Home
Wanderers skipper Antoni Sarcevic has called for one final push to complete an unprecedented promotion.
The talismanic midfielder made his comeback from injury as a substitute in a dramatic 1-0 win at Morecambe on Saturday, which left Bolton just one victory away from a return to League One.
Sarcevic was part of a side sitting 20th in the table on February 6 before embarking on an incredible run of results to leave them two points off the top of the table with two games remaining.
Having gained promotions from this division with Plymouth and Fleetwood earlier in his career, Sarcevic is in no doubt that a hat-trick with Bolton Wanderers would be the crowning glory.
“Me and Doyler have a little chuckle about it being the greatest sporting achievement,” he told The Bolton News. “These things happen so rarely in football and you have to enjoy it because I don’t think I will get another one in my career to be honest, so I hope we can get it done for the club.
“That was a massive result. The mood is very good but it isn’t done yet. We made sure everyone knows that there is still a massive game to come on Saturday but it’s an exciting one for everyone involved in the club and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
Ben Jackson’s goal in first-half stoppage time proved the difference as Morecambe – who had Kelvin Mellor sent off – proved just as stubborn opponents as Ian Evatt had predicted.
Wanderers won their 17th game of the season by a single goal and while the team seems intent on keeping supporters on the edge of their seat all season, Sarcevic is just happy to keep the points column ticking over.
“I’d take two more one-nils, all day, 100 per cent,” he said. “Anyone can say ‘win three or four’ but it shows how good our back four and keeper are, we can trust them, they can trust us. It’s a team effort.”
Wanderers were also backed by a huge following of fans who travelled to Morecambe to cheer their heroes into the car park, then back out on the road to Bolton after the final whistle.
Evatt asked his players to walk over and applaud supporters before boarding the team bus – with chairman Sharon Brittan also getting a rousing reception as she left the stadium.
“We got wind of it. The stature of this club… It’s what you sign for,” Sarcevic said. “It is what you want to be a part of. I’m glad we did it for them, and I want to get it done on Saturday.”
Sarcevic missed eight games of the run-in but was relieved to be back out on the pitch after replacing George Thomason in the second half.
The captain has travelled with the squad home and away despite not being able to play – and admits he is not the best spectator.
“It has been frustrating. I am the worst at watching. The lads have been great barring a couple of little results but we are still right up there to get the job done,” he said.
“The gaffer said I have been doing the physio’s head in, pushing a few sessions in there, but I trained well this week and the gaffer had the faith in me to come on off the bench to help the lads.
“When I first got the hamstring injury I’d feared the worse and thought I’d be out all season but the gaffer wanted me to be a part of it.
“He didn’t need to say it, I wanted to be a part of it, but I have travelled everywhere and it has been enjoyable, really. It is a good squad and I am just glad I could get back a bit earlier and get it done.”
Source
The talismanic midfielder made his comeback from injury as a substitute in a dramatic 1-0 win at Morecambe on Saturday, which left Bolton just one victory away from a return to League One.
Sarcevic was part of a side sitting 20th in the table on February 6 before embarking on an incredible run of results to leave them two points off the top of the table with two games remaining.
Having gained promotions from this division with Plymouth and Fleetwood earlier in his career, Sarcevic is in no doubt that a hat-trick with Bolton Wanderers would be the crowning glory.
“Me and Doyler have a little chuckle about it being the greatest sporting achievement,” he told The Bolton News. “These things happen so rarely in football and you have to enjoy it because I don’t think I will get another one in my career to be honest, so I hope we can get it done for the club.
“That was a massive result. The mood is very good but it isn’t done yet. We made sure everyone knows that there is still a massive game to come on Saturday but it’s an exciting one for everyone involved in the club and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
Ben Jackson’s goal in first-half stoppage time proved the difference as Morecambe – who had Kelvin Mellor sent off – proved just as stubborn opponents as Ian Evatt had predicted.
Wanderers won their 17th game of the season by a single goal and while the team seems intent on keeping supporters on the edge of their seat all season, Sarcevic is just happy to keep the points column ticking over.
“I’d take two more one-nils, all day, 100 per cent,” he said. “Anyone can say ‘win three or four’ but it shows how good our back four and keeper are, we can trust them, they can trust us. It’s a team effort.”
Wanderers were also backed by a huge following of fans who travelled to Morecambe to cheer their heroes into the car park, then back out on the road to Bolton after the final whistle.
Evatt asked his players to walk over and applaud supporters before boarding the team bus – with chairman Sharon Brittan also getting a rousing reception as she left the stadium.
“We got wind of it. The stature of this club… It’s what you sign for,” Sarcevic said. “It is what you want to be a part of. I’m glad we did it for them, and I want to get it done on Saturday.”
Sarcevic missed eight games of the run-in but was relieved to be back out on the pitch after replacing George Thomason in the second half.
The captain has travelled with the squad home and away despite not being able to play – and admits he is not the best spectator.
“It has been frustrating. I am the worst at watching. The lads have been great barring a couple of little results but we are still right up there to get the job done,” he said.
“The gaffer said I have been doing the physio’s head in, pushing a few sessions in there, but I trained well this week and the gaffer had the faith in me to come on off the bench to help the lads.
“When I first got the hamstring injury I’d feared the worse and thought I’d be out all season but the gaffer wanted me to be a part of it.
“He didn’t need to say it, I wanted to be a part of it, but I have travelled everywhere and it has been enjoyable, really. It is a good squad and I am just glad I could get back a bit earlier and get it done.”
Source