Trevor Looks Ahead

Trevor Brooking has admitted he has been a nervous man as the Bolton game got closer.

The normally unflappable Trevor says:

"The Bolton game is absolutely massive - and as it has got nearer I think I have got more and more nervous each day.

"Sam Allardyce said it was the biggest game in Bolton's Premiership history and everyone is conscious of the importance of it.

"If we win this one, with a flurry of matches coming up, it will make such a big difference to the confidence factor, and that mental attitude, which is so crucial.

"When we emerge from these four games we will have a clearer picture, and I think we need at least seven points from them.

"At the moment a gap is developing from above the bottom four - and we have to claw that back to get within touching distance of that cluster of teams.

"We need a bit of luck, a fortunate goal, a deflection, a mistake from the opposition, to give us a lifeline.

"Then, perhaps, the crowd will get lifted, and will play a key part.

"As we saw against Middlesbrough and Southampton, the spirit and effort is still there and now we need the springboard to kick in for the holiday games.

"To be frank, they are all cup ties now, and after Bolton it will be the half way mark, so we can't say it has just been a bad start.

"With the ability in the team, if we match the opposition for effort, commitment, aggression and tackling, we should have the individual technique to see us through."