Midfielder offers his assessment of the Whites' recent defeat to Norwich City
Darren Pratley has called for Wanderers to not dwell on their narrow defeat to Norwich and to bounce back at the first time of asking.
Cameron Jerome’s brace ensured that the Whites left Carrow Road empty handed on Friday evening, with Lee Chung-Yong’s late effort proving to be scant consolation in front of the Sky television cameras.
Speaking following the final whistle in East Anglia, the midfielder admitted his frustration at the result but reiterated the need for the team to put the defeat behind them immediately with a Macron double header against Cardiff and Wigan to come this week.
“It’s a disappointing night,” said Pratley. “We’d like to thank the fans who travelled down really – it’s a long journey here and back and I’m really disappointed for them that we couldn’t pick up any points.
“We are disappointed, but it’s gone now and we look forward to Tuesday against Cardiff – it’ll be another tough game, but hopefully we can get something out of it.
“It will be hard, but we’re in front of our own fans and we’re looking forward to trying to get a positive result.
“Ultimately our inability to convert chances in the final third has cost us against Norwich, but we were disappointed with the goals we conceded – one on the counter attack and then one from a set piece which is frustrating because we work on those in training.
“We can look back and wonder what could have been, but it’s gone now and we have to look forward.”
Having started Wanderers’ last four games, Pratley acknowledged the healthy competition that the club have for places within the midfield department, and stressed the importance of players not resting on their laurels when it comes to holding down their spot in the side.
“Being on the field and playing gives you confidence and it’s just nice to be out there – I’ll play wherever the team needs me to. I’m just enjoying playing,” he explained.
“Obviously the result isn’t what we wanted, but it feels good to be out on the pitch. I moved here to play football and the manager is giving me confidence in playing so I’m enjoying it.”
He continued: “We have some very good players at this club which is what you want and everybody is competing, especially in midfield where we have a lot of talented players, even without counting the younger lads in that.
“It’s always tough to stake your claim in the side, but it’s only a good thing for Bolton Wanderers that there is that competition for places
“It’s always healthy and it will help to get the best out of us, knowing our place isn’t guaranteed.”