Blackpool Boss Steve Bruce Gave His “Final Verdict” On Bolton Wanderers Clash, And He Boost Of Victory But He Didn’t Know The… 

Steve Bruce hopes his Blackpool side can kick off their “big week of the season” with a win against Wanderers.

The Seasiders are aiming to keep their play-off hopes alive and currently find themselves seven points off the top six.

Bruce’s side won 2-0 at Kevin Nolan’s Northampton last weekend and Bruce took plenty of encouragement from the performance.

“We have played well of late,” he told the club channels. “I didn’t think we deserved to lose against Orient but certainly last week, away from home again, we were very comfortable and easily the better team.

“I hope we can get to those levels again. We will need to because Bolton are coming to town. We all know that is a big game and big challenge ahead of us, so let’s look forward to it.

“It gives us a bit of confidence and I think the team know that they are playing well. Just at the right time, we are playing well and have got everybody fit.

“We have a full squad to choose from and these are the big games. This week is the big week of the season, can we keep the season alive?

“We have somehow managed to do that over the last couple of weeks so let’s see if we can the result.”

Wanderers came from behind to secure a dramatic late victory when the sides met at the Toughsheet Community Stadium earlier in the season.

When asked about the local rivalry, Bruce replied: “It’s gone on even before I was around! We all remember ’53 (FA Cup final) and all the rest of it.

“There is always going to be a bit of needle. They are down the road, there is always going to be a history between the clubs which is never going to go away.

“A big game to look forward to, the supporters will enjoy it from both clubs and let’s hope it’s a good spectacle.

“(Steven Schumacher) has inherited a decent group of players. I always thought Bolton are going to be there or thereabouts.

“Another club steeped in history and tradition so it is not surprising that they are making a fist of it. They will be a tough nut to crack.”