THE message is sinking in at Wanderers – even though it is much too late to prevent relegation.

Jimmy Phillips believes he and Peter Reid are making progress on the training ground despite losing all five of their games in charge so far.

Wanderers were ahead against leaders Middlesbrough until 13 minutes from time on Saturday and host Charlton tonight hoping to avoid a record-equalling 25th defeat of the season.

“I think it has taken slightly more time than we anticipated but we are making some improvements,” he told The Bolton News. “And in the earlier games we did give younger players an opportunity to play.

“There are signs the players are starting show some confidence and self-belief again. I still think there is more to come from them from the team in possession. I think will can keep the ball better and have more of a cutting edge than we have showed at times.

“That will come. There are shoots of recovery showing.

“We have reverted to a more experienced team – but saying that we still had four from the academy playing Saturday.

“We have played Boro – we have Hull going for promotion, Charlton are trying to stave off relegation.

“Yes, we have one eye on the future, but we also need to make sure we put as strong a team out as humanly possible because as a club, it’s right to do.”

Charlton’s fans have resigned themselves to relegation, with the club trailing Rotherham by 11 points with four games to play.

“There is a lot of pressure on them to get the result but it makes for an interesting game,” Phillips said. “It is one we want to win.

“They have got to go out and attack. I remember them playing pre-season here and they played very well, showed great quality in possession.

“From that game pre-season you can’t quite believe they have ended up second bottom in the league.

“I think we should look forward to it. I think some belief is returning to the game.”