Ahead of Tuesday night's Carabao Cup first round clash with the Trotters, we caught up with goalkeeper Jack Walton.
ON THE OPENING DAY
“Going to Cardiff away in the first game of the season was always going to be a tough start. Mick McCarthy always sets his teams up well, but it was a deserved result and even better having our fans behind us again.
“We had a great season but we missed their presence last year, so it’s great for all of the lads, knowing they are back with us cheering us all on.
“My dad and family never miss a game but for a full season they couldn’t be there. So I know what it’s like for our fans and it was good to see some kind of normality again.”
ON THE NEW SETUP
“Everything changes, but I’m used to it now. Different styles of football, different training regimes, trying to get used to the gaffer’s philosophy.
“It can be as simple as what time you’re in for training, is it a morning or afternoon session. These things usually differ depending on the management.
“But this gaffer realised we’d been great last year so he’s not ripped anything up. It’s just little tweaks here and there, trying to get more balance and playing a little more football.”
BATTLE FOR THE JERSEY
“For me I’ve just got to carry on doing what I’m doing. We’ve had a great battle for that spot. He’s an excellent goalkeeper and it’s about pushing him.
“We both do that. We push each other, but we back and support each other too. I’ll be doing all I can to get the shirt as will he.”
CARABAO CUP HOPES
“It’s a chance for a cup run, as we’ve had previously. It’s also another game of football and we are here to win. It’s another opportunity to play and some of the lads who didn’t play on Saturday will hopefully get their chance.
“So it’s a chance to play, and a chance for the gaffer to see what we can do, and for us to show we can do what he wants from us on the pitch.”
ON BOLTON WANDERERS
“I’m a local Bolton lad so it’s good to go home and a chance for my mates to come and watch. I learnt a lot when at the academy there, it was a good learning curve.
“But I knew it was the right thing to do when I did leave Bolton. My career backs that up.
“If I play it will be my first game in front of fans since Walsall away! So I’m looking forward to it if I get my chance.”
