With the Championship approaching its climax, Dougie Freedman believes Bolton Wanderers have hit momentum at the right time in their quest to return to the Premier League.
The Trotters have won their last eight league games at the Reebok Stadium, propelling them to sixth in the table with two games to go.
Having been near the relegation zone in February, Freedman believes his side’s character has been key to their revival and their destiny is now in their own hands.
“We’ve hit the play-offs through fantastic play and just through sheer determination and grit,” he told BBC Radio Manchester.
“I don’t think there is anybody else who has got that kind of momentum now in that top six. It is in our own hands and we are working very hard.
“I think it’s been a difficult time for the fans over the last couple of years at the Reebok especially with relegation battles to take year in year out.
“I just think the spirit that we’ve got is tremendous right now and that’s been built up over the last three or four months.”
The Whites are a point ahead of nearest play-off rivals Leicester City, despite losing away to the Foxes earlier this month at the King Power Stadium.
Next up for Wanderers is a trip to league winners Cardiff City, with Freedman under no illusions about the difficulty of heading to Wales or the commitment of his players.
“It’s a difficult match for us because they’ll be in a very relaxed mode but we want to make sure we’re prepared,” said the Glaswegian.
“No matter who comes on the pitch, or starts the game, everybody is showing the intent and willingness and we can’t ask for more than that.”
Bolton will be looking to improve their indifferent away form after losing three of their last four matches on the road, all by a single-goal margin.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
Image courtesy of BWFCOfficial, via YouTube with thanks
