Steven Schumacher’s Bolton Wanderers side lost on the road in League One once again, as their hunt for an away win this season goes on.
The Trotters travelled down to Burton Albion on the back of a 2-1 win over Peterborough United, hoping to secure their first road points over the year. Unfortunately for the White’s, Gary Bowyers Burton had different ideas and after Sam Dalby missed two open nets for Bolton, the Brewers took control of the game with it finishing 3-0 to the home side.
“Again, it’s a result that we’re all not happy with,” Schumacher said at the Pirelli Stadium, where defeat against Burton left Wanderers in ninth spot in the table.
“I can honestly say the players are trying. The effort’s there, as I say, and goals change games. I know they must be getting sick of me saying that every week, because I do feel like I’ve broken record.
“I’m getting sick of myself saying it, but the outcome will change if we smarten up in the key moments. We’ve got to get a bit more streetwise. We’ve got to be more clinical.
“I keep going back to that word, because we should have been 2-0 up at Northampton, should have been 2-0 up here, and they’ve gone away with nothing. Again, that could have been completely different.” (via The Bolton News).
Schumacher’s team haven’t won away since April 1st, when the Wanderers got their first win over local rivals Wigan Athletic in a decade. The run is now up to nine games, four draws and five defeats.
Whilst the Bolton boss is becoming tired of repeating himself, the pre-season goal of promotion appears to be further away than first thought. The former Plymouth Argyle manager believes being clinical is what’s needed for his team to get that first win, and made a key point of calling out striker Dalby’s misses.
“For the second goal, again, from where we are in control of possession, Sam Dalby’s got hold of it from a goal kick, decides to play it back and Adam Morley’s on the floor because he’s had a kick on his ankle. And then the next minute we’re open and it’s a scruffy goal.
“The ball bounced back to them after Ted made the save. A bit of luck, a bit of fortune, could have gone anywhere. But we are not making excuses.
“We’ve got to do better. We’ve got to score when we’re on top. Again, another away game, we’re on top of the game.
“We should be 2-0 up and go away with it, but we’re not.”
Trouble on The Road for Bolton
The capture of Schumacher to replace the outgoing Ian Evatt was a statement from Bolton last season, one that looked set to see them compete for promotion out of League One once again.
As of yet, it has never been plain sailing. Last season the Wanderers fell out of the play off picture dramatically, with most fans looking at the players Schumacher inherited. A summer clear out was in order and alongside new Technical Director, Fergal Harkin, a new squad was assembled.
At home, Bolton have looked the team they are billed to be, fast, direct and with serious technicality on the wings. On the road, things are significantly different. The Trotters sit 22nd in the away league table, having picked up just three points from six games.
Additionally, all but one of those games have included a late equaliser from Bolton, not exactly promotion form is it?
This week the Wanderers travel across the Pennines to face Huddersfield Town in a game that could define the future of Schumacher’s reign. Terriers boss, Lee Grant is under similar pressure to deliver promotion also and will be desperate for a result of their supposed rivals in pursuit of that goal.
What does remain simple for Bolton is this: Find a way to win on the road, or League One will be your home for season’s to come.
