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Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman wants his players to pick up next season where they left off at the end of this campaign.
Wanderers began the season slowly, putting themselves out of promotion contention very early on.
However, their form towards the end of this campaign has given Freedman cause for optimism for the coming season.
Speaking in the wake of his side’s 2-2 draw with Birmingham City, Freedman told Bolton News: “It was a difficult start, we pulled it round a bit, it was difficult in the middle, but the second half of the season was very encouraging.
“If we show any sort of form like we have recently in the opening half of the season then we’ll be in the top six, simple as that.
“I’m fed up of watching celebrations for Birmingham and Leicester – I want that here.
“Our club deserves that. We have had a couple of difficult seasons, everyone included right from the chairman down to the players and myself.
“We do need a good start, we need the right people to stay fit and then we can break into the top six. I think we’ll be a force when that comes.”
Freedman was disappointed that his side did not hold on for the win at the Reebok Stadium, instead capitulating to a 93rd minute equaliser that dramatically secured the visitors’ Championship status.
He added: “I’m hurting massively because there were certain players who let themselves down – not as people, but in their performance.
“There were performances out there that I didn’t see coming.
“When you are 2-1 up and get numerous chances, three on two at the back, you’d like to think at least one of them would be taken.
“When you miss them it gives them (the opposition) more confidence and that then builds up, and builds up, and towards the end it was extremely disappointing to concede the second goal.”
Even at 2-1 up, Wanderers spurned chances to put the game and Birmingham’s Championship survival to bed. And so it was with a familiar air of resignation that Freedman reflected on another missed opportunity.
“We ground, worked hard for each other for about 75 minutes, but didn’t pass the ball well enough in their final third,” he said.
“We did okay out from the back but there was no penetration. When we went 2-0 up I thought we were a little bit lucky. I don’t think we deserved to be that far ahead.
“In the last 15 minutes they threw everything at us but ultimately it does sum us up – the home draw specialists – which is disappointing when you have been 2-0 up.”
Source
Wanderers began the season slowly, putting themselves out of promotion contention very early on.
However, their form towards the end of this campaign has given Freedman cause for optimism for the coming season.
Speaking in the wake of his side’s 2-2 draw with Birmingham City, Freedman told Bolton News: “It was a difficult start, we pulled it round a bit, it was difficult in the middle, but the second half of the season was very encouraging.
“If we show any sort of form like we have recently in the opening half of the season then we’ll be in the top six, simple as that.
“I’m fed up of watching celebrations for Birmingham and Leicester – I want that here.
“Our club deserves that. We have had a couple of difficult seasons, everyone included right from the chairman down to the players and myself.
“We do need a good start, we need the right people to stay fit and then we can break into the top six. I think we’ll be a force when that comes.”
Freedman was disappointed that his side did not hold on for the win at the Reebok Stadium, instead capitulating to a 93rd minute equaliser that dramatically secured the visitors’ Championship status.
He added: “I’m hurting massively because there were certain players who let themselves down – not as people, but in their performance.
“There were performances out there that I didn’t see coming.
“When you are 2-1 up and get numerous chances, three on two at the back, you’d like to think at least one of them would be taken.
“When you miss them it gives them (the opposition) more confidence and that then builds up, and builds up, and towards the end it was extremely disappointing to concede the second goal.”
Even at 2-1 up, Wanderers spurned chances to put the game and Birmingham’s Championship survival to bed. And so it was with a familiar air of resignation that Freedman reflected on another missed opportunity.
“We ground, worked hard for each other for about 75 minutes, but didn’t pass the ball well enough in their final third,” he said.
“We did okay out from the back but there was no penetration. When we went 2-0 up I thought we were a little bit lucky. I don’t think we deserved to be that far ahead.
“In the last 15 minutes they threw everything at us but ultimately it does sum us up – the home draw specialists – which is disappointing when you have been 2-0 up.”
Source
