BOLTON DO IT THE HARD WAY
PHIL PARKINSON believes his fighting Bolton Wanderers side showed the character needed to restore their place in England’s second tier in this comeback win over Fleetwood.
Second-half goals from Gary Madine and Josh Vela maintained the Trotters’ 100 per cent record in League One after David Ball had opened the scoring for Fleetwood.
And Parkinson insisted his side are showing no scars from last season’s miserable campaign having claimed their fourth win from four outings.
“I’m delighted wth the result – it was a hard game,” said Parkinson. “We showed courage and quality, but we had to be patient and got the goals. That’s the fighting spirit we need to get this club back to where everyone knows they should be.
“I’m very pleased with how they responded as there was an edge to the air in the stadium, going a goal down. It was especially pleasing we came from a goal down.
“I was pleased to see there was no scars for the players from last season – that was key. The way they responded gave me heart for the future.”
Fleetwood took the lead in the 34th minute when Ball turned in the box to fire home his third of the season after the Trotters lost possession.
Wanderers drew level six minutes after the restart when Jay Spearing’s corner caused mayhem and Madine scored after David Wheater’s header was blocked.
The hosts would have gone ahead on 70 minutes but for a wonderful double save from Fleetwood stopper Chris Neal, who kept Kaiyne Woolery and Davies out.
Both sides traded chances, with Mark Howard standing firm for the Trotters, and they took the lead in the 84th minute when Vela struck on the diagonal from around 18 yards for his second goal of the season.
The Cod Army nearly grabbed a point in stoppage time when Howard lost the ball, but Victor Nirennold sent his effort over the bar.
Fleetwood boss Uwe Rosler, while disappointed not to get a point, refused to blame his players for not taking their chances.
“We need to have better game management, but that’s understandable given the age we have,” he said.
“I would not blame a player for a miss as long as they are getting into the right places. Scoring goals is the hardest thing to do.
“We are like we are – Bolton have a Championship squad and we have what we have on our budget.
“We have plenty of players who aren’t the finished article, and we have to polish their potential. Players are allowed to make mistakes, and now and then not have that composure. You’ll never hear me blame anyone about missed chances.”