Josh Dacres-Cogley knows what to expect against Blackpool and is hungry to secure an “overdue” victory at Bloomfield Road.
Dacres-Cogley has featured in all four matches against the Seasiders since his arrival at Bolton in 2023, starting three of those.
The right-back says the existing members of the squad have been driving it home to the newer signings what a win would mean to the supporters.
“The games I have played in, it has very much been a derby game for us and we are sending that message for all the boys at the minute,” he said.
“We are going there and we want to take the points, especially after the record we have got there, so everyone will be geared up and ready for that.
“It is overdue. I think even from the two years I have been here, it has kind of been like a bogey place for us. We want to make that right this year and go and get three points early on in the season.”
The 29-year-old added: “You want to be the ones who do that, especially when you have experienced it beforehand.
“It is kind of different when you haven't experienced it, so I am sure all the boys who experienced it before will be driving the new boys on that we need to win this game.”
Dacres-Cogley admitted there has been a touch of frustration in recent weeks after not picking up the points their performances have arguably warranted.
But the former Tranmere man has seen plenty of encouraging signs and is confident that the results are right around the corner if Bolton can maintain their performance levels.
“Obviously, it has been frustrating for everyone,” he explained. “We feel like we should have had more points with the performances we have put in.
“I think we can also take a lot of positives from how we have played and the chances we have created, even the chances we are not giving up to teams.
“We have conceded the lowest shots out of all the league so far, so I think we can take that into any game and have the confidence that we are going to do that and get chances on their goal.”
“[It is frustrating] when you know you are dominating the game and think you should have got more, but I think we need to stick to the process.
“It is obviously working and eventually we are going to end up turning teams over week in, week out. It is about sticking with it and making sure we do things right.”
Dacres-Cogley has been competing with Jordi Osei-Tutu for the right-back spot in the early stages of the season and now has a chance to stake his claim.
“I will be ready whenever, whether Jordi is fit or not, and I think the gaffer has managed it well where we have both had parts to play in games," he said.
“He knows the strengths that we have both got and obviously he is a tough competitor to go against to fight for a shirt.
“We are just going to keep on driving each other's standards to make sure one of us is starting at the weekends.”
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