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Aaron Collins believes Wanderers must take control of their own destiny as they bid to make it third time lucky after two near misses on promotion from League One.
The Bolton striker says he has moved past the play-off final failure in May as Ian Evatt’s side prepare for their season opener at Leyton Orient this weekend.
Pre-season performances have generally been positive as the manager bedded in five new players and juggled a series of minor injuries, and Collins insists there have been no signs of a hangover as the squad prepares for a brand new campaign.
“I think summer was hard, it is tough to go into that after such a let-down,” he told The Bolton News.
“But we have been knocking on the door. The lads got to the semis the season before I got here, last year it was the final.
“The gaffer hit the nail on the head – we have been knocking at the door and now it is time to kick the door down. We need to go and do what we need to do.
“There’s no point being negative and dwelling on it, because it won’t do us any good at all. You can use disappointment to your advantage sometimes.
“We have to focus on the right things, go and get the job done.”
Collins had to miss the home game against Stoke City with a minor injury but returned with a second-minute goal in the 3-0 win at Port Vale.
“It was a bit of a bone bruise, so I missed Stoke just as a precaution, there was no point rushing back,” he said. “Back in today and got 70 minutes ready for next week.
“I think we’re looking good. Today was mainly getting some minutes in the legs but also finishing pre-season on a win, getting goals in, keeping a clean sheet even better, all going into Leyton Orient next weekend.”
Wanderers have changed their plan of attack for the new campaign, altering their formation to a front three and their pressing strategies out of possession to give themselves a slightly different look going into the new season.
Collins has been asked to play a new role, dropping in behind the central striker to play as one of two ‘number 10s’ but he feels pre-season has been a good testing ground for the changes.
“Everyone has seen we have had a little change in formation, different way we are going to press, different way of playing – we are all getting used to that,” he added.
“Obviously, there are lads coming in too like Szabi (Szabolcs Schön) at left wing-back, Klaidi (Lolos) at 10 and Scotty (Arfield) as well.
“We have had a lot of players coming in and learning new roles so there are bound to be spells where we have struggled a little bit but the longer it goes on, the better we become.
“I think we will carry that on now and hopefully start the season off well and get to where we want to be.”
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