Phil Parkinson - Perfect way to cap the week

Manager reflects on ending a positive week of pre-season training in Scandinavia with victory at Helsingor

Phil Parkinson says Bolton Wanderers’ victory over FC Helsingor was a good way to round off the club’s pre-season training camp in Scandinavia.

After a week training at their base in Malmo, Wanderers made the journey across the Oresund Bridge to face Danish second tier side FC Helsingor.

And goals from Gary Madine and Jamie Proctor secured the win at Helsingor Stadion, with the manager happy with his side’s application.

“It was a tough game,” the manager told bwfc.co.uk. “Helsingor are a very good side at this level and they passed the ball very well. A few teams from England have played here in the past and struggled, so we knew it would be difficult.

“We got off to an excellent start with a terrific goal from Gary Madine. The ref then gave a mysterious penalty to them. I’m not sure anyone knew why it was given. After that period there wasn’t really too much goalmouth action.

“We picked up again in the second half, stuck at it and got the winner in the end. It’s always good when a striker comes to the club and gets a goal in his first game.

 “A lot of it is about fitness at this stage. The two teams we put out in each half didn’t have a great balance about them, but that wasn’t necessarily what we were looking for. The lads came into the game off the back of a really tough week and I’m really pleased with how everything has gone so far.

“After the week of training, the lads came into today’s game with a bit of fatigue. There’s always an element of risk with that, but I felt we handled it really well. 

“The attitude has been really good throughout the week. We’re still working out our best systems and which players suit those systems, but that’s what pre-season is all about.

“It was good to see some Bolton fans at the game too. I had a bit of a chat to them throughout the afternoon and it was nice for them to get to see an away win, even if it was only in a friendly.

“We now move onwards and upwards. We’ll head back to England and we’re looking forward to continuing the good work we’ve started.”

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