Is Steven Schumacher “Afraid” Of The Future? Bolton Wanderers Boss Statement Made Wanderers To…

Is Steven Schumacher “Afraid” Of The Future? Bolton Wanderers Boss Statement Made Wanderers To…

Steven Schumacher hailed a ‘big win’ for Wanderers as they ended Leyton Orient’s winning run to move level with the Londoners in the play-off race, writes Pete Oliver.

For a third league game running Schumacher’s men came from behind to secure a victory which made it five wins from six games and a place outside the top six only on goal difference.

Orient led at the break but – helped with the half-time introduction of Aaron Collins from the bench – the Whites produced a superb second-half showing with goals to hand the O’s just a second league loss since November with a 2-1 triumph.

“I don’t want that to be the secret, no, but once again, the players have shown brilliant character,” said Schumacher after goals from John McAtee and Aaron Morley, from the penalty spot, capped another inspired fightback.

“I felt we played very well for the first 35 minutes. Towards the end of the first half, unfortunately, they got themselves ahead but, again, we didn’t panic.  At half-time we changed a few things up. 

“Give them credit, they’d come on to us a little bit and sorted their press out and then we changed it so it was more difficult for them in the second half and, again, credit to the players, they deserved the three points I felt. 

On paper it was our most difficult task because they were above us in the league. We’d played Reading, Shrewsbury and Crawley in the league, who were below us, so you would think it’s the most difficult game.

“As always there were only three points at stake and we knew how vital they were going to be. It’s a big win, but it’s just another three points towards the target. I’ve just caught a glimpse of the league table. It’s tight and there’s loads of good teams involved in the mix and we want to be one of them.” 

Another big finish had the Toughsheet Community Stadium bouncing with a ninth home success of the season giving further momentum to the play-off push under Schumacher.

And the head coach was full of praise for the supporters who have helped foster the feel-good factor propelling Wanderers forwards. 

“The fans were brilliant again,” Schumacher told Wanderers TV. “We don’t want to keep losing the first goal, but when you’ve seen it happen a couple of times,  then it’s easier for the fans to stick with us. 

“We didn’t play badly in the first half – we didn’t get booed off in the first half – but the players responded in the second half and the fans really stuck behind them.

“The noise towards the end was outstanding. As I said when I first came in, if we’re going to do well this year, we’re going to need this place in particular to be a fortress and the fans to be with us. 

“Once it is and the numbers are here, it should be a hard place to come and that’s what it’s proving to be. Let’s hope that can continue.” 

Watch the full post-match interview with the head coach on Wanderers TV