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Matt Mills believes an important first step has been taken by Wanderers after back-to-back wins edged them out of the relegation zone.
Friday’s night derby victory over Wigan temporarily propelled the Whites into 18th before results the next day dragged them down three positions.
But the fact they are the right side of the dotted line during the international break will be a psychological boost for players and fans, says the big defender.
“We’re looking up the table,” he told The Bolton News. “There is a belief, the atmosphere is great, you can see it in the supporters, and in the players too there is a real belief that we can turn teams over.
“We’ve won four out of six since the gaffer came in and we honestly think we can keep moving forward.”
Mills was given the captain’s armband in the 3-1 win over Wigan and produced an inspired display at the back described as “monumental” by manger Neil Lennon.
For the defender, whose club career has turned round dramatically in the last 12 months, it was a stand-out moment.
“People always say it’s an honour when they are given the captain’s armband but for me personally, the journey I have been on since I’ve been at this club, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said.
“For the manager to have faith in me and give me the armband means a lot.
“But I’m just a small cog in what is a much bigger picture. You saw it all click together against Wigan in a great result.”
Mills is not alone in finding his top form since Lennon’s arrival, with the likes of Chung-Yong Lee, Mark Davies, Craig Davies and Andy Lonergan also playing at the very top of their game.
But the centre-half believes there is a responsibility to keep focus during the good times and not let standards slip.
“In any job, not just a footballer, you perform well when your manager or the people around you have belief in you,” he said.
“I’ve touched before on his man-management skills, which are probably the best I’ve ever encountered. He makes players feel 10 feet tall and fills them with confidence – that has certainly been the case with me and many others.
“What’s important is that we repay it with performances. You wouldn’t want that faith to be misplaced.”
Source
Friday’s night derby victory over Wigan temporarily propelled the Whites into 18th before results the next day dragged them down three positions.
But the fact they are the right side of the dotted line during the international break will be a psychological boost for players and fans, says the big defender.
“We’re looking up the table,” he told The Bolton News. “There is a belief, the atmosphere is great, you can see it in the supporters, and in the players too there is a real belief that we can turn teams over.
“We’ve won four out of six since the gaffer came in and we honestly think we can keep moving forward.”
Mills was given the captain’s armband in the 3-1 win over Wigan and produced an inspired display at the back described as “monumental” by manger Neil Lennon.
For the defender, whose club career has turned round dramatically in the last 12 months, it was a stand-out moment.
“People always say it’s an honour when they are given the captain’s armband but for me personally, the journey I have been on since I’ve been at this club, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said.
“For the manager to have faith in me and give me the armband means a lot.
“But I’m just a small cog in what is a much bigger picture. You saw it all click together against Wigan in a great result.”
Mills is not alone in finding his top form since Lennon’s arrival, with the likes of Chung-Yong Lee, Mark Davies, Craig Davies and Andy Lonergan also playing at the very top of their game.
But the centre-half believes there is a responsibility to keep focus during the good times and not let standards slip.
“In any job, not just a footballer, you perform well when your manager or the people around you have belief in you,” he said.
“I’ve touched before on his man-management skills, which are probably the best I’ve ever encountered. He makes players feel 10 feet tall and fills them with confidence – that has certainly been the case with me and many others.
“What’s important is that we repay it with performances. You wouldn’t want that faith to be misplaced.”
Source