GARY Madine’s deadline-day move to Cardiff City may have been met with disapproval by many Wanderers fans, but within the squad he left behind there is a sense of optimism.

The striker’s switch to the Bluebirds, for a fee thought to run to £6million, divided opinion among the Whites’ following.

In one camp were those believing it was a decent piece of business, particularly for a player who cost nothing when he came to the club in summer 2015.

Others felt the sale of Bolton’s leading scorer, and focal point of Phil Parkinson’s attacking schemes, spelled the end of any hope of avoiding the drop into League One.

Sammy Ameobi admits being without Madine, who hit 10 goals for Wanderers this season, makes their task trickier but is positive about their chances for the rest of the campaign.

“We lost Gaz, and that was disappointing but we can’t dwell on it – I am excited about what the future holds for Bolton,” said the former Newcastle attacker.

“We can’t hide from the fact we have lost a big part of the way we play – but you have to get on with it. The manager very much instilled that into us.

“We shuffled a few things around and tried a new formation – against all odds we made the most of it against Bristol City and got three points on the board. Now we have to push on again.

“The character in this team is unbelievable. We won’t let it affect us.”

Tempering the disappointed masses was the loan acquisition of Nottingham Forest duo Tyler Walker and Zach Clough – the latter a terrace favourite during his fledgling steps in the game wearing the white shirt.

“They are both top-quality players. It was a great start for the both of them,” said Ameobi.

“I have played with Cloughy before and he’s a really good player. It’s fantastic to have him back because he’s a fans’ favourite here and hopefully we can all kick on.

“I felt like we clicked again. But this is just the beginning so hopefully we can gel even more and create more chances together.”

An understanding seemed to be in place when Ameobi let fly to score the only goal of the game against Bristol City with Clough, a substitute for Walker just before the hour mark, drawing defenders away and allowing his team-mate to charge on and drill home the winner.

Not that Ameobi had given much thought to playing in Clough instead.

“When I get the ball in those sort of positions I just want to shoot,” he added.

“That might be selfish, but if you don’t shoot, you don’t score.”