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Keith Hill says Bolton’s poor form is a “major concern” but that the performance in defeat at MK Dons was largely to his satisfaction.
Rhys Healey’s 68th minute goal was enough to earn Russell Martin’s Dons three points, and leave Wanderers – who have now won just one of their last 12 – licking their wounds once more.
Daryl Murphy had a golden opportunity just a couple of minutes before the home side took the lead – but Hill reckons the way his team was sliced open for Healey’s goal was his only disappointment on the day.
“I was reasonably happy with the content of the performance, knowing what we were facing,” he said.
“I thought we contained well. We should have had more composure in the final third because there were turnovers where we could have taken advantage.
“I was more than happy with the organisation. But we conceded a goal from a passing mistake and been exposed and that’s the one disappointment from my point of view.
“I thought we contained the opposition and had one or two opportunities – not everything is going to sparkle. It gives us a platform I believe, with the players I am trying to get back. Ali Crawford did 60 minutes, Jacob Mellis has to a certain degree.
“I have to try and pick a team for Tuesday that isn’t fatigued.”
Wanderers are 20 points adrift of safety and have taken just four points from 24 since the turn of the year.
Hill said: “It is a major concern but it was always going to be a concern.
“You can’t predict a run like this but you do understand it might happen.
“It was a difficult January, there is no question about that. Falling off the back of being beaten by Burton we have never really recovered. We are still playing catch-up with the team but it’s all about results and they are not good enough.
“There’s hope, effort and desire, there’s still a lot of hunger in the changing room to represent our supporters.
“You have to go through hard times, bad runs, players, managers and football clubs do.
“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I get inspired by recoveries and the beginning of a new era, working with the players we’ve got and trying to win every day. Unfortunately it’s still a results business and I am not being judged on the work I am doing for the future, it’s right here, right now. The results would reflect to a certain degree the predicament we’re in.
“Is it going to change any time soon? I’d certainly hope so. We plan every week to be successful, we train to win, but we’re in a difficult situation as a football club and as a team. Will it recover? Yes. One hundred per cent.
“It’s hard to see – but this is where you start figuring our who’s with you and who’s not with you.”
Source
Rhys Healey’s 68th minute goal was enough to earn Russell Martin’s Dons three points, and leave Wanderers – who have now won just one of their last 12 – licking their wounds once more.
Daryl Murphy had a golden opportunity just a couple of minutes before the home side took the lead – but Hill reckons the way his team was sliced open for Healey’s goal was his only disappointment on the day.
“I was reasonably happy with the content of the performance, knowing what we were facing,” he said.
“I thought we contained well. We should have had more composure in the final third because there were turnovers where we could have taken advantage.
“I was more than happy with the organisation. But we conceded a goal from a passing mistake and been exposed and that’s the one disappointment from my point of view.
“I thought we contained the opposition and had one or two opportunities – not everything is going to sparkle. It gives us a platform I believe, with the players I am trying to get back. Ali Crawford did 60 minutes, Jacob Mellis has to a certain degree.
“I have to try and pick a team for Tuesday that isn’t fatigued.”
Wanderers are 20 points adrift of safety and have taken just four points from 24 since the turn of the year.
Hill said: “It is a major concern but it was always going to be a concern.
“You can’t predict a run like this but you do understand it might happen.
“It was a difficult January, there is no question about that. Falling off the back of being beaten by Burton we have never really recovered. We are still playing catch-up with the team but it’s all about results and they are not good enough.
“There’s hope, effort and desire, there’s still a lot of hunger in the changing room to represent our supporters.
“You have to go through hard times, bad runs, players, managers and football clubs do.
“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I get inspired by recoveries and the beginning of a new era, working with the players we’ve got and trying to win every day. Unfortunately it’s still a results business and I am not being judged on the work I am doing for the future, it’s right here, right now. The results would reflect to a certain degree the predicament we’re in.
“Is it going to change any time soon? I’d certainly hope so. We plan every week to be successful, we train to win, but we’re in a difficult situation as a football club and as a team. Will it recover? Yes. One hundred per cent.
“It’s hard to see – but this is where you start figuring our who’s with you and who’s not with you.”
Source
Last edited by karlypants on Sun Feb 23 2020, 17:55; edited 1 time in total