Derby clash needs a real high-energy performance, says Parkin

Bolton collected a much-needed three points at home to Millwall a week ago but were then deeply disappointing as they fell to defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.

And Phil Parkinson’s assistant feels if they can recreate the energy levels they displayed against the Lions, they should be confident of edging themselves closer to today’s hosts, who sit fourth-bottom and out of the relegation zone by the slimmest of goal-difference margins.

“We were disappointed with Tuesday’s game, though we were very much in the game until they scored, without really playing with the same intensity as we had on Saturday,” said Parkin. “So there were parts we were disappointed with, certainly in the second half when we allowed Sheffield Wednesday to get hold of the ball.

“We know they’ve got good players and a very strong squad but it was off the mark for us in terms of sprint distance and energy. But that’s all water under the bridge now, we’ve got a local derby to look forward to and I’m sure it will be a feisty affair because they need the points and we need the points so it’s one to look forward to.

“If we can get a victory at Wigan it makes it a good week in terms of points gained and getting one over our rivals. Everybody knows what an important game it is.

“The players get up for the big games, in general their commitment and effort has been very good, if you look at the victory at Birmingham and the performances at Leeds and against Millwall we have had a consistently better level of performance over the last six or seven weeks. We’ll definitely need to achieve that to get the points.”

The coaching team are expecting to delay selecting their team until they know how three players have reacted to niggling injuries.

Whoever is on duty will, however, go into a match with enormous consequences knowing the future of the club remains uncertain, following the breakdown of the recent takeover bid.

“They are a group that’s aware of the importance of the game and that if we get three points it suddenly tightens it up again,” added Parkin. “We’ve got some good games coming up, where we feel we can get points, so our energy has to be put into that and not what’s happening off the pitch.

“The key is that we get back to where we were against Millwall, we’ve got a few niggly injury problems, which we’ll look at when we have a few fitness tests tomorrow. So we’ve got our own things to be concerned about, and we’ll make sure our house is in order for the game. If the players play with the same intensity and energy they did against Millwall, then I’m sure we’ll be fine

“We have to be careful with some of the older players, where three games in a week is a big ask, especially with the level we’re playing at. Sammy [Ameobi] has got a bit of a niggle, so has Josh Magennis, Pav [Olkowski] has picked up a slight niggle after the weekend too, so we’ll make sure everybody’s okay when we get on the team bus tomorrow.”

Wanderers can, until kick off today at least, count on sympathy for their current plight from a former player now hoping to help Wigan steer themselves to safety

Antonee Robinson, who impressed in Bolton white last term, opted to go to the DW Stadium for his next loan spell away from Everton. And he hopes better times are to come for his former team-mates and coaches.

“Everyone knows Bolton have had a really tough season,” he said. “Obviously there’s been a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes, everyone knows about it, and it’s unfortunate.

“They’ve got a great set of lads, quite a few I know from last year, plus some lads from Everton who are on loan. They’re all doing their best while all this is going on, and I wish them all the best and hope it works out.

“It’s just a really strange situation, and you really feel for all the staff as well. Good people are working hard to keep the club going and they’re not being paid.

“Hopefully it gets resolved and the club gets back to where it should be very soon.”