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Matt Gilks has warned Wanderers to expect no pity from Crawley Town in Saturday’s must-win season finale.
Though Bolton’s dressing room was hit hard by defeat against Exeter City, the experienced keeper is confident an automatic promotion place can still be earned if the players’ mindset is right at the People’s Pension Stadium.
Only a victory for Ian Evatt’s Whites would guarantee a top-three spot and a return to League One.
Crawley, currently sitting 12th, are protecting a top-half finish but have little else riding on the outcome.
Gilks believes the lack of pressure makes John Yems’ side dangerous opponents as they look to wrap up a league double.
“It is a danger because they play with a bit more freedom and there is nothing on it for them so they can try things they wouldn’t normally do,” he said. “That is always a danger and I can’t see them rolling over because Bolton are coming to town, they are going to spoil our party, while we want to make one.
“It will be a tough game regardless, so hopefully we can just get the three points sorted.
“We have to pretend there are 10 games to go, prepare for Crawley with the right mindset. It is a game we need to win to get to where we want to be.”
Evatt has gone over elements of Saturday’s second-half slump with his players but is now looking to put emphasis on a positive performance at Crawley which better exemplifies the improvement his team has made since the turn of the year.
Gilks admits the dressing room was a solemn place on Saturday evening and he hopes the disappointment can fuel a reaction.
“It was the lowest I have seen by far,” he said. “We had some dark days in the first few months. I think I cleared by desk once over – but that was a body blow, everyone felt that.
“We have to take from it what we can and use it to spur us on now for Saturday.
“There are always bumps in the road, always, especially here this season. What we have got over, and we’re still getting over, it was never going to be easy.
“That is the league and what promotion is – ups and downs – but we have to dust ourselves down now and get ready for the weekend.”
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Though Bolton’s dressing room was hit hard by defeat against Exeter City, the experienced keeper is confident an automatic promotion place can still be earned if the players’ mindset is right at the People’s Pension Stadium.
Only a victory for Ian Evatt’s Whites would guarantee a top-three spot and a return to League One.
Crawley, currently sitting 12th, are protecting a top-half finish but have little else riding on the outcome.
Gilks believes the lack of pressure makes John Yems’ side dangerous opponents as they look to wrap up a league double.
“It is a danger because they play with a bit more freedom and there is nothing on it for them so they can try things they wouldn’t normally do,” he said. “That is always a danger and I can’t see them rolling over because Bolton are coming to town, they are going to spoil our party, while we want to make one.
“It will be a tough game regardless, so hopefully we can just get the three points sorted.
“We have to pretend there are 10 games to go, prepare for Crawley with the right mindset. It is a game we need to win to get to where we want to be.”
Evatt has gone over elements of Saturday’s second-half slump with his players but is now looking to put emphasis on a positive performance at Crawley which better exemplifies the improvement his team has made since the turn of the year.
Gilks admits the dressing room was a solemn place on Saturday evening and he hopes the disappointment can fuel a reaction.
“It was the lowest I have seen by far,” he said. “We had some dark days in the first few months. I think I cleared by desk once over – but that was a body blow, everyone felt that.
“We have to take from it what we can and use it to spur us on now for Saturday.
“There are always bumps in the road, always, especially here this season. What we have got over, and we’re still getting over, it was never going to be easy.
“That is the league and what promotion is – ups and downs – but we have to dust ourselves down now and get ready for the weekend.”
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