PHIL Parkinson has looked to take the sting out of Tuesday night’s result at Sheffield Wednesday by claiming: “It wasn’t a disastrous performance.”

Reaction to Wanderers’ run of one victory in 14 games has been one of serious concern, and the dip in form has seen the team plummet from third in the Championship table to 23rd in just three months.

Parkinson has played down the impact of defeat at Hillsborough, however, as he builds up to Saturday’s local derby with Wigan Athletic.

“We picked up a great point at Millwall and I think we deserved at least a point at Sheffield Wednesday,” he told The Bolton News.

“Across the 90 minutes it wasn’t a disastrous performance where we got beat 5-0, or Ben has had to makes saves, or they’ve hit the bar or post – it wasn’t that type of game. We weren’t cut open. It was just a bad result and we’ll move on.”

Parkinson’s side ended a goal-scoring drought at The Den on Saturday but after drawing another blank, and registering just one shot on target against the Owls, doubts have emerged about his side’s ability to fire themselves out of the relegation zone.

Wanderers have scored just three goals in their last dozen games and the manager concedes his team are lacking inspiration. But Parkinson feels his players have to start helping themselves by being more clinical in front of goal.

“[At Sheffield Wednesday] We had a good chance with Clayton (Donaldson) and (Christain) Doidge, which we should have done better with, but when we’re chasing the game we need someone to produce a quality moment to give us a lift as a team.

“There is nothing wrong with the application from the group of players, or how it is in training, it’s just everyone can see we need someone to do something to give us a lift.”

Wanderers picked up no new injury problems in Sheffield but could bring Erhun Oztumer back into the side after it was felt he did not suit the 4-3-3 formation used on the road over the last couple of games.