RUBEN Rodrigues does not expect Wanderers to let-up against Luton Town, even though they are already assured of a play-off place.
Steven Schumacher’s side grabbed the point they needed at Bradford City on Saturday but could still finish anywhere between third and fifth.
The likelihood of being dropping into sixth spot is extremely remote, as it would require a 17-goal swing for Stevenage to climb above them.
But clinching third or fourth spot would guarantee a home game in the second leg of the play-off semi-final which, statistically, gives a slight advantage.
Rodrigues feels that gives Bolton some motivation to finish strong at the Toughsheet, where there will be a lap of appreciation from the players after the final whistle.
“Getting into the play-offs was the main goal and, to be fair, it doesn’t really matter to me who we play,” he said.
“Of course, we want to play away first and then at home. We still need to win our next game to secure that home tie in the second leg. So, that's all we're going for. We just want to win.
“It doesn't matter who we're playing against. We'll see what happens then.”
Luton also have hopes of gatecrashing the top six on the final weekend and currently sit outside the play-offs by a single point as they play their first league game at Wanderers since 1995.
Bradford, who sit fifth, and eight-placed Plymouth are also involved in the equation but Rodrigues maintains that Bolton can take advantage of the fact their opponents are unlikely to sit and contain.
“It should be exciting,” he said. “I've seen they are one point off Stevenage. Of course, Stevenage still has a game. Bradford still needs to win.
“it is a very big game for them. A lot of pressure, of course. For us too, of course, we still want to have the second leg at home in front of our own fans.
“We will see what happens. It's going to be a good game, I think. It's a team that wants to play and it's also open.”
The last time Rodrigues had completed a 90-minute game before Saturday’s draw at Bradford was the League One play-off semi-final second leg against Peterborough United, which finished with Oxford United holding on for a 2-1 aggregate win to set up that final at Wembley against Wanderers.
The 29-year-old has been working hard to get up to full match fitness after doing a pre-season on his own at his former club in Brazil, prior to his January window move back to the UK.
But with Ethan Erhahon injured and Xav Simons only fit enough for a place on the bench, he once again took a position alongside Josh Sheehan as a deeper-lying number six in midfield – a position he admits he is now growing to appreciate.
“I’m getting old, so there's going to be a time in my career that I'm going to drop to a six so I can dictate the game and run a little bit less,” he smiled. “But for now I still can go a little bit box-to-box.
“The atmosphere of the game was great and it is what you get into football for. I don't really enjoy these games, the tackles and the flying about and the one-touch balls.
“But I have been showing lately that I've also got the other side of me. That it's not just tiki-taka and all nice and technical. I've got the other side of me as well.
“I think that's because I've been playing in England for five years. So, you get that into your system. No, I don't mind this.
“Sometimes it's nice, you know, putting tackles in.”
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