Defender glad to be back at the Reebok after successive away games
Alex Baptiste is hoping home advantage can work in Bolton’s favour ahead of this weekend’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Having played two away matches in quick succession last week, the Trotters return to BL6 this Saturday full of confidence after extending their recent unbeaten run to five games.
In their last home fixture the Whites secured an emphatic 4-0 victory over local rivals Blackburn Rovers.
And, after following that up with a 5-1 victory against Leeds United before Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Derby County, Baptiste is hopeful that Dougie Freedman’s side’s recent form continues by claiming all three points against the Seagulls.
“It’s good to be playing at home again,” Baptiste told bwfc.co.uk. “Brighton are a very good side and they gave us a pasting down there last time we played them but confidence is high here.
“If we can play like that and get some attacking football going then hopefully we can get the three points.”
Following a defensive reshuffle against Derby in midweek, Baptiste switched flanks to left-back with debutant Alan Hutton coming in on the right-hand side.
Able to fill in anywhere across the back-line, Baptiste revealed that he is happy to play wherever he is needed.
“I just try the best I can and do my best for the team,” Baptiste said. "Wherever the Gaffer wants to play me I’ll try my best and that’s all I can do.
“I am self-critical and always analyse my own performances. It went okay against Derby. I got a lot of help from Tim, obviously him being on the left side and left-footed.
“The back four were a different class. Hutts [Hutton] came in and was absolutely unbelievable. It was very pleasing.”
Baptiste continued: “Like the gaffer said, two or three months ago we might have crumbled. The team spirit is coming, the togetherness is coming and the confidence is coming as well.
“Attacking-wise we were not at our best but it was a fantastic team performance and a massive point for us.
“It is hard playing two away games on the Saturday and Tuesday, but four points from the last two; you’d take that all day.”
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