PARKY: WE MUST KEEP GOING
PAIN GAME: Stefan Johansen has a poor record in the play-offs SCRAP: Phil Parkinson BOLTON boss Phil Parkinson is urging his men to fight to the finish against Nottingham Forest today.
Wanderers are facing a second relegation to League One in two years but Parkinson said: “If it doesn’t go our way straight away, a goal goes against us or a referee decision goes to our opponents, we mustn’t let our heads drop.
“We’ve got to drive through right to end of the game. Even if it’s 1-0 down with five minutes to go, we can still score two in the last five minutes.
“We still have a good chance and we have to do our bit and hope other results go our way. All we can focus on is getting the result and hopefully a few favours are done for us elsewhere.
“We have an opportunity, one last bite of the cherry and we have to take it.
“I firmly believe we can pick a team capable of doing that and we need to show that enthusiasm.
“We’ve got to make sure there’s not a hangover from losing at Burton last week with the players and I believe that has gone. Forest have been playing a 4-3-3 but might make changes. It is more about focusing on what we feel we need to do to.”
Parkinson said winger Craig Noone is doubtful after suffering hip damage.
He added: “Craig’s had an injection during the week and hasn’t trained. We’ll assess him closer to the game.”
Versatile midfielder Ben Osborn was yesterday named Forest Player of the Season. BOBBY REID and Leon Clarke will battle it out for the Golden Boot as Bristol City take on Sheffield United.
Reid (below) has 19 league goals – one behind Derby’s Matej Vydra and Aston Villa’s striker Lewis Grabban with Blades hitman Clarke on 18 goals.
City boss Lee Johnson said: “It will be great for Bobby to end top scorer but he’ll need two or three.” Midfielder Dan Batty, 20, is set for his league debut for Hull
at Brentplaysford. quickly, he can score and he’s tenacious. He’s got a bright future.
Bees boss Dean Smith said: “We’ve taken a lot of plaudits from our supporters and it would be nice to go out on a high note in front of them.”
Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis reckons he has been rewarded for backing Stewart Downing (below).
The winger has played a key role in helping Boro reach the play-offs ahead of their trip to Ipswich. Pulis said: “Stewart has been fabulous. He pulls people out of position on the left side.” Ipswich legend George Burley has put his name forward for the Portman Road managerial vacancy.
Goalkeeper Cameron Dawson (below) is looking for a grandstand finish by Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls host Norwich and Dawson, 22, said: “We have done well in the last few games and it would be great to sign off with a really positive result.”
Canaries centre-back Grant Hanley is doubtful.
Millwall trio Mahlon Romeo, Ben Marshall and George Saville could miss out at home to Aston Villa who are unlikely to risk Iceland midfield ace Birkir Bjarnason before the play-offs.
Leeds are at home to QPR and boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “They are a high-energy team so the dynamic will be a lot different to what it was against Norwich City last week.”
Youngsters Charlie Owens and Glenn Phillips could make their Rangers debuts.
Relegated Sunderland could recall left-back Bryan Oviedo against champions Wolves.