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Nathan Baxter’s name is at the start of Wanderers’ catchy new chant – and even the goalkeeper can’t get it out of his head.
The Bolton fans who managed to get a ticket for Oakwell made plenty of noise as Ian Evatt’s side ensured they would head into the second leg with a two-goal lead.
“I did listen to the original, I actually think the Bolton song is better,” Baxter grinned. “The way they sang it was great, I enjoyed listening to it.
“I was trying to work out in my head whether I had heard it before but then I thought, ‘You have got to concentrate on the game, stop worrying about what the fans’ are singing!’
“The support at this football club is one of the reasons why I wanted to come here. It is not like your run of the mill League One club, the fanbase is huge here and passionate.
“At times that can be challenging but as a player, you want that challenge. All the huge clubs in the world, that is what they have. We love that as players and that is why we are all here.”
The Bolton goalkeeper made a brilliant stop to keep out Adam Phillips’ header during the second half. It came at a key stage of the game as the hosts cranked up the pressure in search of an equaliser.
“It was a nice moment for me,” Baxter reflected. “It was at an important time in the game so really pleasing for me.
“We just have to re-focus and go again on Tuesday, it is a bit of a cliché but it is only half time. Even if we get through tomorrow, it is not the time to celebrate yet.
“We all know what we want to do so we just have to stay calm and try to do the job.”
The shot stopper added: “I watched the video of the save. The angle from behind the goal, I have watched it quite a few times!
“But that has been and gone now. In my position, you have to stay focused if you make a mistake or great save because you are only one moment away.
“It is really important that you don’t get too high when you play well and don’t get too low when you don’t.”
Wanderers will have the home crowd behind them this time around, and Baxter is determined to make sure they don’t let Barnsley back into the tie.
“As players, you want to play in big games and occasions. I think we are all really excited. We are calm after Friday night, we have recovered now and are ready to go,” he said.
“The way they play, they are obviously going to try to start games quickly. They scored out of nothing, and that is the way football is.
“The supporters always get up when that happens and the atmosphere gives them a bit of confidence. From our point of view, it is important we don’t give them a leg up.
“But if that does happen, we must stay calm and collectively ride that wave. They are going to have periods where they play well because they are a good side, they got in the play-offs for the reason.
“We have drawn with them over two games already this season so there is not loads between us. It is just important that we focus on what we can do and treat it like a normal game rather than thinking we have an advantage.”
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