Headline: Bolton Wanderers Coach Reflects on 3-1 Loss to Derby County
Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher addressed BBC Sport after his team’s 3-1 defeat to Derby County.
“If you are the home team and the away team has taken control of the first 45 minutes, like we did and got ourselves in front and had big chances, you are obviously going to go into your dressing room to say we need a reaction now. That happens every week up and down the country,” he noted.
However, Schumacher emphasized a crucial moment that turned the game. “What really gives them a lifeline is if you switch off in the first minute and you don’t track a runner and somebody taps the ball in from a yard out,” he said.
He pointed out that the early goal energized the Derby crowd, as many fans were contemplating a different outcome at halftime. “As soon as that goal goes in it gives the crowd a huge lift because everyone in the crowd had been stood there at half-time thinking this could be another one. But unfortunately it wasn’t for us.”
Reflecting on the team’s recent struggles, Schumacher said, “It kills us because that is two games we have thrown away. We did it against Bristol City on Saturday when we were well the better team and got beat. And tonight for large parts, 80-odd minutes we were the dominant team and got beat. It hurts and it stings, but that’s football and we have to get on with it.”
