Bolton Wanderers head coach Steven Schumacher was satisfied with a 0-0 draw against Stevenage last night, despite dropping points for the fifth time in six games.
The Trotters ended a four-game winless run on Saturday when they recorded a 1-0 victory over local rivals Wigan Athletic. It was a big result for the Greater Manchester-based side, with the majority of the other teams around them in League One failing to pick up three points.
A trip to fellow play-off chasers Stevenage last night offered an opportunity to open up a six point gap on seventh placed Luton Town. However, like the majority of teams that have visited the Lamex Stadium this season, they found themselves frustrated in front of goal.
Schumacher Satisfied With ‘Hard-Earned Point’
Bolton crafted just six shots on goal at Boro and despite having four shots on target, generated an xG of only 0.21. In contrast, Stevenage’s expected goals sat at 1.05, thanks in part to Chem Campbell’s late chance that was cleared off the line by Wanderers attacker Sam Dalby.
Schumacher’s side now sit six points behind Lincoln City in that final automatic promotion spot, with the Imps having played a game less. Despite that, the head coach was satisfied with the point, even if he thought his side could have nicked it if they’d found the early breakthrough. Speaking after the game, the ex-Plymouth Argyle boss said:
“It was a hard-earned point, definitely. Sometimes here, on this pitch, not a lot happens. All the games I’ve watched are from at home, there were very little clear-cut chances.
“You’ve still got to play football, which I felt for 25 minutes we did and we were really good.
“If we scored in that opening spell, when we were on top, then we’d probably go on and win the game.
“The longer that it went on, the more difficult it became and you could see a bit of tiredness kicking in from both teams really.
“And in the end, it was a bit of a scrap when the weather kicked in as well, but it’s another point.”
Points Dropped, But Schumacher Is Correct
Stevenage have fallen away slightly in recent weeks. A strong start to the campaign saw them firmly nestled in the automatic promotion places, but last night’s result means they have now picked up just one victory in their last 10 league outings.
Still, Alex Revell’s side are incredibly tough to beat in front of their own supporters, having lost just once at the Lamex Stadium all season. That came last month against league leaders Cardiff City.
In isolation, this is a good, solid point for Bolton. However, their longer term form has been disappointing.
They now have two home games against teams at the wrong end of the table, which is the perfect opportunity to put the pressure on those above them. Failure to pick up at least four points though would surely put them at risk of falling out of the top six.