Bolton Wanderers legend John McGinlay has challenged the Whites to get back into the Premier League – not just for the club, but for the entire town.
Under Dougie Freedman, Wanderers have climbed up the Championship table and a late surge has taken them to within two points of the play-offs.
Ex-Trotters striker McGinlay – who scored 118 goals in 230 appearances – feels after recovering from a bad start to the campaign, promotion would mean so much.
“It would mean a hell of a lot to the town, as much as the football club, to get back up into the Premier League,” he told BBC Late Kick-Off North West.
“No disrespect to any teams in the Championship but you want to be playing against the top teams week in, week out.
“We’d been in the Premier League for so long. Obviously you want to get straight back in there as you want to play the top teams.”
The Reebok Stadium outfit were relegated from the Premier League last season after an 11-year stay in the English top flight.
Generally the chances of immediate return to the Premier League are slim, with only 15 of the 64 sides suffering relegation during the Premier League era succeeding.
However, following a seven-game home winning streak, McGinlay feels the Trotters have hit form at the right time and put their early-season demons behind them.
“The team didn’t have a great start, but they’ve certainly become a lot better in the last couple of months,” he said.
“At the start of the season we were one of the favourites to win the league. It takes an inner strength and a mental strength to get back up.
“We’ve galvanised it now and are behind the team. I think we’ve got a great opportunity to get into the play-offs.”
Present Whites striker David Ngog meanwhile believes his partnership with Marvin Sordell is flourishing as the season approaches its exciting climax.
“I think Marvin is a good player and a good finisher as well, so we can combine upfront,” the Frenchman told Bolton’s official website.
“We have been doing for the past couple of games and hopefully we can keep doing the same.
“Each game we progress and understand each other better, so there is a good team spirit which will help us to win games.”
The pair have combined for 14 goals this campaign and will be hoping to add to their tally in Saturday’s visit to Ashton Gate against basement club Bristol City.
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