Dougie Freedman is putting Bolton Wanderers’ recent revival down to a growing team spirit and togetherness ahead of this evening’s match against Blackburn Rovers.
The Trotters go into the Reebok Stadium clash in impressive form, going unbeaten in their last six games and climbing to tenth in the Championship table.
And Freedman believes hard work on the training ground and concentration on match days is responsible for the Whites recent surge towards the play-offs.
“Leading up to our run, I felt that we had a growing togetherness around the group of players and fans,” the Glaswegian told Bolton’s official website.
“We are a group that understands that attention to the game plan is essential, and with that attention to detail the players know exactly what I expect from them.
“That comes for working hard on the training ground, day in day out. It’s the foundation of everything for me.
“I believe that on and off the field everyone understands how we want to go about things and what we want to achieve.”
Wanderers go into the clash two places and three points ahead of their Lancashire rivals, and are seven points from the play-off places.
In spite of a slender advantage over Rovers, Freedman insists his side will not be taking them lightly but is confident of getting a result.
“Blackburn are a good side, they have experience, but I believe we have the knowhow, the personnel and the confidence right now to get a result,” said Freedman.
“We take a good momentum into the match and confidence is high, we are not getting carried away, but we have a real determination about us at the moment.
“Derby games do have that special edge, special atmosphere and tonight will be no different.”
Freedman also revealed on-loan centre-half Craig Dawson – scorer of four goals in his last three games – will return to parent club West Bromwich Albion at the end of the season.
“I told Craig the deal. I’ll develop him as a player and then I’ll send him back to West Brom,” Freedman told BBC Radio Manchester.
“Hopefully they will remember us for what we’ve done for him.”
Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan could make his Trotters debut with Adam Bogdan doubtful with a muscle injury, while on-loan winger Steve De Ridder has returned to parent club Southampton.
Picture courtesy of Bolton Wanderers, via YouTube, with thanks
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