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In Jason Lowe’s own words, the FA Cup defeat against Plymouth was a “humbler” but the Wanderers skipper is keen to put one poor showing into context.
Keith Hill’s side never got into their stride at the UniBol on Saturday, a 1-0 defeat meaning they miss out on the significant financial rewards the competition can offer in the later rounds.
The result also put a dent in a three-game winning run which served as a reminder of the progress Bolton were making in a new era on and off the pitch.
But as Lowe points out, getting into positive points on Saturday with a victory against MK Dons would be a landmark the dressing room has been itching to achieve.
“Would I swap three points on Saturday for a defeat in the cup? In reality I would,” he told The Bolton News. “If you are putting a gun to my head, yes.
“The flip side is that you want to win every game, it breeds confidence, the feelgood factor on Monday morning after a win is great. This week we need a reaction and to be at it for Saturday against MK Dons.
“We’d put together a nice little run but you are going to have games when it’s just not clicking over the course of a season, for whatever reason, and it felt like that against Plymouth. Huffing and puffing but we couldn’t get into any proper rhythm.
“It’s a day we’ll reflect on – a bit of a humbler considering the journey we’ve been on in the last few games but we’ll dust ourselves down and put it right.”
Wanderers’ relative lack of creativity on Saturday left many looking towards the players who were not available for Hill – including Thibaud Verlinden, who was withdrawn from the squad by his parent club Stoke so as not to be cup-tied in later rounds.
Despite a mounting injury list, Lowe feels the consistent improvement shown in the last three months will continue.
“We are not going to make excuses,” he said. “You try every week, every game, and as human beings you’ll have peaks and troughs.
“We didn’t get to the level we had in the last few weeks, and maybe longer than that because games like Portsmouth away we were good in large spells.
“I think since the manager came in we’ve been good. You want to win all the time and build on confidence and maybe the only positive we take is that we can now focus solely on the league and clawing back those points.
“As disappointing as it is, that’s the reality.
“The spirit still needs to be high because there are loads of points to play for now. We need every one we can get.
“We won’t dwell on one defeat, we’ll move on and concentrate on the weekend.”
Connor Hall added to the casualty list on Saturday, limping out with a hamstring injury after his first taste of senior football for Bolton in more than a year.
Lowe said of the striker: “I’m disappointed for him. He’s a very eager lad and willing to listen and learn.
“He works really hard – like a dog with a bone in training and tries his heart out.
“I am sure he’ll do everything he can in his rehab now to make sure he will be back with us, in the squad and in the team.”
There have been changes in the backroom, too, with popular fitness coach Nick Allamby and goalkeeper coach Lee Butler reuniting with Phil Parkinson at Sunderland.
Lowe appealed for fans to keep a positive frame of mind for what could be an important weekend in the club’s fight against relegation.
“When I was younger people told me that football was like ships in the night, you just have to roll with it and buy into what the ultimate goal is at the club.
“We’re all pulling in the right direction, so nobody is getting down too much. A cup defeat is disappointing but we’ll not let that define our season.
“The fans come out in their numbers and pay their money so, of course, you want to send them home happy but next week is another opportunity, and with three points at stake.”
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Keith Hill’s side never got into their stride at the UniBol on Saturday, a 1-0 defeat meaning they miss out on the significant financial rewards the competition can offer in the later rounds.
The result also put a dent in a three-game winning run which served as a reminder of the progress Bolton were making in a new era on and off the pitch.
But as Lowe points out, getting into positive points on Saturday with a victory against MK Dons would be a landmark the dressing room has been itching to achieve.
“Would I swap three points on Saturday for a defeat in the cup? In reality I would,” he told The Bolton News. “If you are putting a gun to my head, yes.
“The flip side is that you want to win every game, it breeds confidence, the feelgood factor on Monday morning after a win is great. This week we need a reaction and to be at it for Saturday against MK Dons.
“We’d put together a nice little run but you are going to have games when it’s just not clicking over the course of a season, for whatever reason, and it felt like that against Plymouth. Huffing and puffing but we couldn’t get into any proper rhythm.
“It’s a day we’ll reflect on – a bit of a humbler considering the journey we’ve been on in the last few games but we’ll dust ourselves down and put it right.”
Wanderers’ relative lack of creativity on Saturday left many looking towards the players who were not available for Hill – including Thibaud Verlinden, who was withdrawn from the squad by his parent club Stoke so as not to be cup-tied in later rounds.
Despite a mounting injury list, Lowe feels the consistent improvement shown in the last three months will continue.
“We are not going to make excuses,” he said. “You try every week, every game, and as human beings you’ll have peaks and troughs.
“We didn’t get to the level we had in the last few weeks, and maybe longer than that because games like Portsmouth away we were good in large spells.
“I think since the manager came in we’ve been good. You want to win all the time and build on confidence and maybe the only positive we take is that we can now focus solely on the league and clawing back those points.
“As disappointing as it is, that’s the reality.
“The spirit still needs to be high because there are loads of points to play for now. We need every one we can get.
“We won’t dwell on one defeat, we’ll move on and concentrate on the weekend.”
Connor Hall added to the casualty list on Saturday, limping out with a hamstring injury after his first taste of senior football for Bolton in more than a year.
Lowe said of the striker: “I’m disappointed for him. He’s a very eager lad and willing to listen and learn.
“He works really hard – like a dog with a bone in training and tries his heart out.
“I am sure he’ll do everything he can in his rehab now to make sure he will be back with us, in the squad and in the team.”
There have been changes in the backroom, too, with popular fitness coach Nick Allamby and goalkeeper coach Lee Butler reuniting with Phil Parkinson at Sunderland.
Lowe appealed for fans to keep a positive frame of mind for what could be an important weekend in the club’s fight against relegation.
“When I was younger people told me that football was like ships in the night, you just have to roll with it and buy into what the ultimate goal is at the club.
“We’re all pulling in the right direction, so nobody is getting down too much. A cup defeat is disappointing but we’ll not let that define our season.
“The fans come out in their numbers and pay their money so, of course, you want to send them home happy but next week is another opportunity, and with three points at stake.”
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