New recruit pleased Wanderers kept their first clean sheet of the season at Blackpool.
It was touch and go for manager Dougie Freedman whether or not he could include Kevin McNaughton in the Bolton match day squad for the game at Bloomfield Road, with the full back awaiting international clearance from FIFA after his loan move from Cardiff City.
However, with three hours to spare before the game got underway, the Whites received good news from football’s governing body permitting the on loan defender to play against the Tangerines.
Putting in a whole hearted display at right back, McNaughton reflected back on his debut for the club and how he hopes his new side can go one better at the weekend against Birmingham City.
“It was a good to keep a clean sheet and we did well in spells,” said the 31-year-old. "We soaked up the pressure well and overall I thought we created the best opportunities and we were unlucky not to score at the end.
“Blackpool have looked good this season and they played well in spells but then again so did we. We didn’t take our chances when we were on top which is crucial in the Championship because there are fine margins in this division. At the end of the day we were unlucky not to get all three points.
“I only saw the game at the weekend and we seemed a bit flat and we just need an injection. I thought Liam Feeney did well against Blackpool and he used his pace well in the first half.
“It is good to be back playing and I enjoyed playing the full 90 minutes on Tuesday night. Overall it was a decent performance.
“We are ready to go again at the weekend against Birmingham City and fingers crossed we actually get the result we are looking for.
“The team has struggled to get their first win but we were knocking on the door against Blackpool and hopefully if we do that on Saturday the first three points will come.”
However, with three hours to spare before the game got underway, the Whites received good news from football’s governing body permitting the on loan defender to play against the Tangerines.
Putting in a whole hearted display at right back, McNaughton reflected back on his debut for the club and how he hopes his new side can go one better at the weekend against Birmingham City.
“It was a good to keep a clean sheet and we did well in spells,” said the 31-year-old. "We soaked up the pressure well and overall I thought we created the best opportunities and we were unlucky not to score at the end.
“Blackpool have looked good this season and they played well in spells but then again so did we. We didn’t take our chances when we were on top which is crucial in the Championship because there are fine margins in this division. At the end of the day we were unlucky not to get all three points.
“I only saw the game at the weekend and we seemed a bit flat and we just need an injection. I thought Liam Feeney did well against Blackpool and he used his pace well in the first half.
“It is good to be back playing and I enjoyed playing the full 90 minutes on Tuesday night. Overall it was a decent performance.
“We are ready to go again at the weekend against Birmingham City and fingers crossed we actually get the result we are looking for.
“The team has struggled to get their first win but we were knocking on the door against Blackpool and hopefully if we do that on Saturday the first three points will come.”