THEY have banked six points from two league games on the road, and now Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson is challenging his players to build on their achievements on home turf.

Back-to-back home fixtures get under way tomorrow night with the visit of winless Birmingham City, with Sheffield United visiting to the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday.

And Parkinson is determined his side will not let their hard work on the road go to waste by under-performing in front of their home crowd.

“We need to try and make it a fortress,” he said after victory at Reading. “We were disappointed to lose a 2-0 lead at home against Bristol City [in their only previous home match], for sure, but that felt like a big win. We will take a lot of confidence into Wednesday night, the aim now has to be to capitalise.

“We saw Birmingham play on Friday night and they were excellent against Swansea. They were a team that has improved despite one or two problems off the pitch.

“We’ll think carefully, long and hard, about the team we’re going to pick for that game and make sure there is enough freshness in the team to get that result.

“It’s a long season and, just as you think you are recovering, another game comes along.

“There are lots of challenges ahead. But this is as good a dressing room as I’ve seen.”

Parkinson does have players itching to start against Blues, not least the scorer of the only goal of Saturday’s win at Reading, wide man Yanic Wildschut.

The injured Sammy Ameobi did not travel with the squad to the the Madejski Stadium but Craig Noone – something of a fringe player last term with just six league starts – did his chances of increasing that number this year no harm whatsoever as he gave everything for the Whites’ cause on the flank.

“Nooney made a statement with his performance,” revealed Parkinson.

“It was a great ball by him [for the goal] and it is important we give him credit for that because he played with real heart. You can’t underestimate the quality of that ball. Not only that, but his defensive work with Andy Taylor on the left side was first-class as well.”

n Wanderers’ Under-23s continued their winning start to the season with a 2-0 win at Colchester United yesterday.

Luca Navarro hit both of the goals for David Lee’s side.