Bolton Wanderers are hoping to avoid their worst start to a league season for 50 years against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
Dougie Freedman’s men are without a win in the league this season and sit bottom of the SkyBet Championship following Tuesdays draw at home to Derby.
The manager, while acknowledging how frustrating the start to the campaign has been, is confident that their luck will change soon.
“We just seem to not be getting the rub of the green at times,” Freedman said.
“This season there’s not a lot in the games and there’s not a lot in the table. So if you can hit that bit of form at the right time you can soon see your side jumping four or five spots in the league in one result.
“I think we’ve got the capabilities in the group. They’re working very hard for each other. I’ve got no complaints with their commitment.”
Saturday’s opposition Brighton currently sit 13th in the table, six points clear of Bolton and have drawn their last three Championship games.
Bolton ended a run of four straight defeats with their draw against Derby and defender Alex Baptiste is hoping they can build on that game.
“We can take the positives from our last performance and take those into this weekend’s game,” Baptiste said.
“We all know it will be a tough game against Brighton but hopefully we will put in a good performance and get the right result.”
It is a mark of Bolton’s struggles so far this season that defender Baptiste is their joint top scorer on two league goals.
Wanderers have managed just five league goals in their seven Championship games and it is currently nine league matches since their last victory back in April.
Captain Zat Knight will be hoping for a recall to the side after Freedman omitted his skipper against Derby while Rob Hall is pushing to start again.
Brighton’s top scorer Leonardo Ulloa is suspended following his red card last weekend against Reading and midfielder Liam Bridcutt will face a fitness assessment ahead of his potential return.
Dougie Freedman’s team had the better of the sides meetings last season, taking four points from the two games including a 2-1 victory at The Reebok in March.
Image courtesy of BWFC Official via YouTube, with thanks
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