Bolton Wanderers may have picked up crucial wins in their quest for a place in the League One play-offs, but manager Steven Schumacher is calling for better performances from his players.
Despite securing narrow victories against Wigan Athletic and Bristol Rovers, the Bolton boss is not content with the level of play and is pushing for further improvements.
Routine Win
Saturday’s 1-0 win against Bristol Rovers was far from straightforward. Aaron Collins’ header in the second half was enough to give the Trotters all three points, but the performance was scrappy at times. With Rotherham United up next, who have seen an upturn in form under caretaker manager Matt Hamshaw, Schumacher knows his team will have to step it up if they want to stay on track for promotion.
“Good performances will lead to good results, so I still want us to play better,” Schumacher stated after the win. “I won’t be one of those going ‘I don’t worry about it if we are playing cr*p’ if we keep winning. Those two things don’t normally go hand in hand.”
For Schumacher, winning games is not enough if the team is not playing well. He believes that when performances fall short, it becomes even more important to remain focused, avoid mistakes, and capitalise on every opportunity, especially when it comes to defending set-pieces. His desire for improvement is clear, and he insists that the team needs to be fully switched on if they are to continue their push for the play-offs.
A vital moment in the Bristol Rovers match came when goalkeeper Nathan Baxter made a stunning save to deny Matt Butcher at close range. The save proved pivotal in preserving the lead and ensuring that Collins’ 18th goal of the season secured all three points. Baxter’s heroics further underlined the importance of key moments in tight matches.
“It was a really important moment,” Schumacher remarked. “That’s one of the reasons why we decided to put Nathan back in, because he’s a fantastic shot-stopper.”
Despite the victory, it was not all positive for Bolton. Defender Will Forrester was forced off with a hamstring injury in the first half, and his fitness will be assessed after a scan. With Eoin Toal also out for at least two weeks due to a similar injury, Bolton’s defensive options are starting to look stretched. However, there is some good news on the horizon, as Ricardo Santos has returned to full training and will be available for selection.
Site Opinion
Steven Schumacher’s desire for improvement, despite a series of victories, demonstrates a clear drive for excellence within Bolton Wanderers. It’s a sign of a manager who refuses to rest on his laurels and is determined to get the best out of his squad. With injuries beginning to mount and key fixtures on the horizon, how the team reacts in the coming weeks will be crucial to their ambitions of securing a play-off place. If Bolton can maintain focus and improve their performances, they may very well be in the mix for promotion come the end of the season.
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