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Matt Mills refuses to dismiss Wanderers’ chances of having a good season after eight games – and has urged fans to follow suit.
While Dougie Freedman’s side hover above the relegation zone on goal difference going into tomorrow’s home game with Derby County, the mood within the camp has taken a positive turn.
Wednesday’s plucky cup exit at Chelsea suggested there was still some scrap left in the squad despite the growing sense of despondency among those on the terraces.
And vice-captain Mills, goalscorer at Stamford Bridge, hopes that performance can help draw a line under what has been a desperate start to the campaign.
“There has been a lot of negativity around Bolton as a whole,” he said. “But if you look at performances individually, game by game, we are not a million miles away.
“The manager has touched on having a belief to start a run going and try to achieve something special this year.
“I have been in a lot worse positions as a player and finished in the play-offs, so let’s use this as a catalyst to push on.”
Echoing a call from Freedman earlier in the week, Mills believes the key to turning round the season lies in getting the fans on board.
Travelling supporters at Chelsea liked what they saw but that has not always been the case at the Macron Stadium.
“It was a heart-warming sight,” Mills said of Wednesday night’s support. “When you see them come down and support the team and really get behind the lads, it means everything.
“A few of the lads touched on it after the game. It’s special at a football club when the fans can get behind the players and everyone is pulling in the right direction.
“To have the fans onside would be nice. We understand as players we need to provide something for the fans to get behind. It is not a one-way street.
“The players and the turnaround of the club, we need everyone. If everyone isn’t pulling and pushing in the right direction then things fall down.
“We want to be at the top end of the table. That winning feeling after a game and that togetherness is something you strive for as a club but because they are the good times and we do want to bring them back.”
Mills was proud to wear the captain’s armband in Jay Spearing’s absence in midweek and he admits the experience also whet his appetite for a return to Premier League level, where he once made a handful of appearances for Manchester City.
“Jay is our leader on the pitch but as I said to the lads in the huddle before kick-off, moments like that will stay with you for 20 years,” he said.
“I want to make more good memories with Bolton.
“I have been fortunate to play Liverpool in the FA Cup and beat them at Anfield, score and beat Everton 1-0 and score again tonight.
“It kind of suits my style a bit more playing against the Premier League sides.
“The Championship is a different beast but the only way I am going to get back to playing at this level is by winning games and pushing us up the league.”
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While Dougie Freedman’s side hover above the relegation zone on goal difference going into tomorrow’s home game with Derby County, the mood within the camp has taken a positive turn.
Wednesday’s plucky cup exit at Chelsea suggested there was still some scrap left in the squad despite the growing sense of despondency among those on the terraces.
And vice-captain Mills, goalscorer at Stamford Bridge, hopes that performance can help draw a line under what has been a desperate start to the campaign.
“There has been a lot of negativity around Bolton as a whole,” he said. “But if you look at performances individually, game by game, we are not a million miles away.
“The manager has touched on having a belief to start a run going and try to achieve something special this year.
“I have been in a lot worse positions as a player and finished in the play-offs, so let’s use this as a catalyst to push on.”
Echoing a call from Freedman earlier in the week, Mills believes the key to turning round the season lies in getting the fans on board.
Travelling supporters at Chelsea liked what they saw but that has not always been the case at the Macron Stadium.
“It was a heart-warming sight,” Mills said of Wednesday night’s support. “When you see them come down and support the team and really get behind the lads, it means everything.
“A few of the lads touched on it after the game. It’s special at a football club when the fans can get behind the players and everyone is pulling in the right direction.
“To have the fans onside would be nice. We understand as players we need to provide something for the fans to get behind. It is not a one-way street.
“The players and the turnaround of the club, we need everyone. If everyone isn’t pulling and pushing in the right direction then things fall down.
“We want to be at the top end of the table. That winning feeling after a game and that togetherness is something you strive for as a club but because they are the good times and we do want to bring them back.”
Mills was proud to wear the captain’s armband in Jay Spearing’s absence in midweek and he admits the experience also whet his appetite for a return to Premier League level, where he once made a handful of appearances for Manchester City.
“Jay is our leader on the pitch but as I said to the lads in the huddle before kick-off, moments like that will stay with you for 20 years,” he said.
“I want to make more good memories with Bolton.
“I have been fortunate to play Liverpool in the FA Cup and beat them at Anfield, score and beat Everton 1-0 and score again tonight.
“It kind of suits my style a bit more playing against the Premier League sides.
“The Championship is a different beast but the only way I am going to get back to playing at this level is by winning games and pushing us up the league.”
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