Ian Evatt insists there’s still work to be done as Wanderers look to close in on a place in the play-offs.
The Whites face Accrington Stanley at the University of Bolton Stadium tonight knowing that five points from their remaining three games will guarantee a top-six finish and a play in the promotion shoot-out.
Wanderers are unbeaten in seven games and face a Stanley side fighting against the drop after a four-match losing run.
But Evatt will demand no let-up from his players as they look to back up Saturday’s victory over Shrewsbury at the University of Bolton Stadium ahead of another home game against Fleetwood Town on Saturday.
“We’ve done really good things at home, but the job’s not done,” said the Wanderers’ boss, whose side will be seeking a 14th league success of the season at the UniBol against the Reds.
“We need to get together, stick together and back the team and the team will do their very best to get the points we need to get into the play-offs and then who knows?
“What we need to guard against is expectancy and complacency. There’s certainly none of that in this dressing room. We know this is a really challenging game and we have to be fully focused to get what we need.
“We should never view any game as a given. This is far from that. We need to make sure we are concentrated, make sure we can match everything they can throw us and then step up to the plate with our quality.”
Wanderers have spent virtually all of the season inside the top six as they look to try and secure a second promotion in three seasons under Evatt.
And the manager wants everyone connected with the club – including the fans – to cherish the challenge of competing at the top end of the table as his Papa Johns Trophy-winning side continues to bring the good times back to Bolton.
“Now is not the time to back off. Now is the time to put the foot on the gas and keep going as best we can,” Evatt added.
“We’ve earned it. We’ve work very hard. We’ve progressed. Now we’re on the home straight, it’s time to kick on and not relax.
“It is very much in our hands, but as a football club we need to stay patient, stick together and hopefully we can get there. We’ve got to embrace it and we can all play a part in that. We have to be calm and be relaxed.
“The fans need to back us and be calm and relaxed and get behind the team and we’ll do what we can to get the points we require to make the play-offs and then it’s anyone’s game.
“But you’ve got to be in it to win it and we’ll do the best we can to make sure we’re in there.”