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Ian Evatt maintains that Peterborough United and Derby County are under more pressure than his own side as the play-off race enters into the final furlong.
Wanderers know that victory in their game in hand against Accrington Stanley tomorrow night would mean they require just two more points to be mathematically certain of a top six spot.
Expectation is high, with Stanley struggling near the foot of the table having lost eight of their last nine games, conceding 22 goals in the process.
But the mood was a relaxed one at Lostock this morning, as the Bolton boss shrugged off the suggestion that a play-off position was Bolton’s to lose.
“It has been a marathon but it is in our hands and that is what we wanted,” he said.
“Now isn’t the time to back off, it is a time to keep our foot on the gas, to keep going as best we can.
“For us it is a privilege. I’d much rather be where we are than where Accrington are – that’s real pressure.
“We have earned it, worked very hard to progress, but now we are on the home straight it is time to kick on, not relax.
“If there is pressure, we are fifth. So, in my view, sixth and seventh are under more pressure.
“We have to embrace it and we can all play a part in that. We have to be relaxed, the fans need to back us and be calm and relaxed, get behind the team, and then we will do what we can to get the points we need to make the play-offs. After that, it is anyone’s game.”
Though Wanderers will be heavy favourites on Tuesday night, Evatt has warned in the strongest possible terms against complacency.
“You’d expect it from Accrington generally but when they are fighting for their lives you expect them to be highly motivated, determined, aggressive, intense and to work extremely hard. The bare minimum is that we match all those things and then hopefully take over with our quality,” he said.
“We should never view any game as a given – and this is far from that. We need to make sure we concentrate, match everything they throw at us and then step up to the plate with our quality.”
If Bolton manage to beat Accrington, a win in their third successive home game, against Fleetwood on Saturday, would mean they head to Bristol Rovers on the last day of the season with a play-off place secured.
Evatt felt comfortable on the touchline as his side beat Shrewsbury 1-0 on Saturday but admits there have been some nervier moments over the last few weeks. But he remains confident his team is capable of getting themselves across the finishing line to extend their season.
“Saturday the scoreline flattered them, to be perfectly honest, we dominated the entirely of the game and created loads of chances second half, we were patient first half,” he said.
“There have been times we have just had to find the way to win but I think you can look at all the top teams at some stage of the season, it is not always going to be nice, you’ll have to grind sometimes. Our results since Wembley have been exceptional, which speaks volumes of the mentality of the group.
“There are two big home games to come, so fingers crossed we can get the points required to not have to go into the last game needing a result.”
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