanderers have been a more potent attacking prospect since Hill’s arrival, when he was able to bring in a raft of senior players to boost the squad.
During the first five games of the season the team registered 23 shots on goal, with three on target. That total has risen to 52 shots over the previous five games, with 16 on target.
Hill is confident he can get more from the squad he has available.
“There are players who I don’t have to teach. Daryl Murphy, Jake Wright, Liam Bridcutt – they are the guiders who are looking to continue their career,” he said.
“They are very good because no matter what environment they are in, they’ll embrace it. They have been there, seen it, done it.
“They have got to guide the young players on our behalf as well. I think there’s two-thirds of this squad that me and Flicker can genuinely improve as footballers.
“I think we’re getting the right balance.”
Source