With no home wins this season and his team’s fans desperate for three points at The Reebok, Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman says the club’s luck is about to change.
Bolton, buoyed by forward Jermaine Beckford’s two strikes in his last two games, welcome mid-table Ipswich on Saturday.
Ipswich won both meetings between the two teams last season including a 2-1 victory at Bolton last December and Freedman senses a reversal of fortunes.
“The fans are crying out for that win – I understand that,” Freedman told a news conference on Thursday.
“We’re not afraid to get on the ball. We’re fully committed. Things are not going our way at certain times.
“I just get a feeling that if we keep on performing the way we are it will change very soon.”
Freedman will have to try and improve results without in-form Liam Feeney, who has been recalled by parent club Millwall.
Millwall were able to end the three-month loan after 28 days under the rules of the loan system, which has left Freedman unhappy.
“We’re disappointed to lose him because he was doing so well for us. I don’t think the boy is too happy either. He goes back there and Millwall have to deal with that,” said Freedman.
“When they insist you take them for three months and then they’ve got that option it’s a bit hard to take,” he said.
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy is hopeful goalkeeper Dean Gerken will be available for the match but Daryl Murphy is a doubt.
Bolton will definitely be without their goalkeeper after Hungarian international Adam Bogdan was ruled out for up to six weeks with knee ligament damage.
Andy Lonergan will make his first appearance of the season and Freedman feels he has a chance of staking a claim to be the regular number one.
“If he takes his opportunity, players will play that are on form,” said the manager.
“He’s desperate to play. The quality he’s got we can cover that position. I’ve got no doubt he will go on and take his opportunity.”
Give Bolton’s improved play, it would come as no shock to Freedman if Beckford were to continue his scoring run.
“It’s no surprise to me – if we create opportunities Jermaine scores,” Freedman said.
“If you have movement, you get opportunities. If you get opportunities, you score goals. That’s what Jermaine has done. Long may it continue.”
Image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
