Dougie Freedman has paid tribute to the Bolton Wanderers fans for their loyal support this season and now feels they are getting their just rewards after a third successive win on Saturday.
Wanderer’s 1-0 win away to Watford also extends their unbeaten run to eight games moving them up to 15th in the Championship table.
Freedman was quick to thank the fans for their support which he feels has been the key reason for Bolton’s upturn in form.
“I want to thank the fans once again,” Freedman told the Bolton website.
“They were amazing from start to finish and they stayed right behind the team, they understand that we are putting everything on the line and it is a great day for the club.”
Bolton failed to win any of their first 10 Championship fixtures but Freedman was glad the fans stuck with him and his team who he now believes are strong enough to continue this form.
“I am trying to build a team that can handle the Championship, we have the energy and the legs to cope with the demands of the division,” the Scot explained.
“Neil Danns, Chung-Yong Lee and Darren Pratley’s energy levels were great, it takes time, we have had our ups and downs but with the fans behind us anything is possible.
“We are on a high and I believe it has been coming, we have to be a bit more patient in terms of success and I am trying to bring some younger players into the team.”
Bolton’s win at Vicarage Road came thanks to a mistake by former Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia whose fumble from a routine ball into the box allowed Jermaine Beckford to pounce and score the only goal of the game.
Beckford has now scored in the last three league games bringing his total for the season to five and Freedman believes his striker has finally hit form.
“Jermaine is taking his opportunities now and today’s goal was a bit fortunate the way it come to him, he gets in the right areas and he scored a good striker’s goal.”
Freedman was also delighted with the Trotters defensive performance who managed to keep out a Watford side who have managed to score 27 goals already this season.
“I thought defensively we were very sound. We made the right decisions and we didn’t allow Watford to create many goal scoring opportunities.
“It was a good away performance and we are picking up some momentum.”
Image courtesy of Bolton Wanderers via YouTube, with thanks.
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