Read back the key points covered by the manager following Saturday's draw with the Bantams
Wanderers' bounced back from last weekend's defeat to Walsall by recording a goalless draw with Bradford City on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking to bwfc.co.uk after the final whistle against the Bantams meanwhile, here is what manager Phil Parkinson had to say...
On the top of the table clash and coming up against his former team...
It was a hard fought game and was always going to be nip and tuck. There was a lot at stake for both teams as they are both up there and there were just over 4,000 Bradford fans. After myself and the rest of the staff being there it was always going to have an edge to it.
There wasn’t much given away from two hard working and determined teams. You always want to win but we’ll take the clean sheet today and build on that point.
When you have that amount of supporters behind the goal it will have an effect (on the Bradford players) but it was a hard fought game. Both (Josh) Vela and Liam Trotter missed training this week (virus). The determination of the lads, the way we stuck at it and gave everything was good to see. The clean sheet mentality is important as everybody knows as we go along through the season. We need to build on that point today.
On his team’s solid defensive display...
They had possession but apart from Marshall on the break I thought we handled them well. I was pleased with the resilience we showed. The ability to stand strong as a team is important and I felt we showed that today.
On the injuries that are affecting his options up front...
Zach had a problem late in the week with his glute and there was a concern with that. So he had a late fitness test and we put him on the bench. As we all know we are lacking options with Anderson, Madine and Clayton out and we desperately need those players back. Keshi will be available on Tuesday to give us that impetus to change a game.
On the effort from his players...
I thought the effort and determination from the lads was excellent today. I thought we stood strong. We are still building things gradually. I said earlier in the week that we are trying to put the pride back into wearing the Bolton shirt and I thought that was there today.
On facing neighbours Rochdale on Tuesday...
It’s a short turnaround for Rochdale on Tuesday. We have a few bumps and bruises and a few of them are feeling a bit under the weather. But they’ll get the right medication so there’s no excuse and we’ve got to make sure everybody’s right.
It’s a local derby and we’ve got to be ready for another game which will be similar to today’s. Bolton Wanderers are a big scalp in this division. We’ve seen that already when teams come here. They raise their game and Bradford certainly did that.
On opposing teams raising their performance levels when they come to Macron Stadium...
I felt the first couple of home games we started slowly but today we started really quickly. We’re discussing that with the lads as we go along that teams will come along to this stadium and raise their game. We’ve got to be ready for that and I think we are getting better.
On Proctor’s hard-working performance...
I thought Proccy got better as the game went on. It was a big game for him because he was at Bradford last year. You can’t fault him for effort. He gave it absolutely everything and ran himself into the ground. While the other players around him were tiring, he got stronger and stronger.