Defensive strongman Will Aimson is hoping to extend Wanderers’ mean streak as he prepares to face his former club.
Wanderers meet League One leaders Plymouth Argyle on the back of a four-match unbeaten league run either side of Christmas.
Aimson has been an ever-present during that spell which has brought Ian Evatt’s men two wins and two draws to stay firmly in the top six.
And since he paired up with George Johnston and Eoin Toal for a 2-0 win over Exeter City, Wanderers have conceded just once in four games.
“It’s the old saying things change very quickly in football,” said Aimson, whose start against Exeter was his first in the league since October.
“Firstly, it’s good to see Rico back fit and healthy and back involved and great to have Geth back. They are a big miss. Geth and Rico are big players at this football club.
“But we’ve got good depth. It’s good that there’s belief in myself and Toaly and Jonno. It was probably a bit makeshift and a bit worrying to put us three together for some fans.
“But on the training ground and among the boys I think we all know we’re capable of handling it and I think we’ve shown that. Toaly has been brilliant since he’s come in and Jonno has been consistent this season.
“I’ve felt solid and I’ve enjoyed having the two either side of me. I feel we’ve gelled and I think that’s showed in results.
“We’ve played teams in and around us and we’ve got results and probably done enough to have won the games we haven’t won, so it’s been enjoyable.”
Aimson has been the senior member of the recent three-man central defensive line-up with close to a decade of professional football under his belt.
The 28-year-old, who spent two years at Plymouth before joining Wanderers 18 months ago, has led by example in stepping into the breach as Santos and Jones have worked their way back towards fitness.
Both returned to the bench at Barnsley last Monday and with Wanderers starting to build up competition for places again, they will be looking to maintain their momentum in a mouth-watering meeting against Argyle at the University of Bolton Stadium this afternoon (Saturday).
“You don’t have to be the captain to be a leader,” added Aimson.
“If you can have five or six of them on the pitch it really helps and I feel we’ve got that kind of team spirit and energy at the moment where we’re grinding out and we’re hard to beat and enjoying it.
“Saturday is another exciting game. We’ve got a good and a tough run of games over this period but it’s another good one for us to go and put a performance in.
“They are obviously a team in form who are top of the league so it’s one we’ll look forward to.
“As players these are the games you want to be playing in. It’s going to be a good occasion, but I believe we’ve got enough to go and take the points.
“Barnsley’s a tough place to go so picking up a win there is huge for momentum and belief for everybody so there’s no reason why we can’t do it again on Saturday at home with our crowd behind us.”