Manager's Watford reaction

"We need to believe in ourselves and kick on from winning positions to go and secure the points," says Freedman

Dougie Freedman says Wanderers must learn to see out games from winning positions after his side were edged out by the odd goal in three against Watford at Vicarage Road.

Bolton took a first-half lead in Hertfordshire after Marvin Sordell converted a 32nd minute penalty against his former club, only for Matej Vydra to level four minutes later.

And in an evenly contested affair, the hosts bagged the all-important goal midway through the second period when Almen Abdi stabbed an effort through a ruck of players into the Bolton net.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Freedman said: “Our game-plan was to contain Watford and we certainly did achieve that in the first half. They are a very good side and are doing well at the moment. 

“In the first half we limited their chances on goal, pressured them high up the park and frustrated them. Our passing and movement was good and quickly regained the ball when we lost possession. 

“When we took the lead I don’t think anyone could say it was against the run of play. It was a good penalty from Marvin and my only disappointment was that we conceded an equaliser so quickly.

“In the second half we looked to build on our first half display. It was pretty even, and again, we dealt with their threats well.

“I believe we should have put more pressure on their goal. We didn’t do that in the second half as we would have liked.

“We need to believe in ourselves and kick on from winning positions to go and secure the points. 

“I was able to bring on Craig Davies and Steve De Ridder, two of our recent signings, and I thought that they both looked lively. 

“We know we are a team that are capable of picking up a run of results that can spring us away. Over the last four games we have performed well and we are showing signs of the side that I know we can be.

“We just need to make sure that we stay together and bring that consistency into our game week in week out. We are focused on what we have to achieve and we won’t lose that.”
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