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As the boos rang out after the final whistle on Tuesday night, home continued to look uncomfortable for Wanderers, but Dougie Freedman rejects the accusation that his side are playing “negative football” in front of their own fans.
Paul Dickov’s Doncaster Rovers are the latest side to come in search of points at the Reebok – currently one of the most hospitable places for opposing sides in the Championship.
Only Yeovil Town have picked up fewer points on home turf, and Millwall are the only side to go away empty-handed since April.
But speaking ahead of his side’s latest test tomorrow afternoon the Whites boss swatted away suggestions that his tactical approach is better suited to playing away.
Wanderers fans have voiced their displeasure in numbers at what they have seen to date at the Reebok – but the Scot insists his team are not setting out to put safety first.
“It’s not fair to call us negative at all,” he told The Bolton News. “If you look at the game against Millwall I’m pretty sure no-one would have been suggesting that then.
“If we had taken a chance or two against Huddersfield then no-one levels that accusation at you there.
“If you don’t take your chances at any level, you are not going to win. We’re creating opportunities but I felt the other night that it was the only time this season we’ve not been able to sustain pressure.
“It’s nothing to do with the set-up or the way we are playing. I don’t think it’s right to talk about one game – Huddersfield – you should look at the whole season, and in that I think our approach play has been good. But in the home games in particular, we have been guilty of not taking chances.
“You take one of them and it all looks rosier.
“Can it get better? Yes, of course it can. I know fans are frustrated because we didn’t win the game but you can’t accuse the players of not creating chances or not being committed to doing that.”
Freedman has come under heavy fire from many Wanderers fans, particularly on the social media sites, these last few days.
But while the Whites boss is happy for those who pay through the turnstiles to voice their approval or disapproval at how the team is faring, he is less considerate of those who criticise from afar.
“I know how it is - you get 15-20,000 fans, every one of them thinking they know best,” he said. “They pay their money, give their opinion and I’m really comfortable with that.
“It’s only right they come, pay their money, sing, don’t sing, get behind their team or don’t, it’s down to them.
“But all I can say to the fans is that I’m trying to play a different kind of style, to get a couple of younger players into the team, and that there is a goal; an end game.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel and it’s a bit tough to see at the minute, I understand that, but tweeting is a different level. Fans who pay their money are allowed to say what they want.”
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Paul Dickov’s Doncaster Rovers are the latest side to come in search of points at the Reebok – currently one of the most hospitable places for opposing sides in the Championship.
Only Yeovil Town have picked up fewer points on home turf, and Millwall are the only side to go away empty-handed since April.
But speaking ahead of his side’s latest test tomorrow afternoon the Whites boss swatted away suggestions that his tactical approach is better suited to playing away.
Wanderers fans have voiced their displeasure in numbers at what they have seen to date at the Reebok – but the Scot insists his team are not setting out to put safety first.
“It’s not fair to call us negative at all,” he told The Bolton News. “If you look at the game against Millwall I’m pretty sure no-one would have been suggesting that then.
“If we had taken a chance or two against Huddersfield then no-one levels that accusation at you there.
“If you don’t take your chances at any level, you are not going to win. We’re creating opportunities but I felt the other night that it was the only time this season we’ve not been able to sustain pressure.
“It’s nothing to do with the set-up or the way we are playing. I don’t think it’s right to talk about one game – Huddersfield – you should look at the whole season, and in that I think our approach play has been good. But in the home games in particular, we have been guilty of not taking chances.
“You take one of them and it all looks rosier.
“Can it get better? Yes, of course it can. I know fans are frustrated because we didn’t win the game but you can’t accuse the players of not creating chances or not being committed to doing that.”
Freedman has come under heavy fire from many Wanderers fans, particularly on the social media sites, these last few days.
But while the Whites boss is happy for those who pay through the turnstiles to voice their approval or disapproval at how the team is faring, he is less considerate of those who criticise from afar.
“I know how it is - you get 15-20,000 fans, every one of them thinking they know best,” he said. “They pay their money, give their opinion and I’m really comfortable with that.
“It’s only right they come, pay their money, sing, don’t sing, get behind their team or don’t, it’s down to them.
“But all I can say to the fans is that I’m trying to play a different kind of style, to get a couple of younger players into the team, and that there is a goal; an end game.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel and it’s a bit tough to see at the minute, I understand that, but tweeting is a different level. Fans who pay their money are allowed to say what they want.”
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