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New boy Kevin McNaughton has stressed the need for Wanderers to make a flying start to the Championship in Saturday’s season opener at Watford.
The experienced Scot is set to make his second competitive debut for the Whites at Vicarage Road after sealing a season-long loan to return to the club from Cardiff this summer.
And after a full pre-season with Wanderers, he is relishing the chance to get down to business.
Last season the Whites had a woeful first few months of the campaign, registering their longest run without a win from the start for more than a century.
But McNaughton helped turn that around in his first spell last year and wants to come out of the blocks quickly this time around.
He admits, however, the first few weeks will provide several stern tests. The 31-year-old told The Bolton News: “A good start is key for us.
“The first month is tricky having looked at it.
“I think we have to try and pick up as many away points as possible at the start.
“Watford is a tough opener and we could do with something from that and then build on it at home.
“I think we have a decent squad but if we can try and bring in a couple more bodies, it would be great.
“We may be shy of a couple to push and help the guys up front a bit more. We are trying to organise things at the back and have played different types of opposition in the last few weeks.
“We have tried a different formation as well to get ready for next week.”
McNaughton has spent plenty of time in the Championship with Cardiff and is under no illusions how competitive it will be again this season.
But he is confident it can be a successful campaign for the Whites.
He added: “Anything can happen in the Championship.
“You look at what Burnley achieved last season.
“That can be a template for us.
“It's a difficult task when you look at the make-up of the league and the likes of Cardiff, Norwich and Fulham coming down.
“But it's not easy for them to adapt either.”
McNaughton has quickly settled back to life in Bolton and is looking forward to the campaign.
And despite defeat in the final friendly against Vittesse Arnhem on Sunday, he is confident going into the season.
The former Scotland international defender said: “They (Vitesse) tested us defensively. They were a good team and kept the ball well.
“I thought we did well in spells and, hopefully, it will stand us in good stead for next week.
“Pre-season has been good.
“As a player you just want to get some game time under your belt and stay away from injury.
“I'm also getting used to playing with the boys again because it has been a few months since I was here last time.
“Being able to come and play pre-season has helped me settle back here again.
“I’m going to bring the family up as well this time so that will make life easier for me.”
Meanwhile, a proposed behind-closed-doors friendly against Italian side Udinese yesterday did not go ahead.
Meanwhile, Wanderers have handed a trial to 19-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Ayo Obileye.
The young Londoner played for a Whites XI against Chorley and Fylde and came off the bench in a 1-0 victory at Wrexham on Friday night, courtesy of Chris Lester’s strike.
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The experienced Scot is set to make his second competitive debut for the Whites at Vicarage Road after sealing a season-long loan to return to the club from Cardiff this summer.
And after a full pre-season with Wanderers, he is relishing the chance to get down to business.
Last season the Whites had a woeful first few months of the campaign, registering their longest run without a win from the start for more than a century.
But McNaughton helped turn that around in his first spell last year and wants to come out of the blocks quickly this time around.
He admits, however, the first few weeks will provide several stern tests. The 31-year-old told The Bolton News: “A good start is key for us.
“The first month is tricky having looked at it.
“I think we have to try and pick up as many away points as possible at the start.
“Watford is a tough opener and we could do with something from that and then build on it at home.
“I think we have a decent squad but if we can try and bring in a couple more bodies, it would be great.
“We may be shy of a couple to push and help the guys up front a bit more. We are trying to organise things at the back and have played different types of opposition in the last few weeks.
“We have tried a different formation as well to get ready for next week.”
McNaughton has spent plenty of time in the Championship with Cardiff and is under no illusions how competitive it will be again this season.
But he is confident it can be a successful campaign for the Whites.
He added: “Anything can happen in the Championship.
“You look at what Burnley achieved last season.
“That can be a template for us.
“It's a difficult task when you look at the make-up of the league and the likes of Cardiff, Norwich and Fulham coming down.
“But it's not easy for them to adapt either.”
McNaughton has quickly settled back to life in Bolton and is looking forward to the campaign.
And despite defeat in the final friendly against Vittesse Arnhem on Sunday, he is confident going into the season.
The former Scotland international defender said: “They (Vitesse) tested us defensively. They were a good team and kept the ball well.
“I thought we did well in spells and, hopefully, it will stand us in good stead for next week.
“Pre-season has been good.
“As a player you just want to get some game time under your belt and stay away from injury.
“I'm also getting used to playing with the boys again because it has been a few months since I was here last time.
“Being able to come and play pre-season has helped me settle back here again.
“I’m going to bring the family up as well this time so that will make life easier for me.”
Meanwhile, a proposed behind-closed-doors friendly against Italian side Udinese yesterday did not go ahead.
Meanwhile, Wanderers have handed a trial to 19-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Ayo Obileye.
The young Londoner played for a Whites XI against Chorley and Fylde and came off the bench in a 1-0 victory at Wrexham on Friday night, courtesy of Chris Lester’s strike.
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