Bolton Wanderers head coach Steven Schumacher was left ruing a missed opportunity last night after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Rotherham United at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The Trotters began the day in the final play-off spot in League One and knew a third successive victory would keep them in control of their fate. It was a largely one-sided display, with the home side peppering the Millers’ goal with 36 shots, but they somehow found a way to lose the game.
With Reading winning 3-1 away at Shrewsbury Town, Bolton dropped out of the top six and must recover ahead of a tricky run in. Their final five games see them face difficult trips to Barnsley, Lincoln City and Peterborough United, whilst they host automatic promotion chasers Wycombe Wanderers before facing Stevenage on the final day.
Schumacher Fails To Hide Disappointment
Following the game, Schumacher was in a despondent mood, claiming they’ve ‘messed up’. Speaking to official club media, the former Stoke City boss said:
“We missed an opportunity, that’s what we’ve done. It was our game in hand and if we’d have won that game tonight then it gives us a right good chance. Reading won as well, so we still would have had to win the next game.
“That’s still the case, but now it’s advantage Reading because we’ve messed up, so we have to respond from that. As I’ve said all along from this group, they’re a really good group and they give us everything they’ve got.
“They’re trying. I don’t think they’ll give up and we certainly won’t give up. We’ll go to Barnsley and try and find a way to beat them. But we’ve got to find a way, it’s just not good enough to be so dominant and not win. It’s just mad. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, but there you go.”
Writer’s View
Rarely will you witness a performance as dominant as Bolton’s last night that has resulted in a defeat. The fact they came out of that game with nothing is mind blowing and one has to wonder how costly that could be at the end of the season. Reading have the easier run in on paper, facing bottom half teams such as Northampton Town, Mansfield Town and Bristol Rovers. Schumacher is absolutely correct that this was a missed opportunity, and it could be one that comes back to haunt them.
