IT is always a rush to get to an evening game at the Macron, having had to endure the delights of the M60, but we arrived in time for a pie and a swift pint in the ground.

There was much to discuss with the goings-on in the transfer window last week.

The majority thought we had come out of it all right. If Gary Madine had to go, then we did at least hold out for decent money.

The mood was very much ‘the show must go on’ and that we support Bolton Wanderers the club, not individual players.

When players leave, there are opportunities for other players to step up and become the new heroes.

That’s what we were hoping for and we were looking forward to seeing how Phil Parkinson would shuffle the pack and how the team would react to the week’s changes.

There will be no time for self-pity as we are playing the teams in fourth, fifth and sixth places in the next three matches.

The answer came when the teams were announced with Tyler Walker replacing the departed Madine and we were reverting to a back three with wing-backs.

The team and the crowd were up for this match from the kick off – we gave as good as we got and overall, we deserved this one.

There were heroes all over the pitch but none more so than Sammy Ameobi at his mercurial best and David ‘solid as a rock’ Wheater leading the defence and showing why he should put his singing career on hold for now.

I don’t know how Josh Vela had enough energy left to walk off the pitch. The team gave their all and the crowd responded likewise.

The goal from Ameobi was a great solo effort, worthy of winning any match.

Post Madine, we got the answers we were looking for in this match.

Bolton Wanderers are alive and kicking. We were hoping for a point against a top Championship team, who have recently beat Manchester United and given Manchester City a good run for their money.

We got the three points and we were good value for them.

There is a real sense of togetherness growing at the club and Ken Anderson has gained a lot of credibility and respect this week.

We might have lost our top goalscorer, but we haven’t lost our spirit.