Rob Holding calls for Bolton to build on MK Dons win

Academy graduate speaks to the club's website following the Whites' Sky Bet Championship victory over MK Dons

After scoring his first senior goal for the club in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over MK Dons, academy graduate Rob Holding has called for Wanderers capitalise on the three important points secured against Karl Robinson's side in the coming weeks.

Opening the scoring in the clash early on, the centre-half put in an impressive performance alongside Dorian Dervite in the heart of defence as goals from Darren Pratley and Shola Ameobi made sure of the result at Macron Stadium.

And speaking to bwfc.co.uk following the final whistle, the 20-year-old believes that the win will prove to be just the tonic needed for Neil Lennon’s side.

“It’s a massive three points which pulls us back in touch with the other teams, so we’ve just got to build on that hopefully.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to do that in the FA Cup this coming week and kick on from there.

“It was more or less the same team who played against Eastleigh and all the lads were a credit to the club. They played really well, fought for each other and got the deserved win.”

And reflecting on his maiden goal for the first team, Holding’s delight was clear to see.

“It meant a lot to me, to score,” he said. “I didn’t really know what to do because I literally tapped it in and before I knew it, Gaz had jumped on me. 

“I didn’t have chance to think of a celebration or anything, but it helped to settle the team’s nerves a little bit with an early goal to build on too.

“Getting to 2-0 at half time was a big boost, but it was just about being professional in the second half and trying to stop them from having a sniff really.”

He continued: “Our second goal was crucial – it took the pressure off us a bit because we knew that they’d come at us at the start of the second half because they’re scrapping as well near the bottom.

“They did eventually nick one, but then Shola popped up again and crushed their spirit a lot – most of their players’ heads dropped when that one went in and we were able to see the game out.”

Despite having figured at both right-back and centre-half since coming into the first-team set-up, the youngster admitted that he is simply happy to be out on the field of play, figuring for the side with whom he has been on the books of since the age of eight.

“Although central defence is my more natural position, if the gaffer wants me to play right-back I’m more than happy to do it. I just want to be in the team at the end of the day.

“I get on with Dorian really well – we’re always talking to each other throughout the game and helping each other out. It’s just a balancing act really – it’s important to have a strong partnership and build on that.

“This win is massive though – it brings us back into contention a lot more and with the teams around us struggling, we know what a couple of wins could do for our situation. We’ve just got to build on it now in the next few weeks.

“It’s been a massive boost for both the players and fans – the supporters have been fantastic and we’ll all keep fighting together.”

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