THE pressure is on tomorrow at the Macron Stadium… But it won’t necessarily be Wanderers feeling the strain.

Phil Parkinson reckons Sheffield Wednesday will be the ones feeling the burden of expectation from a 4,800-strong travelling support after a patchy start to the Championship campaign.

Wanderers know they are in for a scrap at the foot of the table with 21st place very much the aim next May, yet hopes are much higher at Hillsborough, where huge investment in the playing squad over the past few years has yet to pay dividends.

Bolton chairman Ken Anderson has made it known Parkinson’s job is safe regardless of the outcome – and that statement may have lifted some of the weight off the Whites’ shoulders as they look for a first win of the campaign.

“Things haven’t quite gone according to plan for Sheffield Wednesday this season,” Parkinson told The Bolton News. “They have thrown millions and millions at getting out of the division and have gone very close in the past couple of years. They are expected to do that again.

“They have some very good players in that squad and I watched them against Leeds United before the international break, they did well. They have a big support who’ll be looking at the table and expecting them to come and beat us but we will be prepared to cause them problems.”

Wanderers might have gained a psychological edge by virtue of their win over Wednesday in the Carabao Cup back in August.

Two much-changed teams fought out an entertaining and sometimes explosive game, which finished 3-2 in the Whites’ favour and saw both managers sent to the stands before the final whistle.

Parkinson’s squad has a clean bill of health for the first time this season and with the club visibly trying to muster a sense of belief among heir fans in the build-up to kick-off, the Wanderers boss feels a fresh sense of optimism.

“There has been a spark among the lads since we’ve been back, they have been great, and we just need that result to come about now,” he said.

“It has been difficult for the players, difficult for myself and very difficult for the fans but they have stood by us and I hope they get a reward.”