WANDERERS get back down to business this morning at Lostock after their post-Charlton rest cure, with Steven Schumacher calling for one final push before the international break.
The Whites pulled out all the stops after the 1-0 win at Charlton Athletic on Saturday night to help the players recuperate quickly, knowing another key game lies ahead on Friday night at Derby County.
Though medical staff did check on Josh Sheehan and Atsuki Ito, who both picked up potential injuries at The Valley, the rest of the squad were ordered to take it easy in order to recharge as best they can.
Schumacher believes a clean sheet and the manner of victory at Charlton will be as good a boost to his players’ energy levels as anything the doctors could order.
“Clean sheets are absolutely huge for everyone in that back line, for everyone in the team, because we all had to earn it,” he told The Bolton News.
“I wish the (Charlton) game would have been more comfortable. I think we could have been a bit more clinical about our attacking play but it is what it is. We’ll keep trying to do our best on that.
“Most importantly, everyone stick together in a difficult game. They put their bodies on the line, gave 100 per cent effort, and I haven’t once this year had reason to question that.
“We really appreciate the support we got – so everyone has to rest up and come back for Friday with as much energy as we possibly can, to try and put another result on the board.”
Wanderers had come in for some criticism after letting a lead slip late on against Bristol City on Saturday and looked determined not to let the same thing happen at Charlton.
Schumacher also shifted to five at the back in the closing stages, bringing Ben Davies off the bench, to combat the home side’s late frantic efforts to get level.
“It was pleasing to see that pay off,” he said. “It is important. You have to have different sides to your game, you can't play the same way all the time and be free-flowing, because the energy levels and people have dips in form.
“Some nights it just doesn’t go well for some or you can be a little bit careless. So, if that's the case, fall back on your principles, which is what we've tried to say all season.
“Stick to what we believe in, being nice and compact, being nice and tight. Everybody defending and everybody trying to attack and score. That is what we've managed to do to get all three points, which is huge.”
Preparation for the game at Derby will be effectively limited to one training session today.
The Rams have had a difficult season, winning just once in the league so far, and were beaten 4-0 at home by Norwich City on Tuesday night.
Schumacher believes the close proximity of the game will make current form less of an issue.
“We haven’t got loads of time to prepare, neither have Derby,” he told us. “We will go into the game with confidence because we have been coming to these places and playing well.
“Physically it is going to be a huge test for everyone. They have had a bad result again, but we can’t go there thinking we’ll get everything our own way because they have some really good players. I seem to say that about everyone, but it’s true.”
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