Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman is calling on his young side to believe in themselves as they look their first Championship win in nine games.
Wanderers are currently languishing in 20th place only six points above the relegation zone.
On Saturday they host an inform Watford side who are unbeaten in five league games.
However, Freedman believes his side are close to that vital victory which he believes can inspire confidence amongst his youthful squad.
“I honestly think we’ve just got to believe in what we’re doing and things will change,” he told his weekly press conference.
“It is tough for everyone at the moment but I honestly believe that the players are fully focussed on what they are doing.
“I think a win is just around the corner because of the way we’re playing.”
Despite only picking up one point from their last two outings Freedman believes the performances shown in those games prove his side is on the right track.
“I look at when we played against Burnley – second in the league – and then Millwall at The Den, and we matched them.” he added. “We were very unlucky not to take maximum points from both games.
“So I’m not scratching my head wondering where the next win will come from.”
The Scot will be hoping his side can repeat the performance they put in against Watford earlier in the season when they went to Vicarage Road and beat the Hornets 1-0.
The goalscorer that day, Jermaine Beckford, is still ruled out with injury although The Trotters’ attacking options are boosted by Joe Mason has been re-signed on loan from Cardiff City.
Something that will encourage Bolton fans is the fact that Watford have failed to win at the Reebok Stadium since 1998 and have also not won any of their last 11 away matches in all competitions.
Freedman is not letting those stats distract his players and believes if his side are to end their winless run they need to come out the blocks quickest and remain calm if they take the lead.
“I know we’ll start the game well, I know we’ll come fast out of the traps,” he said.
“But what I need is that when we go in front, or when it’s 0-0, we need to keep ourselves in the game. When we go 1-0 up, we need to keep it.”
Bolton have so far dropped 16 points from winning positions, had they not done so the complexion of their season would be markedly different as they would only be four points off the play-off places.
Image courtesy of Wanderers Player, via YouTube, with thanks.
