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Joel Dixon knows the pressure is on Wanderers to make their next two home games count.
Faltering form has undone some of the early promise shown by Ian Evatt’s men after their promotion to League One, and they will welcome Doncaster Rovers to the UniBol on Tuesday night placed 13th in the table. Cheltenham – champions of League Two last term – follow at the weekend.
Evatt appealed to fans after the 1-0 defeat at Wycombe to “keep a sense of perspective” with regards to the club’s current sticky patch – accelerated, no doubt, by injuries to key players which have cut deep into a shallow squad.
But after embarrassments against Wigan at home, and Stockport in the cup, there is a sense that Evatt and his team are treading a fine line, and that their cause could be helped massively by a couple of positive home results.
“We are down to the bare bones, it’s us against everyone at the minute so the only thing we can do is keep going,” said keeper, Dixon, who did as much as anyone at Wycombe to try and salvage a result.
“We have got two big home games coming up now, so we have to be ready.
“The advantage is with us now. They are the games we have to be winning. We are favourites, so we have to make sure.”
After shipping five at Edgeley Park a few nights earlier, there was more resolve in Wanderers’ defensive work at Wycombe.
Dixon felt his side deserved more from the game.
“We had chances to go ahead and we were unlucky with what we got in the end,” he said.
“We needed a reaction and we knew it would be tough coming here.
“The way they play is direct and we had to stand up to that first, and we did.”
Having saved a first-half penalty from Anis Mehmeti, the Bolton keeper had every right to be disappointed his efforts did not count towards at least a point.
He also revealed after the game that he was well-prepared on where the Wycombe man might aim.
“We do our homework, so we had a god idea where it would go,” he said. “I work with Andy (Fairman) and Ducky (Lewis Duckmanton) looking at where pens have gone previously.”
Dixon had previously faced two penalties in a Wanderers shirt prior to the Wycombe game, and though AFC Wimbledon’s Aaron Pressley did manage to find a way past him, Shrewsbury’s Ryan Bowman did not on October 2.
“Again, that comes down to the work we do. Looking at what the percentages are, where is best for us to go,” he added.
Dixon signed for Wanderers from Barrow in the summer having already worked with Evatt and Peter Atherton in their successful National League run.
He started the season behind Matt Gilks but took on the number one spot in the second week and has not missed a league game since.
Well versed in the type of football Evatt has brought to Bolton, including a devotion to playing the ball out from the back which places great demands on the goalkeeping position, Dixon says he has enjoyed the start he has made at the UniBol.
“I know the way he wants to play, so that gave me a head start,” he said. “I enjoy working with him and Pete.
“If we can keep hold of possession, the lads don’t have to chase to win it back. We can dominate games. It’s better for us.
“But the club is huge, the training facilities are brilliant, and everything to do with the club is professional. I am loving every minute of it.”
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