Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman has told his side they must remain calm if they are to turn their fortunes around and climb the table.
Wanderers, who are second from bottom and winless in the SkyBet Championship, travel to seventh placed Blackpool on Tuesday.
Despite the poor form of his side, Freedman remains optimistic that Bolton will soon get the right results.
“We’re on the wrong side of results right now but I don’t believe we’re too far away,” he said.
“I’ve been through this before. I know exactly how to get out of it. We stay calm and we also make sure we’re fully committed to get out of it.
“I do believe these players are a hungry bunch who want to get better.
“I understand fans need short-term results. I do plan for the long term.”
Blackpool have exceeded expectations so far and sit seventh in the SkyBet Championship, behind Reading on goal difference.
They are unbeaten at home since March and have scored in every league game this season.
In contrast, Bolton are drastically under-performing so far this campaign taking just four points from nine games.
It’s 11 league matches since Bolton’s last win while Blackpool are without a win in their last three.
Bolton defender Alex Baptiste joined from Blackpool in the summer and is relishing a return to his old club.
“It’ll be good to go back,” he said.
“I had some great memories there. But all that’s in the past now and now it’s obviously all about Bolton.”
Blackpool manager Paul Ince is without midfielder Angel Martinez following his red card against Huddersfield. Barry Ferguson is also likely to miss out again with an ankle problem.
Dougie Freedman may start Bolton’s new loan signings Liam Feeney and Neil Danns for the first time and is waiting on international clearance for Kevin McNaughton.
Marc Tierney fractured his foot against Yeovil and will be missing for a number of weeks.
There have been 100 competitive meetings between the two sides with Bolton winning 40 and Blackpool 32.
Both matches last season ended 2-2, with the draw on the final day seeing Bolton miss out on a play-off place.
Freedman believes victory is possible this time around.
“There’s nothing to suggest to me that we can’t go there and win the game,” he said.
“We must go there fully committed and see what result comes.”
Image courtesy of BWFC Official via YouTube , with thanks
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