Sport

Bolton MUST ‘learn how to defend a lead’, demands Dougie Freedman as Wanderers throw away win again

By Tom Belger

Dougie Freedman has called for a change in system when his Bolton Wanderers side take the lead after they let another lead slip during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Ipswich.

The results means Bolton are still without a home league win this season after throwing away a lead for the fifth time this campaign.

Freedman now feels he might have to change Bolton’s approach when they go a goal up to help his players out.

“The performance is there and the players are organised, but we have to learn how to defend a lead,” Freedman told the club’s website.

“You can maybe accept losing a lead once or twice, but it’s happened to us five times now. That’s the frustrating thing. When we go a goal up we have to change our approach, mind-set and system.”

David McGoldrick equalised for Ipswich after Medo Kamara had given Wanderers the lead from a well-struck free-kick and Freedman praised the Sierra Leone midfielder’s performance.

“We took a deserved lead. It was nice to see Medo get his goal and I feel he had a good game. He and Jay Spearing looked very competitive,” said Freedman.

“Medo stood up to a big physical challenge and I believe he’ll be a firm fans’ favourite for many years to come.”

Freedman also urged fans to be patient as his young side look to learn the lessons from Saturday’s draw in time for next weekend’s game at Bournemouth.

“I was pleased with the fans today. We’re trying to build a young, new team here and they stuck with us throughout the match.

“Win, lose or draw we’re always ready to go again. We’ll be back in the training ground first thing Monday morning. 

“People are telling me it is five games unbeaten, but it doesn’t feel like that. What I do feel is that we’re slowly turning the corner. We just need to make sure that when we take that lead we can hold on a little bit longer.”

Image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.

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